Art lovers “crawl” through Amherstburg

Plein air artist Carolyn Hardy (left) was one of the painters in King’s Navy Yard Park during the Amherstburg Art Crawl, while Amherstburg resident Matthew Zaidan was one of the artists stationed along Richmond Street.

The third annual Amherstburg Art Crawl was held last weekend, with events and activities geared for youth and adults.

Starting with the Art Crawl Social last Friday night at The O and ending with a Windsor Symphony Orchestra (WSO) brass quintet Sunday afternoon in King’s Navy Yard Park, the rest of the weekend was filled with tours both guided and self-guided “unleashed” tours, stops at museums like the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and the Park House Museum, and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where a group of 11 artists gathered. 

There was also a photography exhibit at the Marsh Historical Collection, plein air and on-street artists and artisans, a popular Junior Art Crawl for children and youth, and a Saturday evening performance by The Bishop Boys.

The Amherstburg Art Crawl was organized by the Art Amherstburg Society.

“Outstanding” was the word Art Amherstburg Society chair Richard Peddie used to describe the event.

“It wasn’t without a couple of hiccups,” he said, but “it exceeded expectations.”

An estimated crowd of 150 people attended the Art Crawl Social, an event that raised over $1,000 that will be put towards future art crawls. 

That will pay for additional art, advertising for next year’s event, and expenses that will be needed to present the Amherstburg Art Crawl.

The three new murals in the “Art Alley” painted by artists Jermaine Baylis, Dennis and Dylan White and Kevin Burdick were officially unveiled Saturday afternoon. 

“What was special was having the three artists here,” said Peddie.

Baylis said he wanted to honour people important in local Black history. His work features his great uncle Donald Harris, who was a champion of Black history in town during his 99 years, Amherstburg Freedom Museum co-founders Mac and Betty Simpson and Wayne Hurst, the latter having served as mayor from 1997-2000 and again from 2003-14.

Former mayor Wayne Hurst (left) shakes the hand of artist Jermaine Baylis. Hurst is one of the people in Baylis’ new mural.

Dennis White said he and Dylan were happy “to be part of the art scene in Amherstburg.” While they do a lot of local murals, “we don’t want to do it all” and said it was great to meet other artists. 

“It’s wonderful to be part of that,” said White. 

Burdick said he “wanted it to be weird” when speaking of his mural. He wanted to get inside the imagination of a five-year-old and let the idea develop. 

A Michigan resident, Burdick said he would be pleased to come back to Amherstburg.

Ron Dejonge of Everjonge Construction said his company was proud to be part of the event. He added it was important for his family as well.

Peddie said he was impressed by how the youth art contest went and those new pieces of art were also unveiled Saturday. Vice chair Trudy Dempsey was praised for how that turned out.

“That was pretty special,” he said.

Dempsey said the youth art contest was one of her favorite things to get involved in. She said she was very proud of the children who entered.

Winners of the youth art contest were recognized Saturday afternoon in “Art Alley.”

“I love children’s art,” she said. “It’s fresh and unbiased.”

The threat of inclement weather caused the move of the Bishop Boys performance from on the street near the Rotary clock to inside The O, with Peddie stating he wished it could have been held outside but they had a backup plan.

The Junior Art Crawl drew steady crowds of children and youth for dancing, painting, songs and more, and Peddie estimated at least 300 people attended.

The WSO brass quintet has been an event Peddie and wife Colleen have sponsored for 11 years and has been incorporated into the art crawl.

“No one gets paid,” he said of the committee. 

Peddie said a Saturday afternoon art crawl didn’t go well and likely won’t be back, adding he has ideas he wants to bring to the committee. The volunteer committee will be meeting again soon to go over this year’s event and start planning next year.

“We’ll be getting together to talk about what worked and what didn’t,” he said. “We’ll start on (2026) almost immediately. We’ll make it even better and it doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything.”

Peddie said artwork is important to communities and believes the art movement in Amherstburg is one of the best in the area. 

“It’s another reason to come to Amherstburg,” he said.

Artist Mona Sullivan said it was her first time on the art crawl and it was “very nice.” She said she knew Art Amherstburg Society committee member Bonnie Deslippe through her involvement in the Gibson Gallery’s Art by the River event and that’s how she got involved.

Sullivan said she would entertain coming back.

Stephen Gibb and Rob MacLellan of Amherstburg joined Dennis White in 256 Dalhousie St. as part of the “Unleashed” tour. Gibb said he was enthused with what he saw and there were good crowds coming through. 

“I’m delightfully surprised,” he said.

“I’m honoured to be here,” said MacLellan. “It’s a great event. People seem to be enjoying it.”

Plein air artist Carolyn Hardy said she enjoys that medium and “I’m happy to be here.” Located in King’s Navy Yard Park, she enjoyed painting there and would be willing to return for next year’s art crawl.

“It’s a great event,” said Hardy.

Rev. Shirley Carleton from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church said they had an art event last year but they were incorporated into the Amherstburg Art Crawl this year.

Rev. Carleton said the church’s exhibition is a “celebration of creativity, community and the unique perspectives that each artist brings to their work.” She added they were pleased to be part of the crawl.

“It’s an outreach for us to support artists and their gifts,” she said.

Artist Monty Scott was at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum and was sculpting and painting on the second floor. He called it a “nice and quaint” event. He also created a new sculpture in 90 minutes.

Artist Monte Scott sculpts at the Amherstburg Freedom Museum last Saturday afternoon. The majority of paintings that were on the wall on the upper floor of the museum, including the one pictured, were also created by Scott.

“I’m pleased with this composition,” he said. “It went well.”

Author Marie Carter was on the museum’s main floor signing copies of her new book “In the Light of Dawn,” which details Black history in the Dresden area.

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra brass quintet performed in King’s Navy Yard Park Sunday afternoon.

The Gibson Gallery had an artist “pop up” on Saturday in addition to featuring the ongoing “Faces” exhibit by Amherstburg artist Marshall White. Marshall's exhibition reception takes place Sunday, July 27th from 1-3pm.

For more information, visit www.artamherstburg.ca. More photos are on the RTT’s social media pages.

Art lovers “crawl” through Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu