Closing of the Muskoka Chautauqua Arts Festival
2025-08-10 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Windermere
Come out to Windermere on August 10th for the final day of the Muskoka Chautauqua Arts Festival!

Bala Plein Air at Moon River
2025-08-13 09:00 - 12:00
Pine Ridge Road Point is the spot for our Wednesday plein air session. Views on all three sides of the point of this lovely property on the Moon River on the lower side of Bala Falls.
DIRECTIONS: From the heart of Bala go south on Muskoka Road (Hwy #169) to Hwy #38. Just after turning you will see Pine Ridge Road (also the entrance to Jaspen Park). Specific directions and parking information will be sent to all Bala Plein Air subscribers.
WHAT TO BRING: Chair, easel, your own art supplies. There is a public washroom very nearby in Jaspen Park – about a 2 minute walk.
PALETTE SUGGESTIONS: Cyan Blue, Magenta, Cadmium Orange.
This is a private property of one of the Bala Plein Air artist members with many options to paint buildings, gardens, shorelines, water and trees. We are grateful for hosting our Wednesday here.

Painting with Jessica: Ojibway Island Sunset
2025-08-16 09:30 - 12:00 | Bobby Orr Community Centre, 7-17 Mary St,, Parry Sound,, ON P2A 1C8, Canada
Get ready for a fun morning of painting with Parry Sound artist Jessica Vergeer! This class is being held at the Bobby Orr Community Centre in Parry Sound on Saturday August 16 from 9:30am to 12pm. Registration is limited, so get some friends together and come as a group or don’t hesitate to come out on your own! This is a fun and supportive environment with a focus on art and creativity, first and foremost.
New to painting? Not a problem! This class is perfect for everyone, with Jessica leading you step-by-step through the process of painting this Ojibway Island Sunset scene in acrylic on canvas, from start to finish. All painting supplies are provided and you will leave this class with your finished 14×10 painting!
On the day of the class please arrive at the Bobby Orr Community Centre at least 15 minutes early and head upstairs to the Hart Trophy Room to check in. This room is accessible via elevator if required. Please note that this facility can be very busy on weekends, so please give yourself sufficient time to find parking and make your way to the class. We plan to start the class at 9:30am sharp. Please bring your own beverages or snacks if required.
Jessica’s painting classes are geared to an adult audience; registered minors 12 and older are welcome as long as they are also accompanied by a registered adult parent/guardian and can keep pace with the rest of the class.
Please note that all registrations for this event are first-come first-serve. No cancellation refunds or credit will be issued under any circumstance unless the event is canceled by the organizers. If you cannot attend due to a personal issue, you are welcome to send someone in your place if we are notified in advance.

Summer Art Pop Up Show with Muskoka Discovery Centre
2025-08-16 10:00 - 18:00 | Muskoka Discovery Centre, 275 Steamship Bay Road, Gravenhurst, Ontario, P1P 1Z9, Canada
Come out to the Muskoka Discovery Centre for their Summer Art Pop Up Shows! Schedule is listed below!
June 21st
July 19th
August 16th

Open from 10am-6pm.
More information to come soon.

Bala Plein Air at Hardy Lake Provincial Park
2025-08-20 08:30 - 11:30
8:30 AM to 11:30 AM *** note new time

WHAT TO EXPECT: A very popular spot for hikers and visitors to Muskoka at the same time as a favourite spot for artists. The trails, in part are well groomed while other parts are gnarly with roots and rocks. You can perch on a rock overlooking Hardy Lakes and catch the hues of lily pads near an outstretched granite edge. NOTE: this is an earlier start and finish time to allow ample travel time for an instructor-led plein air workshop in Bala 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

DIRECTIONS: 2346 Muskoka Road 169, Torrance. Between Bala and Gravenhurst. 9 minute drive from Bala, 16 minute drive from Gravenhurst Google Map here. Parking lot fills up but should be ok.
We will meet 500 metres in at the edge of Hardy Lake, many options, forest views, water’s edge, classic Muskoka granite and a wide variety of trees. Trails are wide, flat and well marked. See map below and for spot to meet for Plein Air as a group. For those who don’t want to walk that far in (500m) there are cool plein air swamps and marsh views only 100 steps in from the parking lot. See below for other views along the trail. Also see Trail map here if you want to make a day of it.

