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Madawaska Valley Studio Tour

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MEET THE ARTISTS • ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Madawaska Valley Studio Tour 2024

Click here to view and download the 2024 MVST brochure or pick it up at locations around the Ottawa Valley.

Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21 Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6

Immerse Yourself in Art!

The Madawaska Valley has always inspired and attracted artists with its natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. That tradition continues this year, as the 2024 Studio Tour welcomes new studios and new guests to its roster, along with many returning favourites.

Visit artists in their studios during the two-day summer and fall weekend tours. You’ll have the opportunity to view and purchase one-of-kind art and fine craft, meet new artists and youth guests, and experience live demonstrations. Discover how wood, clay, metal, fabric, glass, leather and canvas transform in the makers’ hands.

The Madawaska Valley Studio Tour is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin nation. Take a drive through historic routes and explore the highlands and valleys during our summer and fall weekend tours. Discover what we call home!

Several of our studios are open year-round. We invite you to discover the Madawaska Valley at your leisure — spring, summer, fall or winter.

Please note that a few of our studios are only open for the fall tour. Not all studios take credit cards.

Website banner illustration by Genevieve Townsend.

Visit the Studios

Genevieve Townsend

Northern Viking Farm

Jessica Lin Photography

Madawaska Metal Works

Wildcraft Studio

Tanya Lyons Glass

Little Creek Pottery Studio

AquaRose Gems and Minerals

Canada in the Wild

Joyce Burkholder

Linda Sorensen

Bee Kind Organics

Hill Pottery

The Herd’s Throne

Fraser Knives

Solar Woodcuts

Sylvia Tennisco

Rrijoice Tie-Dyes

Spark Pottery

Kelly MacLeod

Laurie Dodge

Beaux Arbres Basketry

Opeongo Soaps

Mvst short film series.

Thank you to our partners!

More partners: Click here to see more local businesses…

Art Walks & Studio Tours

Catch artists in their own space and see the inner workings of the studio tours life. Watch as a potter or ceramicist works clay with an expert touch. See a painter use colour, form and composition to splash an image on blank canvas. Experience the process of glassmaking,  woodworking, metal sculpting, and an endless variety of artistic expression. British Columbia’s diverse culture and pristine natural beauty create the perfect conditions for a vibrant arts community. Artists all over the province open the doors of their studios to the public for specialized viewing tours that can be found on Art-BC.com.  Studio  tours are  an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local art  scene. Some artists open their studios throughout the year, or for the summer season, while others will only be available for viewing  during organized studio tours.

To begin, find an existing studio tour with a proposed itinerary or create your own cultural crawl – plan a visit to one of BC’s Creative Communities using the Guide and Art-BC.com to curate your own exploration of galleries, artist studios and more!

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Self-guided tours of Vancouver’s Arts District with events happening the first Saturday of every month.

Click the map to enlarge, and hold to download it to your device.

Visit these amazing galleries!

Check each gallery for their opening hours..

236 Pender St East, Vancouver, BC

Or Gallery is a non-profit artist-run centre that supports emerging, conceptual and experimental art practices by interspersing exhibitions of local, national, and international artists. Throughout its existence Or Gallery has produced early exhibitions, performances, offsite projects, and publications by some of the most recognized names in contemporary Canadian art: Dana Claxton, Stan Douglas, Geoffrey Farmer, Rodney Graham, Brian Jungen, Garry Neill Kennedy, Roy Kiyooka, Tim Lee, Myfanwy MacLeod, Luanne Martineau, Jeff Wall, Ian Wallace, Marianne Nicholson, and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. The gallery has also been responsible for bringing works and projects by notable international artists and curators to Vancouver, including Francis Alÿs, Martin Creed, Tacita Dean, Matthew Higgs, Barbara Kruger, Martha Rosler and Krzysztof Wodiczko.

Access Gallery

222 east georgia st., vancouver, bc.

Access Gallery is an artist-run centre with a mission to create conditions of emergence for provocative ideas and work in the visual arts. We enable critical conversations and risk-taking through new configurations of artists, audience, and community. The organization searches out opportunities to experiment through collaborations (both local and international) that encourage innovation. We aim to bring visibility and critical reception to artists and cultural practitioners when they need it most, often at moments early in their practices, and have offered important exhibition opportunities to many of Canada’s most recognized contemporary artists.

Canton Sardine

Sun wah centre, 268 keefer street, unit-071 (basement), vancouver, bc.

The term “White Cube” has become synonymous with art galleries and spaces; nevertheless, it is no longer an adequate description for today’s artist-run institutes. We hope to replace the word “space” with “sardine,” because other than exhibitions, an artist-run space also carries curatorial and publishing functions, as it can also be a site for artist residencies and bookstores among many other roles.

This institution was founded by Vancouver-based artists originally from Canton, China, hence the name “Canton-sardine.”

THIS Gallery

Sun wah centre unit 30e (lower ground level) 268 keefer st, vancouver, bc.

THIS is a brick-and-mortar gallery located in Vancouver, BC. The gallery is a tenant of BC Artscape , located in the Sun Wah Centre.

