ARTS FESTIVAL
Discover 25+ artists, live painting, open studios, music, workshops, and public art across Russell Township from September 18 - 20.
Friday September 18th
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6:30PM - 830PM
MacDougall Park - 50 Craig St, RussellA new temporary public art piece by Leslie Chandler will be unveiled in MacDougall Park and will be on display for the festival weekend.
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6:30PM - 830PM
MacDougall Park - 50 Craig St, RussellCome celebrate the opening of the 2026 Autumn In The Country Arts Festival. We’ve been working on the festival for a full year and would love to take some time to kick back, relax and sip a custom mocktail or two with you.
This is your chance for a casual connection with artists and creative minds from across Russell Township
Saturday September 19th
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10:00AM - 4:00PM
Public spaces across Russell and EmbrunWalk, bike or drive along the open studio tour to see live demonstrations of ceramics, painting, and glass. Artists invite you into their spaces, giving visitors a chance to talk about their process, what inspires them, and how they keep their practice alive.
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10:00AM - 4:00PM
Russell Fairgrounds - 1076 Concession StSome of the brightest and best visual artists from across Eastern Ontario are gathered together under one roof for your enjoyment. Complete with hay bales and corn stalks, this is the perfect setting to reignite your love of art and maybe even find the perfect piece for your living room
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4:30PM - 6:30PM
Russell Fairgrounds - 1076 Concession StWatch professional and amateur artists go head to head, putting their creative skills to the test. Artists are given a prompt and a small amount of time to create something magical. Winners are voted on by the audience, and artworks are auctioned off after.
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10:AM - 4:00PM
Russell Fairgrounds - 1076 Concession StThe Photo Expo is a free open call to photographers to submit images taken with Russell Township limits. 4 Winners will be chosen by an independent jury, printed on panels, exhibited outdoors for up to 5 years, and be awarded the appropriate CARFAC fee. Honourable mentions will receive a small prize package. All submissions will be printed and exhibited during the Autumn in the Country Arts Festival.
Sunday September 20th
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MacDougall Park - 50 Craig St
To wrap up the festival, a painting meetup is scheduled for Sunday September 20th. Bring your brushes, canvases, and paints and join professional artists in an open air painting meetup in MacDougall park. Get inspired by the fall landscape, birds chirping, and public art.
Friday September 18th
We cordially invite you to the the Opening Reception of the Autumn In the Country at MacDougall Park (50 Craig Street) from 6:30 - 830PM.
During the reception Russell-based artist Leslie Chandler unveils her new temporary art installation BREATH | SOUFFLE. Sweeping through the trees of park, the artwork is a meditation on the invisible forces — wind and spirit - that sustains the life we share. The artist invites viewers to: “Pause here, be still, and let this space bring you peace.”
Refreshments, mocktails and delightful conversations will be offered throughout the evening. An artist talk will commence at 7:00PM.
We can’t wait to see you there
Artist Studio Tour
Saturday September 19th
10AM - 4PM
Bike, drive or walk along Russell and Embrun’s side streets and trails to meet artists in their studios demonstrating their craft. From pottery to painting to live music and more, this is your chance to see the magic in action, and learn a little bit about different artistic techniques. This is a self-guided tour to complete at your own pace.
Keep an eye out for the sign posts along the way to help guide you.
CMS Pottery
Christina Stapper looks for the balance between fine art and function in small batch pottery and unique touches that enhance your home and life.
Live Demonstrations at 10:30AM + 2PM
Paul Schibli
Paul Schibli was an animator for 40 years. However, for the last 26 years his practice has been to capture the landscape in oil paint, exhibiting at The Cube Gallery in Ottawa and at Canvas Gallery in Toronto. Schibli exhibited in the very earliest Autumn in the Country many years ago.
Live Demonstrations at 11AM + 1:30PM
Val’s Art
Watercolour artist Valérie Major finds inspiration from living, feeling, nature and her family.
Live Demonstrations at 10AM + 1:00PM
Maureen McAuliff
A self-taught artist who finds joy in transforming heartfelt emotions into vibrant expressions on canvas
Live Demonstrations at 10:30AM + 2PM
Kimberly Kargus
Kimberly Kargus is the artist behind Glassworks for Good, an artistic hobby turned fundraiser. Behind each piece is the desire to support numerous charities and beneficial causes across Russell Township. Her work highlights how art can bring positive change to the world in numerous ways.
Davina Tessier
Davina is a mixed media artist who loves playing with acrylics and mixed media to create bold, contemporary pieces. Her work is a cool mix of two worlds: the wild, rugged Canadian outdoors and the sleek architectural lines she discovers while traveling. By blending rich textures, striking geometric shapes, and vibrant colors, she brings everything from sweeping landscapes to cozy, hidden local spots straight onto the canvas.
Leslie Chandler
Leslie Chandler is a freelance visual artist whose artwork ranges from photo-realistic to abstract contemporary and contemporary impressionism. All of it best expresses her experience outdoors in Canada’s great natural beauty.
Live Demonstrations at 10:30AM + 1:30PM
Echoes From This Land
Echoes from This Land: Visioning and Revisiting the Truth & Reconciliation 94 Recommendations is a print-based exhibition born from a uniquely collaborative experience. Artists and creators from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of different backgrounds, ages, genders, ethnicities, abilities, incomes, nationhood, and nationality came together in a forum to openly discuss and better understand the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the 94 Calls to Action.
Live drumming and smudging at 10:15PM
Pamela Pilon
Pamela Pilon (she/her) is a Canadian artist of mixed settler and Indigenous ancestry, based in Russell, Ontario. Specializing in acrylic painting, she embraces modern impressionism, relying on bold, loose strokes rather than intricate details to express her creativity within the limitations imposed by Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Through her vibrant floral works, Pamela transforms personal challenges into a celebration of resilience and emotion, inviting viewers into a dynamic interplay of colour and movement that reflects her unique perspective.