AMENITIES: Port-a-Pottee on site near parking lot. No buildings or food service. Bring your own water to keep hydrated.
WHAT TO BRING: Wear comfortable Hiking shoes. Some of the trail is paved, gravel or flat stones. Other parts are soft dirt, clear and and covered in pine needles. Near the water, the ground is uneven with tree roots. Lots of shade from trees. Bring your art supplies, canvas and easel in a pack and easy to carry (or wheels), to get in to the meeting spot a short walk from the parking lot.

PALLETTE SUGGESTIONS: Burnt sienna, green-gold and phalto blue and deep reds. Although mostly still green, a few trees are bursting out in crimson and reds to kick off the fall colours.

Bala Plein Air Figure Drawing with Marshall Geddes
2025-08-20 13:30 - 16:30 | Bala Community Centre, 1008 Maple Ave, Bala, Ontario, P0C1A0, Canada
1:30 – 4:30 at Bala Community Centre
This 3-hour afternoon workshop is recommended to artists who would like to get a better understanding of the fundamentals of figure drawing. A starting point for a future workshop adding people in plein air paintings. The workshop will include hands on instruction and exercises to be able to sketch human figures. The focus will be on capturing gestures and poses. Models in the workshop will be fully dressed. All are welcome. There is a fee of $40. Find out more about the Instructor and register here.

Painting with Jessica: Rosseau Bay Shoreline
2025-08-21 00:00 | Rosseau Memorial Community Hall, 2 Victoria St W, Rosseau, ON, P0C1J0, Canada
Get ready for a fun morning of painting in Rosseau with Parry Sound artist Jessica Vergeer! This class is being held at the Rosseau Memorial Community Hall on Thursday August 21 from 9:30am to 12pm. Registration is limited, so get some friends together and come as a group or don’t hesitate to come out on your own! This is a fun and supportive environment with a focus on art and creativity, first and foremost.
New to painting? Not a problem! This class is perfect for everyone, with Jessica leading you step-by-step through the process of painting this Rosseau Bay Shoreline scene in acrylic on canvas, from start to finish. All painting supplies are provided and you will leave this class with your finished 10×14 painting!
On the day of the class please arrive at the Rosseau Memorial Community Hall at least 15 minutes early to check in. We plan to start the class at 9:30am sharp. Please bring your own beverages or snacks if required.
Jessica’s painting classes are geared to an adult audience; registered minors 12 and older are welcome as long as they are also accompanied by a registered adult parent/guardian and can keep pace with the rest of the class.
Please note that all registrations for this event are first-come first-serve. No cancellation refunds or credit will be issued under any circumstance unless the event is canceled by the organizers. If you cannot attend due to a personal issue, you are welcome to send someone in your place if we are notified in advance.

Josh Ross - Kee to Bala
2025-08-21 20:00 - 23:00 | The Kee to Bala
Canadian Country singer and song writer Josh Ross at the Kee for Thursday Aug 21st.
19+show
Tickets here

Sam Roberts Band - The Kee to Bala
2025-08-29 20:00 - 23:00 | The Kee to Bala
When Friday Aug 29th and Saturday Aug 30
@The Kee to Bala
Doors open 8pm Show 830pm
19+
Tickets
Canadian Singer Songwriter Sam Roberts and Band return to the Kee for what will be two fantastic shows!

Bala Plein Air at YMCA Camp Pine Crest
2025-09-03 09:00 - 12:00
9:00 AM to 12:00 noon

A history like no other place in Muskoka. YMCA Pinecrest has been connecting the young and old with nature and teaching outdoor skills for over 115 years on the edge of Clear Lake near Torrance. Clear Lake lives up to its name as one of the clearest lakes in Muskoka as camp traditions continue from the ringing of the dinner bell to learning how to get back in a tipped canoe.

ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS: 1090 Gullwing Lake Road, Torrance, ON Google Maps Link Here. Take Hwy #169 to Torrance. At the the Clear Lake Brewery From Hwy #169 turn onto Hwy #12 and immediately turn left onto Clear Lake Road. After 2km turn right onto Gull Wing Road and follow signs to the end to Pinecrest.
PALETTE SUGGESTIONS: Teal Blue, Titanium White, Graphite Black, Cadmium Red, Burnt Sienna, Green Gold.
WHAT TO BRING: Own art supplies, easel and chair. Water to stay hydrated. The weather may be cool or hot, so sun protection and light jacket is advisable. Good walking shoes as some descents down to the water are rocky.

WASHROOMS are available and accessible. If it rains we will be able to take cover and paint from the covered dock area or inside the Yard House Recreation building. A small group (60) outdoor education teachers will be training while we are here for our plein air.

