Join us for our next Neighbourwoods speaker series in the Atrium at the ECFTA! Our presenter is Shaun Booth and he will be talking about the The Beauty and Benefits of a Natural Garden.
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OIL & COLD WAX INTRO WITH CAROLYN SHARP
Join artist Carolyn Sharp to explore the expressive medium of oil and cold wax.
Cold wax (beeswax) creates a depth in paintings that is unlike any other. Using beeswax, learn how to build rich layers and experiment with tools like palette knives, brayers, and silicone wedges.
Carolyn will guide you towards creating atmospheric and colourful abstract paintings, and share insights on how to create compelling compositions and creating colour harmony.
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Come enjoy the talented David Francey in the beautiful new atrium at the Elora Centre for the Arts! David’s concerts are legendary and this intimate concert in a gorgeous setting is highly anticipated by many local fans. Winner of four Juno awards and three Canadian Folk Music Awards, David’s beautiful song-writing and stories will enchant all who are able to be there.
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INTRO TO PYROGRAPHY WITH HEATHER MARTIN
Spend a relaxed afternoon with artist Heather Martin and discover the expressive, hands-on art of pyrography. In this introductory workshop, you’ll learn the fundamentals of writing with fire as you explore mark‑making, texture, shading, and safe tool use. Guided step‑by‑step, you’ll create your own custom wood‑burned charcuterie board—beautiful, functional, and uniquely yours!
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5-WEEK SATURDAY DRAWING SERIES FOR 8+
April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16
Saturday mornings just got wilder! Our ongoing Kids Animal Sketch Series with artist and educator Donna Hull invites young creators to grow their skills week after week. Each session builds on core drawing fundamentals while introducing new creatures, new challenges, and tons of hands‑on practice.
Whether your young artist is new to sketching or ready to level up, nothing beats the thrill of SKETCHING LIVE ANIMALS as they learn, explore, and create!
A new coffee bar pop-up is arriving at the Elora Centre for the Arts - and we'd love to have you join us for the launch weekend! The concept brings coffee and culture together in the heart of the gallery and atrium within the new spaces at the Arts Centre. In partnership with Mr. Macaw Coffee, this welcoming addition offers visitors the perfect opportunity to grab a drink on the go or slow down and savour the experience - whether exploring the gallery or relaxing in the outdoor spaces surrounding the Arts Centre.
Free Event
CREATING FUSED GLASS WALL ART WITH STEPH HOWE
Create a unique kiln‑formed, two‑dimensional fused‑glass piece with glass artist Steph Howe!
Design a piece for your wall that plays with layered colour, texture, and luminous transparency. A perfect introduction to working with glass!
BIRDS OF BECOMING WITH ELORA SCULPTOR CAROLE CHALOUPKA
1 ticket available! This class is also available May 31
Birds of Becoming is a hands-on sculpture workshop centred on making a bird form as a container for personal reflection and becoming.
Professional sculptor Carole Chaloupka approaches sculpture as a meaningful creative practice—one in which the act of shaping an object by hand allows form, intention, and meaning to emerge together.
Let's gather in the gallery, surrounded by the art of Phil Irish's exhibition 'Companion Animals' and be inspired and connected through his story and sharing of his creative practice.
Phil Irish’s illustrated lecture mixes travelogue, creative insight, and ecological understanding. Join him on the tall ship Antigua, traveling with an international roster of artists. Glimpse the creative processes - from sketchbooking, research, experimentation and creation – that reveal how Irish chases his creative intuitions.
Free Event
Come visit the new coffee bar pop-up at the Elora Centre for the Arts! The concept brings coffee and culture together in the heart of the gallery and atrium within the new spaces at the Arts Centre. In partnership with Mr. Macaw Coffee, this welcoming addition offers visitors the perfect opportunity to grab a drink on the go or slow down and savour the experience – whether exploring the gallery or relaxing in the outdoor spaces surrounding the Arts Centre.
Designed to enhance your visit, the coffee bar will operate during regular gallery hours (Spring Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM and Sunday, 12–4 PM).
Free Event
Dive beneath the surface and uncover the mysteries of the underground through art! Young artists, explore the hidden mysteries of underneath ecosystems and creatures as they emerge for the spring awakening.
Let’s bring these unseen worlds to life using our powerful imaginations during this full-on Friday with artists Eileen MacArthur and Stephanie Lines-Toohill!
The Schoolhouse Arts Collective (SHAC) will be showcasing original, small-scale artwork by 12 of their artists throughout the weekend. Stop by to find one-of-a-kind pieces and meet the artists at their 'Tiny Art Show & Sale' event.
