Inspired by the mountains, valleys and Georgian Bay shoreline, Southern Georgian Bay is home to a lively art community. The main “art hubs” are located in historic downtown Collingwood and picturesque Clarksburg (south of Thornbury). Art tours take place in spring and fall and the public are invited to meet local artists in their studios.
Collingwood
The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit arts organization run by artists and volunteers located in Collingwood. Their mandate is to promote excellence in the arts in the Southern Georgian Bay community by developing and presenting creative and innovative programming, outreach activities and educational opportunities for all ages. The bmfa Arts Centre has monthly rotating exhibits and a gift shop representing up to 30 local artists.
65 Simcoe St. Collingwood | Tel. 705-445-3430 | Website | Facebook
Art On The Street
May – October
The streets of downtown Collingwood come alive with this outdoor art exhibition. Over 50 area artists are featured. Stroll through downtown to see their work and sit in one of the hand painted Muskoka chairs. Chairs are auctioned off at the last Farmer’s Market of the season.
Collingwood Downtown | Website
Collingwood Art Crawl
Collingwood Art Crawl is a free, self-guided art walk, featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues, with live music and incredible art, all in downtown Collingwood. A must attend event!
2019 Date: September 21 from 6 – 10 p.m.
Follow their Facebook page and website for updates.
Collingwood Town Hall | 97 Hurontario St., Collingwood | Website | Facebook
The Bay School of Art offers art classes in Collingwood and Thornbury/Clarksburg. The school has been encouraging artists in the Southern Georgian Bay area to develop their artistic skills in a welcoming and creative environment since 2006. Whether you’re an aspiring or skilled artist, The Bay School of Art offers art classes and workshops, designed for all ages and levels of experience. Visit the Website for locations and class schedules.
Butter Gallery 151 represents over 60 artists. Their focus is on contemporary Canadian landscape and abstract painters, as well as artisans who are unique in their chosen medium. They also feature curated collections of jewellery, glass, pottery and wood.
151 Hurontario St., Collingwood | Tel. 705-888-1499 | Website | Facebook
The Tremont & Simcoe Street
Simcoe Street is a creative hub in downtown Collingwood. The artist community hosts over 25 independent and artistic businesses- including 14 artist studios, a black box theatre, dance and music school, two galleries and several culinary spots.
Visit What’s On Simcoe Street website for a list of artists and events.
Tremont Galleries – 80 Simcoe Street, Collingwood | Website | Facebook
Andrew Peycha
Andrew Peycha – Fall Trees
80 Simcoe Street, Collingwood | Tel. 705-888-5090 | Website | Facebook
Magic of Children in the Arts
The Magic of Children in the Arts hosts the largest children’s art exhibition in Canada at the Collingwood Public Library. This community event encourages children to create, exhibit and celebrate art. Funded entirely by donations from local businesses, service clubs, arts patrons, and municipal grants, the event has grown over the past 22 years to include over 1000 children in the local community yearly. Children aged 4-13 yrs in the Collingwood and Clearview area can participate for free. Their artwork is displayed in the Collingwood Library Gallery during March & April. Every child receives a prize package of top quality art materials to take home.
The program also hosts free art workshops for ages 4-14 at Collingwood Public Library
Alexander’s Art Shoppe – artist supplies and classes. Located in Downtown Collingwood, Collingwood Art Class offer painting classes for all ages and skill levels. Paint with a Twist – Saturday night paint parties and book private painting party with wine and friends!
77 Simcoe St, Collingwood | Tel. 705-293-1771 | Website | Facebook
Bonnie Dorgelo Jewellery & Paintings
Once a historic school house, now a captivating art gallery studio. Contemporary collection of sterling silver, semi-precious stone and Swarovski crystal jewellery, wire sculpture and abstract paintings inspired by the colourful spirit of nature.
766 Mountain Road, Collingwood | Tel. 705-718-7737 | Website | Facebook
The Blue Mountains
Blue Mountain Tour of the Arts
Victoria Day and Thanksgiving Weekends
Open Friday – Monday 11a.m. to 5p.m.
Meet local artists as they open their studios to the public on this free self-guided studio tour. From Craigleith, Thornbury, Clarksburg and a short drive south to Kimberley, you will find 10 studios open, some with guest artists.
There is something for everyone on this tour-sculpture, paintings, photography, jewelry, fabric art, pottery, glasswork. Look for the red and white signs around town and pick up a brochure from any of the studios or local businesses. Check the website for participating artist studios.
Website | Facebook
Loft Gallery Inc. is located on the main street of the, Georgian Bay-hemmed, hamlet of Thornbury, Town of the Blue Mountains, Ontario. Loft Gallery Inc. exhibits and sells original fine art by local, Ontario and Quebec artists. It is known for its spectacular large, landscape paintings. It is owned and operated by Heather Carroll. The gallery includes the studio of resident artist, Debra Lynn Carroll who paints large textured oil landscape paintings.
18 Bruce St., Thornbury | Tel. 647-296-9797 | Website | Facebook
Brights Gallery
Located in the Village at Blue Mountain, Brights Gallery is a favourite destination art gallery for Canadian Fine Art. Brights Gallery opened at Blue Mountain in 2009, relocating from Burlington, Ontario. Their mission is to create a space filled with art that people want to own. The primary focus is established Canadian Artists whose work is known from coast to coast and is collected both personally and corporately. The gallery is a comfortable and cozy space to view original Canadian art. A fireplace and sitting area provides clients with an opportunity to view potential purchases in a relaxed setting.
The Village at Blue Mountain | 5-190 Jozo Weider Blvd., Blue Mountains
705-445-4999 | Website | Facebook
Clarksburg
Matilda Swanson Gallery
Matilda Swanson Gallery is located in the gallery district of Clarksburg, also known as ‘Artsburg.’
They offer an eclectic selection of original works of art ranging from Paintings, to Pottery and Jewellery. Paintings vary from folk, whimsical, abstract to traditional.
185 Marsh Strett, Clarksburg | Tel. 226-665-0401 | Website | Facebook