Live Demonstrations at 11:30AM + 3:00PM
Hidden Daisy Fine Art Studio
As a classically trained artist, Carly’s practice and inspiration stems from her desire to capture beauty through art.
Live Demonstrations at 11:30AM + 2:30PM
Bent Out of Shape
Frank Schmohl creates unique metal, wood and stone artworks designed for your home and garden.
Carrie Keller
Carrie Keller is an oil painter renowned for capturing the majesty of our natural world. She has been active in her artistic practice for decades, and continues to explore the nuance of human connection to flora and fauna.
Sandi Berry
Sandi Berry is a beader and moccasin maker of Anishinaabe/Settler heritage. She started beading six years ago and feels privileged to be able to interact with fur, hide and glass to make wearable art. All materials she uses are sourced from Indigenous owned businesses.
Live Demonstrations at 10AM + 1:00PM
David Oldford
David Oldford creates one-of-a-kind, sculptural and functional wood objects, from vases to bowls and more. A long time wood turner, David uses his passion for nature combined with the unique skill of wood turning to create art from our natural surroundings. Burls are his material of choice, as they form fascinating patterns, textures and inclusions that he highlights with each object he creates.
Live Demonstrations at 11AM + 2:00PM
Happy Little Penguin
The Happy Little Penguin Stained Glass journey started in 2018, in Russell, ON. All pieces have been inspired by things I love most and what makes me happy. These include, penguins, nature, pop culture and most importantly my Canadian/ Armenian heritage. All pieces have been designed by me and only available in small batches.
Live Demonstrations at 10AM + 2:30PM
Eathen Felts
Wood sculpture that pushes the boundary of function and form
Stephanie Wellman
Stephanie is a graduate of the Photography Institute and she is a Signature Member and a Master Pastelist of Pastel Artists of Canada.
Artist Alley
Saturday September 19th
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Russell Fairgrounds (Big Barn) - 1084 Concession St., Russell
Peruse and connect with artists at their own booths, or along the gallery wall. Discover the ingenuity, creativity and talent from artists across the Ottawa valley.
Barbara Lahey
U-Neek D-Zine E-fex by Barb Armstrong Lahey providing unique home decor for over 20 years, with art of all kinds for every space. Bright and colourful acrylic paintings, textured acrylic paintings, pyrography, functional art, suncatchers, wire tree and bead sculptures and more! All can be made to order or choose from a large collection in house.\
Nathalie Labelle
Nathalie Labelle is a painter specializing in animal art, with creations ranging from realism to semi-abstract. She uses oil, acrylic, and mixed media. Her artistic process is guided by a particular subject that captures her heart, and then lets her imagination run free in choosing colors, styles, and techniques. "
Saturday September 19th
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Russell Fairgrounds (Big Barn) - 1084 Concession St., Russell
Join the Prescott Russell Arts Council and Goutard Altruism at Festival Autumn in the Country for a creative afternoon of painting, drawing and crafting! Capture the beauty of fall décor surrounded by autumn's colours. All skill levels welcome — bring your inspiration and let the season guide your contribution to this collective artwork.
Judy Steeves
Judy Steeves has been working in fused glass for well over 10 years. An Embrun-based artists her work incorporates pop culture and majestic scenes of nature. She takes commissions and teaches classes upon request.
Rebecca Menard
Rebecca Menard creates whimsical, joyful artworks influenced by childhood imagination. Her aim to spread joy can be deeply felt in each and every work she creates.
Russell Photo Expo
Saturday September 19th
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Russell Fairgrounds (Big Barn) - 1084 Concession St., Russell
The Township of Russell Photo Expo is a photography exhibition by photographers at all levels and a competition to create the newest public art. The jury will look at the theme of “Cultivation” and determine the winnig images for best youth, best portrait, best landscape and best wildlife.
Winners Reveal at 12:00PM
Fall Into Art
Stephanie Haddad
Stephanie Haddad at Queen of Arts Studio creates work that is crafted to be felt no only with textures but deep within your soul and touch you visually, to linger, and to become part of your own story the moment it enters your space.
Christine Godin
Christine Lenoir Godin is a self-taught artist inspired by the incredible natural spaces across Russell Township. As landscapes continue to disappear through new developments, her works have a lasting legacy of places that once were.
Robert Fowler
Robert Fowler is a Metcalfe-based artist painting in acrylics. He has an eclectic style and paint what moves him. Landscapes, wildlife, abstract and even some novelty items like wildlife scenes on wooden paddles
He has been painting seriously since 1994.2
Laura Jean Brink
Laura Jean Brink is a self taught artist who really enjoys painting with acrylics, and mixed media. She is particularly drawn to bright bold colours and is am inspired by animals, nature and the paranormal/supernatural. Recently she has combined her pet grooming business with her artistic pursuits in the form of pet portraits.
Battle of the Brushes
Saturday September 19
4:30PM - 6:30PM
Russell Fairgrounds - 1076 Concession St
Watch professional and amateur artists go head to head, putting their creative skills to the test. Artists are given a prompt and a small amount of time to create something magical. Winners are voted on by the audience, and artworks are auctioned off after.
Live music, food and bar!
Sunday September 20th
Plein Air Painting In The Park
1:00PM - 5:00PM
MacDougall Park - 50 Craig st
Bring your own easels, paints, and materials for a communal outdoor painting session. Enjoy the trees, the wind, and the sun while you’re creating something brand new. It is the perfect way to vibe our to your own creation in the quiet company of others.
At 2:00PM the Russell Children’s Ballet School will be performing a short routine for some live model sketching and drawing. Stay tuned for more information!