Free Event
PUPPET MAKING WITH SOPHIA DELUCA
Jump into the world of Puppetry with prop-maker Sophia Deluca and discover how design shapes what a puppet can do—talk, walk, dance, or show emotions. In this playful 3-hour workshop, junior puppeteers will experiment with creating voices, personalities, and styles that match their characters. It’s a hands‑on, imagination‑powered workshop where every artist will bring puppets to life in their own unique way!
INTUITIVE TAPESTRY WEAVING WITH DIANNE KC!
Step into a world of color, texture, and creative freedom with textile artist Dianne Kennedy Cruttenden. This hands-on workshop invites you to break free from traditional weaving rules and let your instincts lead the way!
LIFE DRAWING IN THE ATRIUM. 3-HOUR SELF-GUIDED SESSIONS WITH LIVE MODEL
Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for self-directed life drawing centered on creative flow, shared space, and working from the human form. This is a welcoming evening designed to support both personal practice and community connection. Come draw, paint and reconnect with your practice alongside fellow artists!
ARTFUL AGEING. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS IN MAY PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO REGISTER FOR JUNE CLASSES
Celebrate creativity, connection and community every Wednesday at the Arts Centre! Beginner-friendly art projects designed for older adults that embrace creative freedom and collaboration in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere!
Join us in the atrium at the Arts Centre for an inspiring artist talk with Wayne Simpson.
In this deeply personal presentation, Wayne will guide audiences through his evolution as a photographer, sharing how both photography and video became vital tools for navigating life’s challenges. Through storytelling and visual reflection, he reveals how creative practice can foster connection - to one’s craft, to culture, and to both mental and physical well-being.
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Join glass artist Steph Howe for an introduction to the art of fused glass and create a beautiful set of two sculpted dishes. In this hands‑on workshop, participants learn the essentials of cutting and grinding glass, then work on a pre‑fused flat glass panel as their creative base.
A MOTHER’S DAY WOODBURNING RETREAT WITH HEATHER MARTIN
Spend Mother’s Day slowing down, creating, and sharing time together in nature. with artist Heather Martin. This day-retreat is an invitation to spend a day with your mom, close friend, or come as you are to gather with others and enjoy a meaningful creative experience rooted in presence, gratitude, and connection!
A one-day original art show & sale, presented by the vast assortment of juried artists from this year's Elora Plein Air Festival!
In the gallery and atrium at the Elora Centre for the Arts | 75 Melville Street, Elora
Step into an original art showcase alive with colour and creativity. This one-day Show & Sale brings together artwork created en plein air over the previous four inspiring days each piece capturing a moment, a mood, and the beauty of painting outdoors in real time. The gallery will be buzzing with energy as walls fill with newly finished work, ready to be discovered by YOU!
Free Event
MOSAIC STAINED GLASS FOR ALL WITH STEPH HOWE
Immerse yourself in a world of color and light with glass artist Steph Howe. Discover the captivating world of stained glass —from cutting and shaping glass to assembling your very own luminous piece.
Whether you're new to stained glass, or just eager for some fresh creativity, this class is designed to be a relaxed afternoon of inspiration and fun!
INTRO TO BASKET WEAVING WITH DAVID GRIEVES OF WOVEN HUES
Join artisan David Grieves and craft a traditional piece of functional art from the WOVEN HUES NATURALS COLLECTION. Guided step‑by‑step, weave a clean, modern round basket in a refined two‑tone palette and timeless design.
Join us for an afternoon in the gallery to celebrate ReWild, an opening reception and chance to meet the artists behind this thoughtfully curated group exhibition. Featuring work that spans a range of mediums and approaches, ReWild is united by a deeply rooted connection to the rhythms, textures, and wisdom of the natural world.
We are thrilled to present Gina Jacklin, Angela Lane, Jana Osterman, and Christina Preece together in their first-ever group show in our gallery.
Free Event
MONET HAYSTACKS IMPRESSIONIST PAINTING WITH RICK WORTHINGTON
Painting Light! Step into the luminous world of Claude Monet and discover how colour can become your most expressive tool.
In this beginner-intermediate oil painting workshop, artists will investigate the techniques Claude Monet used to capture shifting light, fleeting moments, and atmospheric nuance, focusing especially on his iconic Haystacks series.
BIRDS OF BECOMING WITH ELORA SCULPTOR CAROLE CHALOUPKA
Birds of Becoming is a hands-on sculpture workshop centred on making a bird form as a container for personal reflection and becoming.
Professional sculptor Carole Chaloupka approaches sculpture as a meaningful creative practice—one in which the act of shaping an object by hand allows form, intention, and meaning to emerge together.
