Woodstock Art Gallery’s Taste of Art to feed art enthusiasts Sept. 19

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

A celebration of local arts and culture in Oxford County will return just ahead of the autumn equinox.

The Woodstock Art Gallery will host its 11th annual Taste of Art event on Sept. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. and will feature live music by CCI’s jazz duo and singer-songwriter Jack Redman, a DJ, photobooth, 15 local food vendors, a silent auction, and of course, visual art made by local artists.

"We really encourage everyone to come out, especially supporting the local artists,” said Keziah Hope, facility rentals and special events coordinator.

There will be an opportunity to listen to music and sample food from vendors such as My Kitchen, Reel Treats Popcorn and Sweets, and Amicucci’s on each of the gallery’s three floors. The silent auction bidding takes place online, but Taste of Art guests can see the items in person. Pieces featured in this year’s Visual Elements Exhibition will also be for sale.

Hope has watched the Taste of Art expand over the past few years. Her involvement in the event also grew over time.

"It's really exciting to see how the event has grown and branched out over those last three years, going from helping out, serving some samples and stuff to fully taking over and planning the event and branching it out, especially with Alex's [Hartstone] help, our new director and curator, being able to branch out our event even more,” she said.

Proceeds from the Taste of Art fundraiser will support the Woodstock Art Gallery’s programming and initiatives.

"We are a city-funded facility, but these events really help us raise funds to help us branch out our facility even more and provide more public events, more public programs, different exhibitions and basically just grow and expand our operations in general,” Hope said.

Early-bird tickets are still available for $65 to artists participating in the Visual Elements exhibition and previous Taste of Art attendees. The gallery, located at 449 Dundas St., is also holding a draw, with visitors able to enter for a chance to win a pair of Taste of Art tickets at the end of August.

After the early-bird period, tickets will be $75 each and can be purchased in person at the gallery or online through the Woodstock Art Gallery’s website at https://www.woodstockartgallery.ca/tasteofart.