Ingersoll’s Fall Nature Art Walk returns in October

Bee painting done by Aftermath’s Taylor for last year’s Fall Nature Art Walk in 2024.

Kyrah Smith, Echo Contributor

Local artists are preparing once again for Ingersoll’s second Fall Nature Art Walk, hosted by Aftermath Tattoo Studios. Following the positive response to last year’s inaugural event, the studio has announced that the walk will return October 2–4, running daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Basically, we just want people to experience the outdoors and be one with nature,” says Sam Mansbridge of Aftermath Tattoo Studios. “And also to see what Ingersoll has to offer. The trail’s beautiful.”

The walk will take place along Lawson Trail, where artwork will be displayed among the trees, turning the natural space into a temporary open-air gallery. The idea for the event came to Mansbridge during a trip to Alberta.

“They had a bunch of art displays set up in the woods,” she recalls. “Then I came back and was like, man, it’d be really cool to bring something like that to the community here in town.”

Inspired by that blend of art and environment, Mansbridge and her team hosted Ingersoll’s first Nature Art Walk in October 2024. The response, she says, was encouraging.

“People enjoyed bringing their families out to see the exhibit, even kids. The music store (Ingersoll Music Academy) actually had its students involved last year.”

Artists from across Oxford County are invited to participate again this year, with all mediums welcome. Aftermath provides wooden canvases free of charge, many of which are made from repurposed materials.

“We’re using recycled product,” Mansbridge explains. “Some stuff is returned from weddings, some would’ve just gone to the garbage. So, the idea is to reuse and then give back to the community.”

All of the artists from the tattoo studio will be participating this year. The hope is for the Art Walk to become a lasting tradition in Ingersoll. Submissions are open until Sept. 29. For more details or to get involved, visit www.aftermathtattoostudios.ca.