Look Local – Celebrating Community
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Harbourside Scones

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These delicious, light scones are delicate and absolutely addictive. Make them at home, or try them at Harbourside for afternoon tea.

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Harbourside Scones

Recipe courtesy of Harbourside Artisan Kitchen + Bar, Bronte. Visit them at harbourside-kitchen.com or call 289.837.3383

Ingredients

  • 200g Flour
  • 50g Margarine
  • 125ml Whole Milk
  • 10g Baking Powder
  • 25-50g Sugar (depending on your taste)
  • Pinch of Salt

Instructions 

  • Sieve flour, baking power and salt and then rub in the margarine to a sandy texture
  • In a separate bowl, dissolve the sugar and milk together
  • Make a well in the centre of your bowl with the flour mixture, and gradually add in the milk
  • Mix lightly
  • Roll out two rounds to 1/2 inch thick
  • Cut rounds into 4, or use a scone cutter
  • Place on greased baking sheet
  • Milk wash the tops and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes
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Oakville Symphony Orchestra
In Articles

Treble In Paradise – Oakville Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years

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Much like a piece of music can start with just a few simple notes and build towards an exciting crescendo, the Oakville Symphony began small and grew to something grand. This year mark’s their 50th anniversary.

The Oakville Symphony began with 25 musicians, and now has over 80 volunteer musicians plus 11 professionals providing leadership and direction. “We (also) have two original founding members of the orchestra who still play with us – Jean Grieve (cello) and Paul Lancaster (oboe),” says Anna Hewitt, Co-Chair of the Oakville Symphony Board of Directors. Ken Hollier was the founding conductor who sadly passed away during a concert in 1973. “He was known to be a funny, enthusiastic, passionate musician,” Hewitt says. “The orchestra vowed to keep going in his honour. He really inspired a lot of musicians to keep going and his widow is still a great supporter.”

Oakville Symphony Orchestra

As well as playing countless performances over the last 50 years, the symphony has many community outreach programs in place. One example is the Young Artist Program.

Auditions take place each June, and “this year we have 10 high school students who play with the symphony for the year,” notes Hewitt. “They bring an energy to the symphony which is great. They also benefit from being mentored by the professionals and the senior musicians. When you look at the stage, you see a huge range in ages. It’s pretty cool.”

Oakville Symphony Orchestra

Other examples of the orchestra’s presence in the community include the annual Young People’s Concert, participation at festivals and culture days, as well as performances in schools and some mini concerts that are held in the lobby of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. This year, Hewitt says – thanks to some new sponsors – they’ll be able to perform at the Oakville Hospital and some seniors’ homes.

Today the Oakville Symphony is thriving. Under the inspired leadership of Maestro Roberto De Clara, it continues to present exciting and challenging programs for its audiences each season. Music is truly a universal language, and Hewitt notes that “the fact that it’s inclusive to everybody is great. It adds to the cultural fabric of the community.”

Oakville Symphony Orchestra

In addition to The Oakville Symphony Orchestra, there are several other orchestras in Hamilton, Burlington and Mississauga that enable you to enjoy an evening or afternoon of classical music close to home.

Symphony on the Bay, Burlington

Season: October 29 – May 13, 2018
The Symphony on the Bay began in 1973 as the McMaster Symphony Orchestra, left the university to become Symphony Hamilton in 1988, and rebranded as Symphony on the Bay in 2011 to reflect their role in the wider Hamilton-Burlington community. The current season lineup includes German Masters, Christmas classics, a crowd-pleasing Pops concert, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Canadian composer Louis Applebaum’s Three Stratford Fanfares, and more.
symphonyonthebay.ca

Oakville Chamber Orchestra

Season: October 21 – May 6, 2018
For over 30 years now, the Oakville Chamber Orchestra (OCO) has presented ensemble music featuring favourite classics, contemporary music, and rare gems in intimate settings. This season’s lineup includes the magic of Mozart, Youth Concerto Competitions and more.
oakvillechamber.org

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

Season: September 23 – May 12, 2018
Reconnect with old classics from Beethoven and Haydn, replenish the senses with a celebration of Russian composers and revive musical passion with a tribute to West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein. 9 performances in the 2017/18 Main Stage Series.
hpo.org

