The purpose of the festival that will run from September 10 to16 is to celebrate PEI’s landscape, people, and buildings through art and to increase art sales of Island artists. Artists working in oil, acrylic, pastel and sketch will be invited to participate in selling their work and offering workshops.

Building on the success of the annual Studio Tour, the artists’ work will be on display for sale in nine communities across PEI. Visitors and Islanders can purchase art as well as participate in workshops where they can celebrate the beauty of PEI through art for themselves. Artists will offer outdoor workshops where participants can enjoy the scenery while painting the scene.

The Department is working with an advisory group of artists from across PEI to plan this week-long event. The group includes Almeda Thibodeau, Maurice Bernard, Anne Gallant, Henry Purdy, Carol Nicholson and Janet MacLellan.

“I have wanted an event like this for a while,” said artist Anne Gallant. “I am so happy to see it’s going to happen. It will be a tremendous promotion for Island artists.”

“PEI is often described as picture perfect,” said Minister Currie. “Well, let’s invite more Islanders and visitors to purchase the paintings of the great Island painters who have been inspired by PEI and to have a chance to paint with them for a day.”

The Department will invite established Island artists and also budding artists of various skill levels to participate. This is a celebration of the beauty of PEI and our culture and to further build the art industry on PEI.