Paint the Town 2026

Paint the Town has been adapted for 2026 to streamline logistics and reduce upfront costs, allowing the event to focus more directly on its core goal: raising vital operational funds for ARTSPLACE. This shift reflects the current landscape for arts organisations, including recent reductions in arts and culture funding, and ensures the event remains sustainable while continuing to foster community engagement and artist participation.

For visitors and bidders
Paint the Town 2026 will take place at ARTSPLACE and around the town of Annapolis Royal and from artist's studios, on August 15 & 16, 2026. The event will bring artists into the community to create work outdoors throughout the weekend, while a selection of artists will create works for auction from their studios. Visitors can meet artists, see artwork in progress, and on Sunday, enjoy an opportunity to view completed pieces at ARTSPLACE before they are included in a week-long online auction.

Artwork in the Auction
In the lead-up to Paint the Town on August 15 & 16, we will be adding artists’ studio works to the auction site. These works will be available to purchase at a Buy Now price.

Artwork created during the Paint the Town weekend will be added to the site as it arrives, ready for the auction to open on August 17.

From August 17–21, you’ll be able to browse and purchase studio works at their Buy Now prices, as well as bid on the artwork created during the weekend.

Support ARTSPLACE
Not bidding this year, or would you like to do a little more? An optional donation helps ARTSPLACE continue to present exhibitions, artist opportunities, children's and family programs, workshops and community arts experiences throughout the year.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps keep the arts thriving in our community. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to the participating artists, volunteers and bidders, and thank you to Brent Goertzen, our event sponsor!

ARTSPLACE is a contemporary visual arts gallery and arts centre that is operated by the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council (ARCAC). ARCAC is a registered charitable, community arts organisation dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts. Located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia; a place that artists seem to be naturally drawn to, ARCAC was founded by a group of artists in 1982. We support artistic endeavors from youth to professional. We present workshops, talks, film screenings, readings, and music. We have two permanent staff, a volunteer Board, and a host of community volunteers.