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra

Season: October 14 – May 26, 2018
The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1972 as the Mississauga Symphonic Association, an amateur community ensemble. Based out of Hammerson Hall, a world-class theatre at the heart of Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre, and offering entertaining and increasingly sophisticated programs.
mississaugasymphony.ca

by Becky Dumais

Local Links

Oakville Symphony Orchestra
oakvillesymphony.com

Symphony on the Bay
symphonyonthebay.ca

Oakville Chamber Orchestra
oakvillechamber.org

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
hpo.org

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra
mississaugasymphony.ca

Oakville Symphony Orchestra 

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Apple Crisp
In Community

Look Local’s Favourite Apple Crisp

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Local Ontario apples are now in season and available in abundance at most markets and grocery stores. This divine crumble recipe is outrageously delicious! With it’s crisp, crunchy coating and gooey, sweet base, it’s an apple crumble recipe that is bound to please.

Apple Crisp
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Look Local's Favourite Apple Crisp

Ingredients

  • 8 small-medium apples, peeled, cored and chopped (a variety of both sweet and tart – about 6 cups worth)
  • dash lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt

Topping

  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup butter

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a 9×9 baking dish.
  • Add apples to a large bowl or plastic bag and sprinkle with lemon juice. Toss to coat with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Transfer to baking dish and set aside.
  • Rinse and dry bowl and add brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon and stir. Add melted butter and mix until it resembles wet sand.
  • Sprinkle topping over the apples and bake until apples are soft and topping is golden brown (between 45 minutes to 1 hour).
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

It's great with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

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    Biennial Craft at Art Gallery of Burlington
    In Arts & Events

    National Craft Exhibition at Burlington Art Gallery

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    Bringing together more than sixty makers from across Canada, Can Craft? Craft Can! will present works in glass, ceramics, wood, metal, and fibre that address three sub themes exploring ideas of Identity, Sustainability and Materiality.

    The National Craft Exhibition is on now until October 29, 2017 at the Art Gallery of Burlington.

    Exhibitions

    National Craft Exhibition: Can Craft? Craft Can!
    August 19-October 29, 2017
    Bringing together seventy makers from across Canada, Can Craft? Craft Can! will present works in glass, ceramics, wood, metal and fibre that address three sub-themes exploring ideas of Identity, Sustainability and Materiality.

    Craft Ontario Provincial Exhibition: Nothing is Newer than Tradition
    August 19-October 29, 2017
    Craft Ontario’s Nothing is Newer than Tradition will present the work of emerging Ontario makers that reflect a dedicated engagement with specialized skills and materials. The exhibition will explore how craft materials, tools and processes are creatively reiterated through the hands of a new generation of makers.

    AGB Provincial Exhibition – Setting Ontario’s Table: Once Upon a Time
    August 19-December 31, 2017
    Drawing from the Art Gallery of Burlington’s Permanent Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics, Once Upon a Time will present a special exhibition exploring functional ware from Ontario ceramists. Each artist selected will be represented through both a piece from their early years, juxtaposed against a recent work to explore the progression in their practice.

    International Ceramic Exhibition – Anton Reijnders
    September 9-October 29, 2017
    Dutch ceramist Anton Reijnders will present his new work in a solo exhibition. Anton Reijnders graduated at the Fine Art Academy in Hertogenbosh in 1981. He participated in exhibitions throughout the world and contributed to conferences and symposia and has given lectures in Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA. He has contributed to the creation of what in 1991 was to become the European Ceramic Work Center (EKWC)—Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. As head of studios and workshops of the EKWC Reijnders was involved in dialogue with artists from all over the world. He was the driving force behind setting up the material research program and is the author of the book The Ceramic Process jointly with the EKWC published by A&C Black in London, and Pennsylvania Press in the USA. He has been three times visiting professor in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

    craft biennial logoCan Craft? Craft Can! includes the work of:

