Early on Sunday morning, artists will gather with coffee in one hand and original art in the other, ready to greet visitors as Ladysmith’s First Avenue is transformed into the 27th annual Arts on the Avenue festival—a colourful, pedestrian-only celebration running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 24.
The festival, presented each year by Ladysmith Arts, has grown into one of Vancouver Island’s most anticipated summer art shows, bringing together more than 60 artisans who set up along the main street downtown to showcase their work. Attendees will find everything from original paintings and photography to jewellery, carving, fabric art, pottery and whimsical wearables.
Wandering through the booths, you may encounter a rustic willow chair from Andrew Kent, delicate glasswork from Diane Brinton, or bright, cheerful mixed-media paintings by Cara Weisner. Local favourites such as painter Ellen Brandson, known for her fearless abstracts, and Jennifer O’Brien, a multidisciplinary artist working in oils, acrylic, watercolour and ceramics, will be there alongside newcomers offering fresh perspectives.
The artistic mix is part of the appeal. Visitors can pick up a handcrafted guitar or ukulele from award-winning maker Bruce Whittington, pause at Dead Ringer Purses by Arielle Bonsor for reclaimed-leather bags with a spooky edge, or admire the detailed wildlife portraits burned into wood by Meghan Robertson.
For those drawn to functional art, there are hand-built pottery pieces, carved wooden spoons, and contemporary jewellery in silver, gold and reclaimed metals. With so many booths, festival-goers are encouraged to browse the lineup online in advance and plan their route.
But Arts on the Avenue is more than a market. It’s a day-long event filled with music, food and opportunities to watch artists at work.
Live music fills the street throughout the day, with performances ranging from Scott Rainone and Charlotte Wright’s dynamic vocals to the Copper Canyon Band’s classic country and early rock ’n’ roll. Nice Verdes bring Latin-inspired melodies, SueMack Music offers harmonized covers of everything from Radiohead to The Tragically Hip, while Sarah Leo adds indie-folk charm and Dos Cabezas rounds it out with pop, soft rock and originals.
Families can stop by the youth art zone, where young creators get their moment to shine, or watch demonstrations by working artists.
The always-popular paint competition returns, giving three emerging artists just one hour to create a work of art based on a surprise theme. Spectators watch the process unfold and then get to vote on the winner, adding a fun, interactive element.
There are fresh offerings too. New food vendors this year include Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream and Victoria’s Greek n’ Go, alongside Ladysmith’s own cafés and restaurants. The Ladysmith Downtown Business Association will host its annual sidewalk sale, while Bayview Brewing anchors the celebration with a beer garden — an ideal spot to relax and soak up the day.
One tradition that sets Arts on the Avenue apart is the guest artist program. Each year, organizers highlight one creator, offering festival-goers a chance to go beyond casual browsing and connect with an artist’s process and perspective. This year’s guest artist is Nanaimo-based painter and interior designer Patti Ransom, whose abstract mixed-media canvases combine bold colour and textured layers. Her work, often inspired by Italy and Vancouver Island’s coastal light, is about mood and memory as much as materials.
“I am endlessly fascinated by how colour can alter a mood, how a single bold line can anchor a scene or how layers of texture reveal traces of memory beneath the surface,” Ransom said. “Through my work, I hope to offer viewers a pause, an exhale, a sense that something familiar has been seen anew.”
Organizers describe her paintings as an invitation to slow down and notice subtle rhythms of light, form and texture. Ransom’s work is also featured at the Ladysmith Gallery.
For longtime attendees, Arts on the Avenue is as much about atmosphere as it is about acquisitions. It’s the easy rhythm of strolling down a closed-off main street, meeting makers face-to-face, listening to music drift from one end to the other, and pausing to watch a painter’s brush in action. It’s the conversations on the street, the scent of food from local vendors, and the chance to find a piece of art that sparks stories long after the festival.
Arts on the Avenue serves as a creative reminder that art is not only something to hang on a wall, but something to experience together in the heart of town.
The full lineup of artists and musicians is available online at www.artsontheavenue.ca.
