A Palette of Possibilities: Your Weekend Guide to Arts & Culture in Lanark County

Calling all art lovers, culture embracers, and creative spirits! Your weekend arts and culture exploration is only a short drive away in Lanark County, where artists go to create, culture is cherished, and small communities are alive with vibrant creativity.

Set off on a creative journey through the best of art and culture in Lanark County and immerse yourself in captivating events, inspiring studio tours, and artistic experiences to ignite your imagination and leave you inspired.

Consider this your two-night, three-day weekend guide to amazing art and culture in Lanark County.

Day One

Start your trip in the creative hotspot of Mississippi Mills, where artists and artisans come from all over to settle and craft beautiful works of art. This community is renowned for its artistic community and is the perfect place to begin your cultural immersion in Lanark County.

Be Inspired:

• Wander through Almonte to take in the historic murals found throughout the downtown core.
• Explore each of the four downtown galleries: General Fine Craft, Sarah Jaynes & Dawn Walker Art, Sivarulrasa Gallery and Morrow Gallery to experience local and national artists of all mediums.
• Mississippi Mills runs three amazing annual artistic shows and tours, the Pakenham Maple Run Tour (first weekend in April), the Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour (Thanksgiving weekend), and Art in the Attic (Mother’s Day weekend).
• The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum offers a unique perspective on art in textile form and is worth a visit.
• See if you can spot the bronze statue of Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, in the downtown core, or the outdoor art exhibit, “Shelter Tissage,” at Metcalfe Geoheritage Park.
• Looking for art supplies to create your own masterpiece? Stop in to JB Arts Store on Mill Street in downtown Almonte.
• Look for the work of local artists on display while sipping your afternoon tea at Tea and Cake in Almonte.

Where to Stay: The setting overlooking Mississippi River will be inspiration enough during a stay in Almonte at The Monte Inn & Lounge. In Carleton Place, you can spend the night at The Comfort Inn or the more historic setting of The Grand Hotel.

Day Two

Your artistic journey begins today in Carleton Place and ends in heritage Perth. Expect to encounter outdoor art, indoor galleries, and inspiring vistas. As you travel through the two communities, see how the unique history for each has influenced the artistic vibe there.

Be Inspired:

• The Carleton Place Gallery in downtown Carleton Place is a must visit to explore the works of local artists and artisans. Make this your first stop and see if anything catches your eye here.
• Look for the statue of the World War II flying ace, Captain A. Roy Brown. Visit the Roy Brown Museum and Visitor Information Centre to learn more about this local hero.
• Stop in at the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum to get a sense for the historic flavour of the community, and its lumber and sawmilling history.
• Be in Carleton Place the first weekend in May for the annual Arts Carleton Place Fine Art Show.
• Dine surrounded by works of local artists at Freska Café in Carleton Place or Gather in Perth.
• In Perth, visit Stewart Park to see the larger-than-life statue of the equestrian athlete and Olympic gold medallist, Ian Millar, riding his famous horse, Big Ben.
• Find creative and inspiring local art in Perth at Riverguild Fine Crafts, right on Gore Street in the downtown core.
• Just a few feet away from Riverguild, the Perth Museum (Matheson House) houses information about Perth’s history – look for information about the famous Last Duel that took place here.
• Perth is renowned for the long-running Perth Autumn Studio Tour which takes place over Thanksgiving weekend and features dozens of studio stops in Perth and the surrounding area.
• Pick up one of Art & Class’s craft kits in downtown Perth and consider booking one of their upcoming workshops or classes.

Where to Stay: The heritage surroundings of Nevis Estate in Perth will offer even more inspiration for creative types. Perth Best Western Parkside Inn & Spa is located right at Stewart Park, and makes a great base for exploring on foot.

Day Three

The last day of your trip will lead you from Perth to Smiths Falls, the heart of the Rideau Canal and the inspiration for innumerable works of art focused on this iconic waterway, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rideau Canal.

Be Inspired:

• Stop in at the Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario and learn more about the community’s railway history and how its themes continue to pop up in local art today.
• If you have longed to try your hand at painting or drawing you won’t find many spots more inspirational than one of the three historic lockstations on the Rideau Canal.
• The Artisan Village at the Falls in Smiths Falls is a vibrant arts and crafts hub where the works of diverse artists are exhibited.
• The Hub: Music & Art is a fun spot to explore local art, musical instruments, books, and a little bit of everything else! Fall in love with music by booking a lesson here.
• Explore the culture of the 1800s at the Heritage House Museum in Smiths Falls and learn more about what life was like on the Rideau more than 100 years ago.
• Check out the featured local artist on display at Smiths Falls Town Hall, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Extend Your Stay: Are you so inspired you would love to add in another day? Your creative spirit will be fueled by a stay at Hotel Rideau, a historic accommodation right in the downtown core.