    • Pierre Aupilardjuk
    • Carole Baillargeon
    • Louise Lemieux Bérubé
    • Beth Biggs
    • Robert Brown
    • Teresa Burrows
    • Karen Cantine
    • Bridget Catchpole
    • Kai Chan
    • Janice Wright Cheney
    • Brigitte Clavette
    • Jess Riva Cooper
    • Brad Copping
    • Marie-Andrée Côté
    • Gabrielle Desmarais
    • Brothers Dressler
    • Robin DuPont
    • Susan Edgerley
    • Michael Flaherty
    • Reid Flock
    • Pascale Girardin
    • Matt Gould
    • Igah Hainnu
    • Barb Hunt
    • Elisapee Ishulutaq
    • Jean Kagyut
    • Kawtysie Kakee
    • Benjamin Kikkert
    • Catherine Kiliktee
    • Elsie Klengenberg
    • Sandra Ledingham
    • Lou Lynn
    • Janet Macpherson
    • Michael Massie
    • Bettina Matzkuhn
    • Paul McClure
    • Caroline Ouellette
    • Greg Payce
    • Luce Pelletier
    • Gord Peteran
    • Claudio Pino
    • Anne Drew Potter
    • Elizabeth Quiningnaaq
    • Shona Rae
    • Pamela Ritchie
    • Ruth Scheuing
    • Amir Sheikhvand
    • Wendy Shirran
    • Eva Siakuluk
    • Greg Sims
    • Anita Singh
    • Cheryl Wilson Smith
    • EartHand Gleaners Society
    • Despo Sophocleous
    • Susan Surette
    • Winnie Tatya
    • Ningeokuluk Teevee
    • Yvonne Thomas
    • Barbara Tipton
    • Anna Torma
    • Annie Tung
    • Jessica Vellenga
    • Angelika Werth
    • Zane Wilcox
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    Familia Fine Foods
    In Community

    Ropa Vieja with Cuban Style Rice, Plantain Chips & Guacamole

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    Ropa Vieja is a classic Colombian dish and perfect for a family meal. Made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the combination of flavours in this dish will have you dreaming of South America! Find this, and other great family friendly meals, ready-made from Familia Fine Foods in Burlington.

    Familia Fine Foods
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    Ropa Vieja with Cuban Style Rice, Plantain Chips & Guacamole

    Recipe courtesy of Familia Fine Foods, Burlington. Visit them at familiafinefoods.com or call 905.632.9299

    Ingredients

    The Meat:

    • 1 pound of flank steak or eye of round
    • ¼ red pepper
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 tbsp salt
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 tbsp thyme
    • 2 litres of water or chicken stock

    The Sauce:

    • 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • ½ cup of diced Spanish onion
    • 2 diced Roma tomatoes
    • Pinch of ground cumin
    • Salt to taste

    The Guacamole:

    • 2 ripe avocados
    • ¼ green onion, finely chopped
    • 1 lime
    • 1 tomato, finely chopped
    • ½ tbsp salt
    • ¼ cup of onion, finely chopped
    • 2 tbsp of finely chopped cilantro
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions 

    • Place the meat in a pressure cooker or in a slow cooker with the chicken stock and all the ingredients mentioned above. Cook until very tender, then allow it to cool down and shred.
    • For the sauce, place the butter and oil in a skillet and then sautee the onions until soft, add the tomatoes, cumin and salt, mix and then slowly cook at low heat for about 10 minutes.
    • For the guacamole, combine all the ingredients together with a fork, mix well.
    • Combine the sauce and the pulled beef, and add half a cup of the broth used to cook the meat.
    • Serve over Cuban style rice with guacamole at the side. This recipe works great as a meal or as a bite size appetizer for any special occasion.
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    Books by local writers in Burlington
    In Community

    Read Local: Writers in Residence

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    The library has your local reading material! As a writer for young people, I know first hand the instant connection a local story setting can have on a young person. Burlington kids love knowing that something exciting can happen in their own back yard, it encourages them not only to read but to write themselves especially knowing the author lives close by too!

    But also as a reader myself and a traveller I love reading stories from the places I’ve visited or, even better, about the place I live. Therefor to celebrate Canada 150, A Different Drummer Books owner, Ian Elliott and I worked together with Burlington public librarians to create a display that would show visitors and residents some locally produced literature.

    This book display features 71 books from a variety of both children’s and adult’s authors and illustrators. The exhibit has already traveled to many libraries and will continue to December 2017. Visit the display and enjoy reading local:

    · September – Brant Hills

    · October – Central

    · November – Aldershot

    · December – Central

    Submitted by Burlington children’s author, Sylvia McNicoll
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    6 Easy Zingy Burger Sauces
    In Community

    6 Easy Zingy Burger Sauces

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    6 Easy Zingy Burger Sauces
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    6 Easy Zingy Burger Sauces

     
    Barbecue season isn't over yet. These sauces will pair well with your favourite burger recipe, or anything you choose to throw on the grill and put between a bun. Most of them are mayo-based, and can be whipped together in less than five minutes!  These quantities all make enough for four burgers.

