BACKGROUND

         Colours on the Bay was officially launched on October 28 and 29, 2006 at the Résidence Jardins Belle Rive, in Clarence-Rockland.  Gilles Yelle, founder and president fulfilled his dream of creating a non-profit high profile artistic organization to promote the arts as well as the work of seasoned artists.  He instituted a board made up of volunteer artists and citizens.

         This Art Show, in October of each year, has become a major event for professional artists as well as for connoisseurs and art lovers.  Visitors can network with the artists and share their passion for art or choose an artwork of their choice amongst approximately 450 paintings exhibited by 35 professional artists  From the beginning, Colours on the Bay adopted a fundamental value being the material or financial support, each year of a deserving community organization.

         Colours on the Bay was incorporated on March 4, 2008 and as such became accountable. Its annual Art Show quickly became one of the most important events of its type in Eastern Ontario.  Admission and parking to the show are free.   The official opening of each edition is held in the presence of dignitaries, an honorary president and, since 2008, a special guess. All proceeds from our silent auction (items given by local and regional merchants) and a draw of paintings (offered by exhibiting artists) are donated to the chosen community organization.

OUR ARTISTS

         Every annual Art Show hosts 35 artists, selected by a jury of experienced artists.  The artworks selected are of different styles and medium and presented by major artists from our community and from other areas in Ontario and Quebec. Many artists are of international standing and have exhibited in various regions of Canada, in Europe, in America and in Africa. The artworks of many of our artists are in private and corporate collections and in public galleries.

OUR ART SHOWS

2006 October 28 and 29 at the Résidence Jardins Belle Rive in Clarence-Rockland. Honourary President,  Ely Kish, Canadian artist of international renown and Member of the Order of Canada.
2007 October 27 and 28 at the Résidence Jardins Belle Rive, in Clarence-Rockland, Honourary President, Pierrette Dulude-Bohay, watercolour artist, Member of the Canadian Society of Artists.
2008 October 25 and 26 at the RiverRock Inn, in Clarence-Rockland. Honourary President,  Bernard Aimé Poulin, portraitist and artist,  Member of the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists  and of the National Gallery of Canada. Special Guest, Mr. Max Keeping, Vice-President, News and Public Affairs, CTV, Ontario.
2009 October 24 and 25 at the RiverRock Inn, in Clarence-Rockland, Honourary President, Mr.  Charles Spratt, SPCA, CSPWC.  Special Guest, Suzanne Pinel, also known as « Marie-Soleil ».  A musical program is integrated (violon, jazz ensemble, piano).
2010 October 30 and 31 at the RiverRock Inn, in Clarence-Rockland. Honourary President, Professor Yves, Larocque, mediologist and art historian.  Special Guest: ‘Marie-Soleil’.   

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In the course of its five editions, 225 works of art were sold.

Colours on the Bay is proud of its financial contribution to its selected organizations, totaling $44,000:

2006 - Centre culturel La Ste-Famille (Clarence-Rockland) - $3000
- Rockland Help Centre– $3,000
2007 - Centre culturel La Ste-Famille (Clarence-Rockland)  -  $6000
      (part of which was used to buy supplies for painting classes for children).
- Rockland Help Centre - $3,000
2008 - Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario - $6,000
- Centre  culturel La Ste-Famille - $3,000
2009 - Operation 20/20, Cancer Centre, Ottawa Hospital - $12,000
2010 - Centre for Innovative Cancer Research, Ottawa Hospital - $8,000
- Gift of two microphones to CTV22 (Community Television Network).