The Pelham Art Festival is returning for its 39th year this Mother’s Day weekend, bringing together artists, live entertainment and community programming in Pelham.
Organizer Tammy van den Brink says the long-running event has become one of Niagara’s premier art showcases, featuring more than 90 juried artists selected by a panel of regional arts professionals. The festival includes a wide range of artistic styles and mediums, including painting, woodworking, textiles, jewellery and fibre arts.
Van den Brink says the event has also made a significant impact in the community over the years, contributing roughly $600,000 to local libraries while supporting scholarships and arts initiatives throughout Niagara.
This year, the festival is also expanding its scholarship efforts. Along with continuing contributions to local high schools, organizers introduced two new $1000 scholarships students could apply for directly through the festival. Winners were notified this week and are expected to be recognized during the event.
Van den Brink says helping young artists pursue careers in the arts remains a major priority for organizers, especially as arts and culture continue to play a major role in tourism and community life.
Along with artist exhibits, this year’s festival will feature live art demonstrations, workshops with Indigenous artists from the Makers Circle, live music performances and children’s activities throughout the weekend. Organizers say attendance typically reaches between three and four thousand people over the course of the event.
Advance tickets are available online for seven dollars, while admission at the door is ten dollars. Students are five dollars and children under 12 are admitted free.
(Written by: Matt Latour)