    Ingredients

    AVOCADO SAUCE

    • 1/2 ripe avocado
    • 1 tsp. lime juice
    • fresh chives, chopped
    • salt & freshly ground pepper

    GARLIC MAYO

    • 3 cloves, fresh garlic
    • 2 ½ tbls. mayonnaise
    • 1 tbls. shallots, minced
    • ½ tsp. lemon juice
    • 1 tsp. parsley, chopped
    • salt & freshly ground pepper

    CURRY MUSTARD SAUCE

    • 2 ½ tbls. of mayonnaise
    • ¾ tsp. curry powder
    • 1 tsp. grainy mustard
    • ½ tsp. lemon juice
    • fresh chives, chopped
    • salt & freshly ground pepper

    HOT PEPPERED MAYO

    • 2 ½ tbls. mayonnaise
    • 1 ½ tsp. lime juice
    • 1 tsp. hot crushed chili peppers

    TOASTED SESAME & SOY MAYO

    • 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
    • 1 tsp. lower sodium soy sauce
    • 2 ½ tbs. of mayonnaise

    HERBED MAYO

    • 1 ½ tbs. mayonnaise
    • 1 tbls. light sour cream
    • 1 tbls. fresh basil, chopped
    • 1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
    • 1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
    • 1 tsp. fresh chive, chopped

    Instructions 

    AVOCADO SAUCE

    • Mash up half a ripe avocado, and combine with a teaspoon of lime juice, some freshly chopped chives, salt & freshly ground pepper. A classic!

    GARLIC MAYO

    • Pound 3 cloves of fresh garlic in a mortar, and then combine with 2 ½ tablespoons of mayonnaise, a tablespoon of minced shallots, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, a teaspoon of chopped fresh parsley, salt & freshly ground pepper. No kissing after this one!

    CURRY MUSTARD SAUCE

    • Start with 2 ½ tablespoons of mayonnaise, and add ¾ teaspoon of curry powder, a teaspoon of grainy mustard, ½ teaspoon of lemon juice, some freshly chopped chives, salt & freshly ground pepper. Stir all the ingredients together until blended. Instant Bollywood burger!

    HOT PEPPERED MAYO

    • Mix together 2 ½ tablespoons of mayonnaise with 1 ½ teaspoons of lime juice and a teaspoon of hot crushed chili peppers. Hold on to your hats!

    TOASTED SESAME & SOY MAYO

    • Add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil and a teaspoon of lower sodium soy sauce to 2 ½ tablespoons of mayonnaise and mix well. Let stand for an hour or so for all the flavours to meld. Soy-sational!

    HERBED MAYO

    • Combine 1 ½ tablespoons of mayonnaise with a tablespoon of light sour cream to make your base. Then add a selection of fresh herbs. We recommend a tablespoon of chopped fresh basil, and a teaspoon each of freshly chopped thyme, parsley and chives. Mix well. Make use of that herb garden!
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    Continuing Education
    In Articles

    Adults Aren’t Too Cool For School – Head Back to Class & Learn Something New

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    Going back to school isn’t just for kids anymore. Local high schools, colleges and universities in Halton now offer such a wide range of programs for adults that it’s tempting to join the kids when they head back to the classrooms in the fall. We have so many opportunities to change career track, learn a new language or upgrade skills and knowledge, and it’s all local.

    Here is a sampling of what’s available at three local schools: 

    Gary Allan High School

    There’s a course at Gary Allan High School in Burlington called Designing your Future, which is an apt description for the school’s overall selection of continuing education programs. The school offers a wide range of adult continuing education programs in many areas and offers credit and non-credit courses and classes in English as a Second Language, skilled trades and job search.

    The classes come in various forms, from night school to summer school, co-operative learning and online learning. In the area of skilled trades, the board partners with The Centre for Skills Development and Training and offers a free 20-week career and trades exploration program that includes hands-on training in manufacturing, electrical and construction.

    Language courses for adults have grown in popularity and Gary Allan now offers Korean, Arabic, Urdu, Mandarin, Romanian, German and Spanish. While German has been one of their most popular courses, there has been increased interest in Spanish and for the first time, they are offering Romanian this fall. Mandarin was started about three years ago and has also become one of their most popular languages.

    Their online classes include English, math, science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and computers, as well as photography, nutrition and health and parenting. Math and English are popular with adults who want to obtain their OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) to open up career opportunities. There are even correspondence courses for inmates at the Maplehurst and Vanier Prisons to help them prepare for jobs when they’re released.

