Artastic Elgin Continues Celebration of Local Arts and Culture

Elgin County is pleased to announce the return of the Artastic Elgin Studio Tour for 2015. The event that is now in its third year, will run from September 26 – 27 at participating Elgin Arts Trail members. 

“We are really excited to give visitors and residents alike the opportunity to witness first hand the incredible wealth of artistic talent in our area,” said Lindsey Duncan, Tourism Services Coordinator.

The artists of the Elgin Arts Trail invite you to take part in a two-day interactive event throughout Elgin County that will provide you with an experiential adventure like no other. With workshops, studio tours, speakers and other gallery events, each stop will leave your creative side wanting more. 

New this year is a passport that will allow visitors to get a stamp at each location they visit. After collecting at least four stamps, visitors will be eligible to enter into a draw to win dinner for four in Elgin County. 

The event is held in conjunction with Culture Days a national celebration each September where artists and cultural organizations across the country come together to promote awareness, participation and engagement in arts and culture activities. 

Artastic Elgin will be held at participating Elgin Arts Trail member locations on Saturday September 26 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday September 27 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Passports that include maps of the route can be picked up at each member location or downloaded from the Elgin Arts Trail website. Search the hashtag #ArtasticElgin on Twitter and Facebook to follow the activities of venues and participants. 

For more information about the Artastic Elgin event call (519) 631-1460 ext.168, e-mail lduncan@elgin.ca or visit www.elginartstrail.ca. 

Artastic Elgin Studio Tour Locations/Activities

Portside Gallery, 187 ½ Main St., Port Stanley
Artists will be on-site with live painting demonstrations. The “Portside Goes Big” exhibit will be on display during this time. 

Peter Robson Gallery, 46340 Main St., Sparta
The Peter Robson Gallery will be offering computerized mat cuttings. Bring a 4x6 picture and have it created on an 8 x 10 mat free of charge! While in Sparta, visit the Sparta Scarecrow Festival on Saturday September 26 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

The Art Emporium, 177 Main St., Port Stanley 
Using various materials and techniques, participants will have the opportunity to create a mixed media collage of their own. Materials are supplied but participants are encouraged to bring papers, fabric, mementos and photos to incorporate into their work.

Concreations, 7579 Yarmouth Centre Rd., St. Thomas
See how Andy casts concrete and uses stains and varnishes to create delightful garden ornaments with an antique, weathered look. Goodies and refreshments available. Live demonstrations on the hour. 

Village Crier Gallery, 194 Currie Rd., Dutton 
Meet Dutton Artist Jenny Phillips and her husband Town Crier Dave at Village Crier Gallery. Enjoy refreshments while you browse their gallery or observe Jenny begin a new major acrylic on canvas “Previewing Quilts”. Saturday: Jenny painting 10 – 11 a.m. & 2-4 p.m. Sunday Jenny painting noon – 4 p.m. 

Rubyeyes Kraftwerks, 235 Colborne St., Port Stanley
Experience the art of fusing glass by creating a 4” suncatcher/coaster or a glass trading card. 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday. 

Port Stanley Festival Theatre, 6-302 Bridge St., Port Stanley
Join the Port Stanley Festival Theatre for TWO FREE public readings followed by open discussion of “Quebec Cowboy” by Grant Tilly and “The Birds and The Bees” by Mark Crawford as part of the 4th Annual Playwright’s Festival. 8:00 p.m. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot St., St. Thomas
The Art Centre will be offering a full-day event on Saturday September 26 called the “West End Arts Mingle” FREE Children’s art activities. Poetry Slam at 7:00 p.m. DRINK & DRAW, an event designed to rally the creative “spirits”. Finish the evening with live music from “Regal Reeb”. For Ticket info please contact the Art Centre. 


Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio, 8122 Rogers Rd., South, Aylmer
Visit the pottery studio for ongoing demonstrations 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop at the gift shop for a selection of finished pottery for purchase or relax and dine in the Tearoom . Reservations recommended but not necessary for lunch.

Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing, 11078 Springwater Rd. North, Aylmer 
Minerva Art Gallery presents Art Restoration, and Preserving Your Piece of Art. On display and being framed are: Pieces of Roman Chariot 200 A.D., Horse bridle and Bits 1400 AD., First Nations Head Dress 1900 AD.

Jump-Start Your Business with the Enterprise Elgin Business Plan Competition

The County of Elgin and the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) are proud to announce the launch of “Enterprise Elgin”. 

Enterprise Elgin is a business plan competition designed to foster business development in the County of Elgin through new business initiatives as well as business expansions.

Contestants may submit business ideas in any field, including services, manufacturing, distribution, health care, Internet, consumer products, retail, technology, and other fields of commercial endeavor. Every submission will be reviewed by the selection committee and five finalists will be selected. These finalists will be asked to present their business plan before a panel of judges on October 22, 2015. From these five contestants, the judges will select one winner who will receive a prize package worth over $10,000. These prizes that will help take the winner’s business to the next level.  The package includes over $3000 in cash, graphic design and website services, free banking, one-year of rent-free office space and memberships in local business organizations. 

The Competition is directed at for-profit businesses including start-ups as well as expansions of existing companies. To be eligible for the prize, contestants of the business plan competition must agree to locate the company’s principal place of business in Elgin County (outside St. Thomas city limits) at the time of the award. 

The submissions will open August 1 and close on September 30. Finalists will be notified shortly after, with the ultimate winner being announced after the finals held at on Thursday October 22 at the New Sarum Diner. 

Applications will be available at Elgin Business Resource Centre locations in Aylmer (516 John St. N, Aylmer), Dutton (99 Currie Rd., Dutton) and St. Thomas (300 South Edgeware Rd.), at the Elgin County Economic Development office (450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas) and online. 

Entrepreneurs needing assistance in creating a business plan or wanting a business plan template please contact the Elgin Business Resource Centre at 1-877-450-2128.

Sponsors of this contest include Meridian Credit Union, Redding Designs, Black Cat Concepts, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce, the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce, the Elgin Innovation Centre, the Elgin Business Resource Centre and the County of Elgin.