Why You Should
Join Us in 2023

Guelph Creative Arts Association (GCAA) is a welcoming visual arts organization, open to everyone practicing or interested in the arts in Guelph and surrounding areas.  We work to keep art alive and healthy in our community by promoting and encouraging local artists.  

Art Exhibitions

Each year we present three juried art shows. Whether an amateur or professional artist, showing your work is important.  You gain confidence in your abilities, inspiration to try something new in your creative practice, experience in displaying your work to best advantage and sometimes a sale results when your work is seen.  In addition to entering work, there are lots of opportunities to get involved with the shows.  For shows to happen we need volunteers to assist with the following:

·         Committee coordination (oversee volunteers and report to the board)

·         Juror liaison (retain juror for show, meet and assist during jurying)

·         Registration including call for entry

·         Promotion including flyers and other advertising

·         Setup including hanging the artwork, take down, preparing labels 

·         Public relations including greeting the public, opening receptions, award presentations

SPRING SHOW & SALE:  Held at Olde Quebec Street Shoppes on 28th, 29th and 30th of April 2023

EXPRESSIONS held at Kloepfer Gallery - October 2023

Guelph Artisans

The GCAA operates a storefront in Old Quebec Street, called Guelph Artisans, a wholly volunteer-run venue for the community and visitors to Guelph to browse and purchase locally produced fine arts & crafts.  Statistics shows that Guelph Artisans has more than 7,000 visitors annually, so this is an excellent way to showcase your work. Guelph Artisans operates by renting space to participating artists and taking a commission on sales.  We strive to make Guelph Artisans an affordable venue for artisans to show their artwork and to be able to interact directly with the public. Each participant volunteers a minimum of 4 hours a month in the store.  There is both wall space and display shelves to accommodate many different one-of-a-kind works. 

Guelph Artisans had another profitable year in 2022 and we are now looking forward to growing the business. To do so, Guelph Artisans is reaching out to the membership of GCAA, looking for new artisans to contribute their work for display, so that visitors are motivated to make frequent repeat visits.   
If you would like to test the waters, come see us at Guelph Artisans or give us a call at (519) 829-3792 and arrange a time to see Irene and Heather.  Until all spaces are occupied, the one picture for one month for $10 is on offer. 

We are also looking for anyone that can lend us a hand with better establishing Guelph Artisans on Facebook and Instagram.

Cashiers are especially needed to ensure we remain operational. Training is provided. If you know of anyone willing to volunteer their time to work in a pleasant environment surrounded by beautiful art, please contact Guelph Artisans.

Play Days

In keeping with our mission to provide learning opportunities for artists to develop their skills we provide these open studios where artists bring their projects to work on in the company of both experienced and novice artists:  first Tuesdays and third Thursdays at the Unifor Hall on Silvercreek Pwy. 

         Jan 7; Feb 4; Mar 3; Apr 7; May 5; Jun 2 – Cost $60

        Jan 16; Feb 20; Mar 19; Apr 16; May 21; Jun 18 – Cost $60

      Sep 1; Oct 6; Nov 3 – Cost $30

      Sep 17; Oct 15; Nov 19 – Cost $30

For more information contact Kathy Lawrence

Doors open at 8:45 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. - come when you want, leave when you want.  Bring your lunch; coffee and tea is provided.  There is space for 15 artists to work (or the maximum as directed by COVID regulations). Eeasels are not provided, but there are tables, chairs and great lighting, free parking, a microwave and fridge.

Artists pay in advance for winter sessions as we have usually already paid for the rental of space.

Payment by Debit or Credit at Guelph Artisans, or Cash or Cheque at first Play Day is accepted.

Meet & Greet Members Social Night

Member nights are for social interaction and enable discussion around a given art-  themed topic of interest.  Two events were well attended in 2019 with guest  speakers including local artist Jessica Masters and photographer Don Johnson. GCAA rents  the Unifor Building for the evening, pays the guest speaker and  provides  refreshments.  

The date for the next Meet and Greet is yet to be announced. 

About Our Annual General Meeting (AGM)

To ensure the continuation of all these wonderful programs, GCAA needs to fill several Director positions at the  GCAA Annual General Meeting (AGM).  The AGM is usually held at the Art Gallery of Guelph located at 358 Gordon Street, Guelph ON.  

Persons who have a valid membership at the time of the AGM may bring forth the name of a candidate to stand for election by those members present at the AGM. To bring forth a candidate, this form must be completed and submitted to the Secretary 24 hours prior to the AGM.  The completed form may be dropped off at Guelph Artisans in the Old Quebec Street Shoppes, downtown Guelph.  Forms are available at Guelph Artisans and  can be download online.  However, in 2021 no election of officers has been necessary.

In addition to the election of new board members, the AGM includes a private guided tour of the current gallery exhibits, a brief business discussion from our accountant and lots of time for refreshments and socializing.  We look forward to seeing you there when COVID restrictions permit!