    Continuing Education

    Sheridan College

    At Sheridan College’s Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies, you can take general interest classes on everything from Psychology Core Concepts to The History of Chocolate, as well as college prep courses in both Math and Science. There’s also the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) program, which is a high school equivalency program for adult learners looking to achieve their educational goals. With classes offered online, in-person, and in a specialized hybrid environment, adult learners can look forward to tackling their passion in Digital Photography, Bereavement Studies, Small Business Bookkeeping, Home Inspector Training, and many other areas of study.

    Sheridan promotes over 450 courses while providing flexibility with courses ranging from one-day workshops to 14-week programs. Sheridan currently boasts such popular programs as Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Visual Design Interior Decorating, and French. Due to their popularity and many requests for more technology based courses, the College is launching new technology-related programs for their fall semester. “We’ve seen an increased interest in technology and analytics, which is why we launched our Data Science certificate for the upcoming term”, says Marcela Velez-Pulgarin, Program Manager for Sheridan’s Faculty of Continuing and Professional Studies.

    DeGroote School of Business

    The image most of us have of the McMaster University DeGroote School of Business is that it’s a full-time academy for budding MBA students. In fact, the South Service Road school in East Burlington offers a number of short-term classes during the day and night that are Executive Education courses targeted to mid and senior level managers, directors, executives and entrepreneurs. The Executive Education programs are split up into the areas of healthcare leadership, executive management and continuing education-style programs.

    by Denise Davy

    Local Links

    Gary Allan High School, Burlington
    garyallan.ca/adult-students

    The Centre for Skills Development and Training
    thecentre.on.ca/skilledtrades

    DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
    execed.degroote.mcmaster.ca

    Sheridan College
    caps.sheridancollege.ca

     

    Continuing Education

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    Espresso Energy Bites
    In Appetizer

    Espresso Energy Bites. Raw, Vegan and Gluten-Free

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    On the run and need a quick pick-me-up? These Espresso Bites are sure to do the trick! Made by hand every day at Piazza Bistro, and available in their café, these Bites are raw, vegan and gluten-free – making them a perfect ‘anytime’ snack that you’ll feel good about!

    Espresso Energy Bites
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    Espresso Energy Bites. Raw, Vegan and Gluten-Free

    Recipe courtesy of Piazza Bistro, Oakville. Visit them at piazzabistro.ca or call 905.618.0255

    Ingredients

    • 2 Cups Medjool pitted dates
    • 1/4 Cup freshly brewed espresso (to soak dates)
    • 1 Tsp vanilla
    • 2 Cups walnuts, finely chopped
    • 1 Dash salt
    • 1 Tsp cinnamon
    • 2 Tbsp raw cocoa powder

    Coating:

    • 3 Tbsp raw cocoa powder
    • 1 Tbsp freshly ground espresso beans

    Instructions 

    • Soak the dates in hot freshly brewed espresso for 30 minutes.
    • While the dates are soaking, combine the walnuts, cocoa, salt and cinnamon in a food processor.
    • Remove the dry mixed ingredients from the processor and then process the dates and vanilla to form a paste.
    • Return the dry mix to the processor and combine with the date paste.
    • Remove and freeze for 1 hour.
    • Finally, form your mixture into balls and roll them in the raw cocoa powder mixed with freshly ground espresso beans.
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    paint brushes-art in the park oakville
    In Community

    Art in the Park

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    Art in the Park is renowned for being one of the best run art shows in southern Ontario. And it’s coming up soon! Presented by the Oakville Art Society, this year’s event is on Monday, August 7. Show hours 10am – 5pm.

    This year marks the annual event’s 52nd year running. There will be 175+ exhibitors, live music and a chance to sit and relax at the food & beer garden, hosted by Yolanda’s Spuntino Casa.

    Admission is just $5/adult. Children under 12 are free – bring them along and introduce them to the wonderful world of art (and enjoy the beauty of Oakville’s waterfront – and get some fresh air too).

    Visit artintheparkoakville.com or the event page on Facebook.

    Located at: Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, Bronte Road and Ontario Street.

    Art in the Park Poster

    About the Event:

    In 1965 the Society created Art in the Park to promote local artists and artisans, and today this show has blossomed into Oakville’s major art event.

    Every medium is represented, from traditional oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings to glass, ceramics, photography, mixed media, sculptures and fine jewellery.

    As you browse, meet and chat with the artists and learn about their work.

    Your $5 admission helps maintain the Oakville Art Society and affords the organization to raise funds to subsidize programming and act as a venue for furthering interest and knowledge of the world of art.

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