About The Show

ART IN THE COUNTY (AITC) is an annual juried exhibition and sale presented by the Prince Edward County Arts Council. Jurors are professional artists, curators, and/or academics residing in communities outside of Prince Edward County. The jurying process is blind to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest.

Art in the County is recognized as one of Eastern Ontario’s premier community art exhibitions. Since its inception in 1993, AITC has hosted over 63,000 visitors, showcased close to 2,500 of the highest quality works of art by Prince Edward County artists and artisans, and has sold over $400,000 worth of art to collectors, and art lovers alike.

This signature summer event also generates additional economic benefits for businesses throughout the region.

The 31st Annual ART IN THE COUNTY Juried Exhibition and Sale will take place from Friday, June 21 to Sunday, July 7, 2024. New for 2024, we are thrilled to announce the show will be returning to the Armoury building in downtown Picton, the ideal location to showcase and celebrate the vibrancy of our artistic community. As in the past 4 years, there will be an online component to the show.

As usual, all works are for sale and AITC accepts Visa and Mastercard, using our online payment system.

The In-person Show

The show will be held at the County Arts Lab, 206 Main St W, Unit 2E, in the Picton Armoury. Opening hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily, with the show closing at 5:00 pm on Sundays and 2:00 pm on the last day (July 7th). There is no charge for admission, however a donation of $5.00 per adult to support Art in the County is most welcomed.

The Online Show

Online shows have the potential to reach a wider audience and may encourage more people to attend the physical exhibition.

Purchased artwork must remain on display until Art in the County closes at 2:00 pm on July 7, 2024. All sales are final.

There are two options to retrieve purchased artwork. Please email us at artinthecounty@countyarts.ca with your preference.

1) Pick-up on July 7th from 2:00-5:00 pm (preferred option)

Your artwork will be available for pick-up on July 7th between 2:00-5:00 pm at the exhibition location, which is is at County Arts Lab, 206 Main St W, Unit 2E, Picton. If you are unable to pick-up the purchase yourself, please email us the name of the person who will pick it up in your place. They should have a copy of your sales receipt (a digital copy is fine).

2) Delivery after July 7th

The artist will pick-up the work on your behalf and arrange for shipping at your expense. We will give your email address and telephone number to the artist. They will contact you to make arrangements. You will be asked by the artist to provide confirmation that you have received the artwork in good condition before Art in the County issues payment to the artist.

If you require further assistance, please email artinthecounty@countyarts.ca.

Awards

• One Jurors’ Choice Award ($750) and three Honourable Mention Awards ($100 each) are selected by the Jurors.
• The People’s Choice Award ($250) is determined by visitor ballots and will be presented at the close of the exhibition.
• The Children’s Choice Award ($250) is determined by visitor ballots and will be presented at the close of the exhibition. All visitors aged 12 and under are eligible to cast their votes.
• The Maison Depoivre Award will be presented to an artist whose work demonstrates risk-taking and originality, technical skill and is thought provoking. Special attention will be given to the use of colours in a daring, innovative way. The curators of Maison Depoivre will select three finalists from the artists presenting work at AITC. The three AITC jurors will determine the award recipient from the three finalists and defer to the three jurors who will determine the award winner. The recipient of the award will be invited to display their work at Maison Depoivre for the rest of the 2024 season, once AITC closes its doors at the beginning of July.
• The Community Arts Builder Award valued at $250, recognizes individuals who have enriched community life through the arts.
• The Carson Arthur Award is an exciting opportunity for artists submitting work to AITC. It will be presented to an artist whose work represents or evokes Nature in an innovative and original way. Carson Arthur will select three finalists and defer to the three jurors who will determine the award winner. This award includes a $500 monetary gift for the winning artist and a $500 donation to a local, non-profit organization advocating for the protection of the environment (organization selected by the winning artist).
• Akasha Art Projects award will be presented to an artist whose work represents a fresh and original approach to their artistic expression. Considerations for this award are extended to artists who explore the boundaries of their chosen media through innovative perspectives that evoke and challenge the viewer. The Principles of Akasha Art Projects, Kelly Kyle & Sonja Scharf will choose three finalists and will defer to the jurors to select the award recipient, who will receive a gift certificate in the amount of $500, redeemable at Akasha Art Projects.
• Oeno Gallery Award of Excellence will be given to the creator of one exceptional work, demonstrating creativity and originality, executed with technical fluency and skill, and presented professionally. This award has a monetary value of $1000, and the winner will be selected by Carlyn Moulton, Owner & Curator, Oeno Gallery.

2024 Award Winners

To be announced

2024 Community Arts Builder Award

In 2018, Art in the County and the Prince Edward County Arts Council launched the Community Arts Builder Award to mark the 25th anniversary of Art in the County. Sponsored by Laurie Gruer, Monica Klingenberg and Alysa Hawkins of Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited Brokerage, the award recognizes an individual who has enriched community life in the County through the arts. The award includes a $250 monetary gift.

Previous winners include Bruce Dowdell, Marysburgh Mummers volunteer and youth mentor (2023); Sarah Moran, arts champion & volunteer (2022); Kato Wake, visual artist, instructor and community connector (2021); Hri Neil, Founder, Carbon Art and Design (2020); Krista Dalby, Artistic Director, Department of Illumination (2019); and Alice and Peter Mennacher, Co-owners Blizzmax Gallery (2018).

For more information about the Community Arts Builder Award, please e-mail: artinthecounty@countyarts.ca or janna@countyarts.ca.

2024 Jury

Three Canadian art professionals are solely responsible for determining the exhibition’s content and selecting the Jurors’ Choice Award winner and Honourable Mentions. We are pleased to welcome three exceptional jurors whose experience and insight will be instrumental in providing a high quality experience for both artist and visitor.

History

In 1993, with advice from the long-established Quinte Arts Council and seed money from the Community Development Corporation, the inaugural AITC Volunteer Committee (Paul Adams, June Boddington, Bob Hintz and Estelle Klein) set about planning the first show.

It was held in the lovely heritage space above the Picton Old Town Hall and for the next 18 years the space was converted annually into a fine art gallery displaying the best work of County artists.

In 2012, the exhibition moved to a new home, a much larger gallery space above Books and Company on Picton’s Main Street where it stayed until 2017. In 2018, the exhibition moved to The Armoury, centrally located on Main Street beside the Picton Public Library. During the pandemic the show was held online only, returning for in-person viewing in 2022. For the 30th Anniversary in 2023 the show moved to the historic Camp Picton, now Base31.

Over the years, Art in the County has grown in scope and stature, showcasing the highest quality works of art by Prince Edward County artists and artisans. Today, Art in the County is a signature event of the summer season in Prince Edward County. The show attracts thousands of visitors, generates meaningful opportunities for County artists, and provides economic benefits for businesses across the County.