Bala Plein Air at Bala-Hy Motel, Long Lake
2025-09-10 09:00 - 12:00
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Channel your inner Monet as you paint the lily pads. Paint the trees against the blue water on Long Lake from the beach Walk across the footbridge to a tiny island and set up your easel to paint the beach-scape, or cottages on different shores.
DIRECTIONS: Make your way to the point (500 metres) and shore side of the brown cabin of the Bala-Hy Motel on Long Lake in Bala. The hotel address is 3017 Muskoka District Road #169. From Port Carling, drive through Bala over the Moon River bridge toward Windsor Park/Sutton Road. From Gravenhurst drive along Hwy #169 to Bala and turn left before Windsor Park/Sutton Road. Beside the Beer Store pull into parking lot of the Bala Garden Centre and make your way down the gravel road behind the Motel toward the cabins near the water. Google Maps Link Here or refer to X on map below.
PARKING & WASHROOMS: Both are available at this location. Parking in various spots among the cabins is very close to the beach. Only 15 steps on flat terrain to many views. Or 32 steps to paint on the island.
WHAT TO BRING: Art supplies, easel and chair. Dress warmly for cooler temperatures. Parking areas are very close, a couple of steps to where we will be painting.
PALETTE SUGGESTIONS: Blue, cadmium red, cadmium orange and bright yellows and green-gold.

Bala Plein Air at Floating Bog Islands, Bala
2025-09-17 09:00 - 12:00
9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
This location is a treasure trove for field naturalists and full of colour for artists who wish to embrace fall scenery in Muskoka. This large property is home to blue herons and beavers includes a series of unnamed lakes and the unique phenomena of floating islands. Fall colour will likely be spectacular and bugs a distant memory.
Plein air artists are used to clouds changing and moving across the sky – no problem. But you can count on the islands across the lake staying put while you commit them to canvas… or wait can you??? Not here. These unique bog and moss islands move around the lake.

DIRECTIONS: This location is very close to Bala and not far from the Bala Water Tower visible from Hwy #38. Google Map link here. Parking is available on the property, but carpool is recommended if you can. More details about getting here will be shared with our group in the email a few days ahead of this one.

WHAT TO BRING: Your own art supplies, an easel and chair if you like. Dress in layers for fall weather. Boots and pants are highly recommended as this is area is a busy habitat for wildlife. You will need your own water and any snacks. We appreciate the invitation to this private property and will mindful of our impact and not leaving anything behind. Washrooms on the property are available.
PALETTE SUGGESTIONS: Green gold, magenta red, burnt sienna, violet, burnt umber and ultramarine blue.

Bala Plein Air at Muskoka Lakes Cranberry Farm
2025-10-01 09:00 - 13:00 | Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery, 1074 Cranberry Rd, Bala, Ontario, P0C 1A0, Canada
We will meet at the Muskoka Lakes Cranberry Farm & Winery at 9:00 AM and stay until 1:00 PM, or longer if you wish. This is a working farm and the annual cranberry harvest will be in full swing. The location offers many values of intense colour. Capture the beauty of the cranberries as they float up to the surface of the flooded bogs.
SPECIAL NOTE: All BPAG artists joining us on this date will need to purchase a $5 Trail pass upon arrival to access the trails. At this point in the season the farm gets busy with tour buses and and visitors but not as busy as weekends. There is lots of room to find a quiet spot.
GETTING THERE: From Muskoka Road Hwy #169, turn onto Medora Road (a left turn from Bala, a right turn from Port Carling). Drive 1.5km then turn onto Cranberry Road – follow signs to Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh. It is well marked. Meet under the White Tent beside the parked Tour Wagon.
PARKING: Park in the visitor lot for trail pass holders on the left. There are many portable washrooms for visitors.

WHAT TO BRING: Dress for fall weather whatever that may be. This outing may be a bit longer as there are many things that may inspire you. There is a store and cafe that will be open for snacks and refreshments and sitting on the patio. Suggested palette: Many shades of red, orange, and yellow – from ochre to bismuth.

Bala Cranberry Festival
2025-10-17 09:00 - 17:00
Ontario’s Cranberry Capital celebrates the Cranberry harvest with the 41st annual Cranberry Festival.
Always the weekend after Thanksgiving, this year Friday Oct 17th through Sunday Oct 19th
As Details evolve check the website!
You must come, it’s Crantastic!
