About

Our mission

The North Grenville Arts Guild (NGAG) will provide support and encouragement to its Members, whether aspiring or established artists. The Guild will promote visual arts education and outreach in our community that will reflect our pride in North Grenville’s art, culture and heritage.

Our Executive Officers

What our members say about their experience with the guild

Through these reflections, our members celebrate the encouragement they’ve found in NGAG and the joy of sharing art that brings people together, creating meaningful connections within the North Grenville community.

It was my first indoor [Wonderfall] Art Show with the guild and I was fairly nervous not knowing what to expect. I was so impressed by the organization and how smooth the setting up and taking down went for so many exhibitors. I was well supported by many seasoned artists who coached me on best practices and I learned so much from many who generously supported my first time showing my work. I was positively impacted by the interaction with my fellow artists and finally felt like I found my community and was deeply touched by a few who ran over to congratulate me on my first sale. Prior to this experience I often kept to myself at meetings, now I think my experience will be richer at the guild meetings with everyone. The other take away from the weekend was the wonderful people who came to enjoy our work and the interest in my process, why I began to paint, how I find subjects to paint and the passion I discovered inside myself through the arts. I may have inspired some folks to explore the arts! 

Rose

I participated in Buskerfest by exhibiting my art and really enjoyed meeting and talking to some of the people there.  I did not sell anything, but I did have an opportunity to find out more about our town from the locals.  They would sit down next to me and talk about my art, when and how I got started and then describe some of the many types of hobbies they themselves had.  A great way to interact with possible new clients that enjoy glass. 

Wonderfall Events have always been a very interesting show, a lot of visitors from many areas around Ottawa would show up and come to my booth to engage about the type of glass I was into.  I also had visitors from other areas of the glass group that would come and have great discussions about types of media, how I developed a certain style, etc.  Wonderful time to take some time and talk to the many visitors, always a great learning experience.

Sharon

Wonderfall art show and sale: Participating in this event as my very first art show was truly transformative. With the support of the guild and the grant, I was able to take a daunting dream—sharing my work publicly—and actually make it happen. Local artists helped me learn how to display my work and set up my booth, and the encouragement I received from visitors reminded me how meaningful art can be in bringing joy to our community. This experience not only helped me grow as an artist but strengthened my connection to the people around me.

Michelle

As a participant in the Wonderfall art show, I got the opportunity to chat with a number of  local residents. They were interested in the various painting techniques that I used and enjoyed all the diversified art that were on display at our show.

Aspa

I was a Wonderfall participant. On a personal level, showing my art has helped me grow as a person. I have always had issues with confidence and anxiety.  Showing my work to the public has helped me boost my confidence.  As for the community, art resonates with people for reasons we cannot anticipate. During the Wonderfall art show, one dear lady started weeping while looking at my work. I asked her if she saw something that brought up a memory. She said no, it was the sheer beauty of the art that brought her to tears. Of course, that made me tear up as well.  To touch someone so deeply with your art meant more to me than any monetary success.  

Brenda

As a person who was a new, senior resident to Kemptville & someone who enjoyed painting, I found the North Grenville Art Guild. Since joining the Guild it has helped me make various connections with residents of Kemptville, which for a senior isn’t an easy task. 

The Guild & participating in Wonderfall has helped me to showcase my paintings, gain confidence & learn more about my craft as well as creating an interest in other type of artistic work. Again, so important for seniors to learn new things & stay active. I noticed, particularly this Wonderfall year, the increase in the number of young people who attended the Art Show & expressed an interest in the arts! Which was wonderfully to see!

Without the Guild’s presence in Kemptville, for me, it would have been difficult to meet new people & be active in the community.

Heartfelt thanks to the Guild & to Kemptville for supporting the arts!

 Carolyn

At our last Wonderfall event, a woman approached my booth and we began talking about my Warrior Series. She was especially drawn to my piece Joy – The Laughing Warrior. I shared that this series was created after the passing of my sister from cancer, and that each painting was meant to portray strong, resilient women. As she looked through my Warrior Woman calendar—featuring all ten paintings paired with inspirational quotes—I saw her eyes fill with tears. When I gently asked what had touched her so deeply, she told me that her husband had recently passed away from cancer. She said she aspired to become the woman embodied in Joy. We ended up embracing, united by shared loss and shared strength. She bought the calendar, and I gifted her a few other items featuring Joy. In that moment, we connected not just as artist and viewer, but as two people finding comfort and hope through art.     

Julie

I have never shown my art to anyone but family and friends, even though I have been creating art for quite some time. I joined the guild in the spring of 2024 and decided to “bite the bullet” and join in the “Wonderfall” show this year. 

It was a wonderful experience! There was so much support and cheering on from my fellow artists. I felt a part of something special. The venue was well thought out and the set up, tear down went so well with many hands making for light work. Our spouses helped out, which I thought was great and so supportive of their loved ones. 

It was very nice to see and chat with our Mayor! Nancy took her time and really engaged with the artists. So nice to see such support for Kemptville’s local talent and community participation!

As a member of our community and a member of the guild I want to express my deep gratitude for the support we receive from our municipality! These events help bring exposure for the artists and brings the community together to appreciate, meet and get to know each other. I look forward to many other events and growing with my community!

Sandra

I joined NGAG about a year and a half ago, not long after I retired and first started exploring art more as a form of therapy.  At the time, I never thought I’d ever show my work publicly—I was creating simply because it brought me joy. But joining this guild changed everything for me. The support, encouragement, and genuine kindness from fellow members helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. They shared tips, answered questions, and made me feel like I truly belonged. Because of that, I’ve now shown my art in a few exhibits, including Wonderfall at WB George, something I never imagined myself doing. What I love most isn’t the idea of selling work, but connecting with people who stop to learn about the medium I use and the stories behind the pieces. Sharing something I’m passionate about has been incredibly fulfilling. And when someone tells me they feel inspired to try creating themselves—or when they come to one of the classes I’ve taught locally—it honestly means the world. Watching others light up with excitement over their own art reminds me why I started, and it’s such a privilege to encourage them along their journey. 

 Cheryl