What started as a casual pop-up art show and sale on the shore of Georgian Bay has become one of the longest running festivals in Collingwood – even longer than the Elvis Festival.
This weekend, the Collingwood Arts and Music Festival (CAMF) returns for its 32nd year, and the volunteers who run it are expecting it to be the biggest year yet.
For the first time, the event is taking place inside the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena downtown Collingwood.
“The arena is going to look absolutely fabulous,” said CAMF chairperson Yvonne Gibson, who has been involved with the event for the last 15 years. “It’s a family-oriented event with a friendly atmosphere, and just about every type of art you can think of.”
CAMF began at Sunset Point with local artists gathering annually to put on an art show and sale in a very relaxed setting. It began with the Blue Mountain School of Landscape and eventually was part of the Georgian Bay Association for the Creative Arts (GBACA) mandate, which is when Gibson got involved.
The event grew and moved to the Pine Street Parking lot. In 2012, GBACA amalgamated with the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts (BMFA) the event moved again to the Collingwood Museum, where it’s been for the past five years.
Gibson said her motivation for planning and volunteering at the event every year is the connection it brings to art and community.
“I want to see [art] out there and being promoted,” said Gibson. “It’s good to keep it running, it’s got longevity.”
She said it would be great to find “someone younger” who wants to learn about organizing the event and is passionate about keeping it running to eventually take over for her.
The event includes a juried art show with youth and adult categories. Each artist (there are more than 50) will also have a booth at the event where works can be purchased.
There will be art demonstrations, live music, food by the Syrian Kitchen, and a children’s arts and crafts tent.
There is room for just one more adult artist in the event, and those interested can contact the BMFA here.
Admission is free, but there will be volunteers accepting donations for the BMFA youth and children’s programs. There is also a silent auction that includes items donated by artists and artisans and all proceeds will go to the BMFA children and youth programs.
While at the event, keep an eye out for a group of paintings by the Raglan Retirement Village painters. Gibson goes to the regularly to lead a painting class, and is bringing those art works to the show to be included in the juried competition.
There will also be a special performance on Sunday by Greg Gibson and Deb Fitzsimmons. Gibson is originally from Collingwood, but has been working as a music director for a cruise line. He'll be home for a visit over the weekend and agreed to perform.
CAMF runs Saturday, Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more, click here.
