Art Festival

The Muskoka Multicultural Association, in partnership with Zensation’s Emporium, would like to thank everyone who participated in the first official Muskoka Multicultural Art Festival that was held at the Zensation’s Emporium & Art Gallery through June 25 to July 4.
The exhibit featured numerous multicultural artists and their work, as well as some local artists from Muskoka. Over 100 people come out to support the festival, where they were welcomed to a display of world-class art that radiated off the cool waves of beautiful Lake Muskoka. 

From oil on canvas to hand crafted pottery, the Muskoka Multicultural Art Festival gave art enthusiasts an up-close and personal encounter with a variety of art media. Attendees were also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet the artists first hand, where they could ask questions regarding their art or the artist themselves.

Zensation’s Emporium owner Sarah Goossen expressed with great delight her reaction to the intimate atmosphere of the festival: “It was very nice to see our artists here, having fun and talking to our guests and each other”.

The Muskoka Multicultural Art Festival also saw the official launch of MAGO, the Multicultural Art Gallery of Ontario. Created to give a voice and showcase artists that would not normally be seen in mainstream, due to perhaps cultural, religious or societal limitations, MAGO strives to bring exposure to the artwork of Canadian ethnic minorities. For example, Pakistani Canadian housewives, African Canadian and Aboriginal artists, just to name a few.

The Muskoka Multicultural Association would like to thank Ash Walani for his time, effort and commitment to resources in preparation for this event. As well, the MMA would like to thank Sarah Goossen of Zensation’s Emporium & Art Gallery for the fabulous space offered for the festival, as well as her time and dedication to preparing her store for the event.  Finally, MMA would like to thank Krysia Bower for putting out a call to local immigrant artists. Her effort resulted in several local artists participating in launching this spectacular event.

Muskoka Multicultural Association Project Manager, Phyllis Winnington-Ingram, was quoted as saying, “Sarah’s enthusiasm is infectious and Ash’s work ethic tireless! Together in association with our organization, we have formed a highly effective team! The Multicultural Art Gallery of Ontario, the Muskoka Multicultural Association and Zensation’s Emporium & Art Gallery are looking forward to supporting multiculturalism and the arts in Muskoka by making this an annual event.”

Thank you again to everyone who helped out with this event! It was a tremendous success and we are looking forward to doing it again next year!