Photo: Lorna Mulligan at 2023 Paint the Town
Celebrating 30 Years of Paint the Town
Preserving and expanding a cherished regional event
For decades, artists and the community have gathered in Annapolis Royal each August for Paint the Town. Thousands of artworks have been produced and sold while the paint still dried, highlighting the vigour of our arts community and beauty of our historic and natural landscapes.
This August 15-17, 2025, join us for the first-ever Paint the Town Symposium, a gathering of artists and community leaders from across the province to share the value of the arts for small, creative communities. In 2026, look forward to a return to the traditional Paint the Town Festival format we know and love.
With support of the province’s Culture Innovation Fund, this inaugural Symposium will focus on questions of how artists survive and thrive in small communities outside the urban hubs. Talks and panel discussions will include leaders in the arts and business sectors to showcase models of success represented by practicing artists, organizations and businesses. The events will be relevant and informative for all that are interested in how the arts can thrive in small communities. And, everyone is encouraged to attend.
Paint the Town alumni artists will still have an opportunity to present a smaller number of studio pieces for sale in 2025. Watch your email inbox or contact [email protected] for details.
Our vision going forward is to establish a two-year cycle, alternating between the Festival one year and a Symposium the next.
ARTSPLACE and Annapolis Region Community Arts Council are excited to continue developing this third weekend of August as the time to gather in Annapolis Royal, discuss shared opportunities and strengthen resources for the continued development of our enduring Paint the Town tradition.
Check back for updates on schedule, speakers, and registration forms soon.
Preserving and expanding a cherished regional event
For decades, artists and the community have gathered in Annapolis Royal each August for Paint the Town. Thousands of artworks have been produced and sold while the paint still dried, highlighting the vigour of our arts community and beauty of our historic and natural landscapes.
This August 15-17, 2025, join us for the first-ever Paint the Town Symposium, a gathering of artists and community leaders from across the province to share the value of the arts for small, creative communities. In 2026, look forward to a return to the traditional Paint the Town Festival format we know and love.
With support of the province’s Culture Innovation Fund, this inaugural Symposium will focus on questions of how artists survive and thrive in small communities outside the urban hubs. Talks and panel discussions will include leaders in the arts and business sectors to showcase models of success represented by practicing artists, organizations and businesses. The events will be relevant and informative for all that are interested in how the arts can thrive in small communities. And, everyone is encouraged to attend.
Paint the Town alumni artists will still have an opportunity to present a smaller number of studio pieces for sale in 2025. Watch your email inbox or contact [email protected] for details.
Our vision going forward is to establish a two-year cycle, alternating between the Festival one year and a Symposium the next.
ARTSPLACE and Annapolis Region Community Arts Council are excited to continue developing this third weekend of August as the time to gather in Annapolis Royal, discuss shared opportunities and strengthen resources for the continued development of our enduring Paint the Town tradition.
Check back for updates on schedule, speakers, and registration forms soon.
Background
A plein air painting weekend where up to 80 artists set up their easels at various locations throughout Annapolis Royal. This popular event draws onlookers and art buyers from around Atlantic Canada and beyond. Emerging and established artists from Canada and the US find a special spot that inspires them to paint, sculpt, carve, photograph or sketch. Spectators can meet the artists at work while watching the creative process unfold on the boardwalk, the wharf, at Fort Anne National Historic Site, the Historic Gardens. As their paintings are finished, volunteers deliver the artwork to the Paint the Town Gallery at The Royal Canadian Legion, 66 Victoria St., Annapolis Royal, where patrons can bid during the silent auction process (from 10 am – 6 pm each day), or grab the piece of their dreams immediately as each piece has a “buy it now” price (this option available until 5 pm daily).
This event is a highlight of the Annapolis Royal cultural calendar since the '90s with artists and volunteers signing up take part year after year. The community embraces the event, offering places for artists to stay as well as porches, gardens and studio spaces to create. Among the favorites that make Paint the Town a regular stop each summer are Tom Forrestall, Wayne Boucher and Geoff Butler. As well as these favorites you will find many new up and coming artists.
This event is a highlight of the Annapolis Royal cultural calendar since the '90s with artists and volunteers signing up take part year after year. The community embraces the event, offering places for artists to stay as well as porches, gardens and studio spaces to create. Among the favorites that make Paint the Town a regular stop each summer are Tom Forrestall, Wayne Boucher and Geoff Butler. As well as these favorites you will find many new up and coming artists.
