Head to Ottawa for the Wakefest Arts Festival

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Friday, 06 July 2012 16:51

Art lovers who want to travel to Ontario this August should schedule their vacation toward the end of the month to take in the Wakefest Arts Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. This celebration of local performers and creators will take place from August 23-26 along the banks of the Gatineau River in Wakefield, Ontario.

Get quirky with art workshops

A number of workshops invite visitors to get in touch with their creative side, whether they have never used a paint brush or have spent their entire life immersed in art. During Jenn Hamilton's sketchbooking class, students will learn how to fill blank pages with textures, drawings and thoughts, thanks to the instructor's continuous inspiration.

Parents can also take their kids to Sophie Latreille's hula hooping class, where they will learn how to properly shake their hips to keep these colourful rings off the ground. As a member of Mini Cirque, Latreille is an expert on this art and has been hula hooping since she was 15 years old.

Bring the entire family to Films on the Bridge

During the Films on the Bridge event on August 24, visitors will have the opportunity to watch movies that were produced and directed by up-and-coming Canadian artists. This outdoor event takes place right at sunset, so attendees can get the best of Ottawa's art scene without missing the chance to enjoy stunning scenery.

Must-see exhibitions

Of course, what is the Wakefest Arts Festival without gallery spaces throughout the city? CJ Fleury, an interdisciplinary artist, is known for her numerous public installations, including 15 granite and bronze sculptures that are currently on display on Preston Street in Wakefield. She also dabbles in drawing, video, writing and performance pieces - many of which can be seen at the Workers Heritage Museum and Daimon/SAW New Media Centres.

German-born Franziska Heinze has tested the boundaries of her genre, taking provocative nude self portraits and profound street photos across Canada and North America. Now a permanent resident of Wakefield, Heinze has been a mainstay of the local art scene for years.