En Plein Air Art Market (including live outdoor painting and auction)

The inaugural En Plein Air Art Market will take place June 24 from 10am-4pm at River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville.

Sponsored by Hear Well, Be Well, the event consists of a day-long art market featuring local artists along with live outdoor painting and music. Up to 20 local vendors will have their work on display and available for purchase. This original art will include paintings, jewelry, ceramics, clothing, fashion, and more.

“We’re thrilled to bring this new event to Huntsville’s downtown,” says HfA Executive Director Dan Watson. “It offers opportunities for local artists to sell their work, brings more visitors to Downtown Huntsville, and raises funds that will help young artists to develop their talents.”

The market also marks the return of the popular En Plein Air painting event. The event, originally run by Kelly Holinshead of the Shutterbug Gallery, invites artists and area dignitaries to grab an easel and some paint before choosing an outdoor location downtown to inspire their creations. A few hours later, participants have to put down their brushes. The paintings are then given a bit of drying time before they are auctioned off to the public at 4pm, with proceeds going towards the Kareen Burn Visual Arts Scholarship supporting a local student studying visual arts related studies in a post secondary institution or program.

“Kareen was an HfA Board member and creative force in our community,” adds Watson. “She loved events like En Plein Air, and we are honored to raise funds in her name that will support young artists at the beginning of their careers.”

For further information and updates, please visit huntsvillefestival.ca or huntsvilleartcrawl.ca, or contact Huntsville Festival of the Arts Director of Programs, Outreach and Education Hannah Naiman at hannah@huntsvillefestival.ca or 705-788-2787.

The En Plein Air Art market is the culminating event of the 2023 Huntsville Art CRAWL. Now in its 3rd year, the CRAWL is a self-guided art tour in downtown Huntsville. Throughout the month of June, visitors will create their own free art crawl experience by touring local businesses, galleries and studios which feature exhibits, demos and interactive experiences by local artists. The program is supported by the Downtown Huntsville BIA and the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association.