LIFE DRAWING IN THE ATRIUM. 3-HOUR SELF-GUIDED SESSIONS WITH LIVE MODEL
Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for self-directed life drawing centered on creative flow, shared space, and working from the human form. This is a welcoming evening designed to support both personal practice and community connection. Come draw, paint and reconnect with your practice alongside fellow artists!
ARTFUL AGEING. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS IN JUNE
Celebrate creativity, connection and community every Wednesday at the Arts Centre! Beginner-friendly art projects designed for older adults that embrace creative freedom and collaboration in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere!
Step into the curious and colourful world of expressing our natural through art! In this indoor-outdoor PA Friday, nature-loving artists will explore the beauty of plants and flowers + animals and insects.
Artists Eileen MacArthur and Stephanie Lines-Toohill will guide a day of learning how artists capture the magic of the natural world in art!
2-DAY RUG HOOKING WORKSHOP WITH CAITLIN BARRIE
THE STARRY NIGHT. POST-IMPRESSIONISM WITH RICK WORTHINGTON
Join artist Rick Worthington for this beginner to intermediate oil painting workshop, inspired by the Post‑Impressionist vision of Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Explore how Van Gogh used bold, directional brushstrokes and striking colour contrasts to infuse the night sky with movement and emotion.
2-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 5-12
Celebrate O-Canada and jump into July with a 2-day camp where creativity meets the first rays of summer!
This camp invites young artists to explore Canada-inspired craft and forest-themed art. Perfect for kicking off the summer break with imagination, friendship, and a splash of red and white!
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-12
Welcome to Wildwood Trailblazers, where creativity runs wild and imaginations blaze new trails!
Set deep in the heart of nature, this summer art camp invites young artists to explore the magic of making through paint, collage, assemblage, and more. All inspired by the wonders of the woods!
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 4-6
Forest Friends is a magical summer art camp of Nature and Nonsense! Where our youngest creators, ages 4–6 discover the joy of story-time, art & friend-making in the great outdoors.
Each day is a gentle adventure filled with kindness, colour, curiosity, and woodland wonder!
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-12
Junior Art Stars 7! Step into the summer camp spotlight at Art World Superstars.
This week, we will channel iconic artists like Pop icon Andy Warhol and Street-Art master Banksy and make our own mark on the world! Let’s celebrate the bold colors, big ideas, and the unforgettable styles of Contemporary Arts’ brightest Stars!
You are warmly invited to join us in the gallery for a special summer opening reception celebrating 'Interconnected', a new exhibition by Peterborough artist Stan Olthuis. Meet Stan in person as we officially welcome him to our space and explore the ideas behind his work.
Free Event
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 4-6
Step into a world of colour, creativity, and candy-coated imagination at Camp Candy Factory, the ultimate art camp for the sweetest of mini artists!
This playful summer adventure blends the joy of storytelling with the magic of art-making, where every day is a deliciously sweet surprise
4-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-12
Get ready to explore a world where size sparks creativity!
BIG ART-little art invites young artists to explore the power of scale and dive into extremes. From giant abstract paintings that stretch across canvases, to tiny insect illustrations that celebrate the beauty of things big and small.
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-12
Welcome aboard ocean Explorers! Join us for Ocean Odyssey, a summer camp week designed for artful adventures inspired by our big blue planet!
Come explore your deep-sea creativity and discover the wonders of the oceans through play and hands-on making.
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 4-6
Dive into a summer of art camp creativity! Underwater Worlds is a week where imagination swims free and every project is a splash of adventure.
This ocean-themed experience invites our newest campers, ages 4-6 to dip their toes into the mysteries of the deep through paint, sculpture, storytelling, and more.
5-DAY CAMP FOR AGES 7-12
Imagineering! A dynamo summer art camp that fuses curiosity and creativity. Explore the wonders of Art and Tech through playful experiments and expressive builds.
From designing kinetic sculptures to painting with light, campers will discover how innovation and artistry can go hand in hand. Get ready to dream big and make it real!
Summon a soft, squishy sidekick from the depths of your creative cauldron—let’s BREW UP A PAL with ALISA McRONALD! Let the colours swirl and the characters emerge with internationally exhibited textile artist Alisa McRonald!
TAPESTRY WEAVING WITH DIANNE KENNEDY CRUTTENDEN
Discover the quiet joy of tapestry weaving with fibre artist Dianne Kennedy Cruttenden and create your own hand-woven Canadian landscape. This workshop welcomes both beginners and experienced weavers into a relaxed, creative space that celebrate the land, sky, and beauty of our home-Canada.