THIS also offers workshops on a variety of art-related topics facilitated by local artists and art educators. THIS Gallery is dedicated to the creation and exhibition of both commercial and non-commercial art by under-represented local and international talent.

Sun Wah Centre, 268 Keefer Street, Unit 205, Vancouver, BC

Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art is a leading public art gallery currently situated in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. It is a registered charity and the only public art gallery in Canada dedicated to contemporary Asian and Asian-diasporic perspectives since 1999.

Over the years, Centre A has worked with countless artists including Yoko Ono, Ho Tam, Vanessa Kwan, Young Hae Chang Heavy Industries, Hong Kong Exile, Samson Young, Khan Lee and Subodh Gupta. Additionally, we have collaborated with numerous organizations, locally and internationally, such as the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Or Gallery, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and Long March.

SUM Gallery

Sun wah centre, 268 keefer street, unit 425, vancouver, bc.

One of the only permanent spaces worldwide dedicated to the presentation of queer art, SUM gallery brings diverse communities together to support artistic risk-taking, incite creative collaboration and experimentation, and celebrate the rich heritage of queer artists and art. As the year-round programming arm of the Queer Arts Festival, SUM produces, presents and exhibits challenging, thought-provoking multidisciplinary art that pushes boundaries and initiates dialogue.

Monte Clark Gallery

53 dunlevy ave, vancouver, bc.

Monte Clark gained national and international prominence with its decade-long gallery presence in Toronto alongside the widely respected voice of its Vancouver gallery. The gallery’s artists, local and international, continue to be the subjects of important solo exhibitions and have appeared in landmark biennials and thematic group shows.
The exhibition program features a broad range of artists with a concise view of each artist’s approach to art making and navigates potential dialogues between them. Monte Clark has long valued producing exhibitions that bring together multifaceted works across a vast range of media, including drawing, photography, video, painting, sculpture, and installation. Monte Clark endeavours to collaborate with artists at all stages of their careers.

Yes Gallery (aka Bothkinds Project Space)

602 e hastings st, vancouver, bc.

We are an artist-run centre located Vancouver BC, with a mission to provide an inclusive framework that supports the creation and public dissemination of experimental, interdisciplinary, and non-commercially driven artistic projects. By supporting exploration and fostering collaboration, we provoke new discourse surrounding materials practices and public engagement with the arts in the DTES.

We produce public exhibitions and programming that encourages brave and critical dialog between artists, curators, educators and other regional creatives.

Fazakas Gallery

659 e hastings st, vancouver, bc.

Located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), in the heart of Vancouver’s Gallery District, Fazakas Gallery promotes a diverse selection of contemporary art with a special emphasis on works by established and up-and-coming Indigenous artists. They offer works by established Indigenous artists such as Beau Dick, Rande Cook, and Don Yeomans. We also offer works by emerging and mid-career artists, such as Jason Baerg, Couzyn van Heuvelen, Audie Murray, and Corey Bulpitt. We provide a comprehensive approach to helping clients build their portfolio, while also reviewing existing collections to foster fresh new directions.

Outsiders & Others Gallery

716 e hastings st, vancouver, bc.

Outsiders and Others is a not-for-profit arts society with a focus on bringing non-traditional artists to the forefront. This includes outsider, folk, self-taught, visionary, intuitive, and artists with disabilities.

Paneficio Gallery + Studios

800 keefer st, vancouver, bc.

Paneficio is known for its storefront displays showcasing local artists’ work all year and several shows a year in the gallery.  Check the website for artists this year. Nestled in the heart of Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood, Paneficio Studios has been home to a small community of artists for 30 years. Owned by Valerie Arntzen–visual artist and co-founder of the Eastside Culture Crawl and founder of First Saturday Open Studios–and her husband, Arnt Arntzen, who is also a visual artist.

Gallery 881

881 e hastings st, vancouver, bc.

Gallery 881 is a lens-based art hub promoting the photographic arts through exhibitions, art sales, public events, and other visual art-based programming. We offer a selection of artwork available for purchase as well as freshly curated flat file art drawers and the Book Zine Wall – a library of independently produced publications. Gallery 881 also houses PrintMaker Studio, a full-service fine art print production service with expertise in digital printmaking and finishing for artists and collectors alike.

Catriona Jeffries

950 east cordova street, vancouver, bc.

Catriona Jeffries has been in operation since 1994. It focuses on the post-conceptual art practices which have emerged from Vancouver and the critical relationships between these practices and particular international artists. It is recognized as one of the most important commercial contemporary art galleries in Vancouver, and one of the only ones that has an international reputation. The gallery shows work by well-known Vancouver artists such as Ian Wallace, Brian Jungen, and Geoffrey Farmer.

Wil Aballe Art Projects | WAAP

1129 e hastings st, vancouver, bc.

Founded in 2013, Wil Aballe Art Projects | WAAP, exhibits local and international artists, notably the innovative younger generation of artists in Vancouver. The program is comprised of a series of interdisciplinary, concept-oriented and space-based exhibitions in a variety of media including sculpture, video, sound, painting, printmaking, photography and performance. Its editions program feature contributions by the brightest Canadian artists internationally and are coveted by collectors. The gallery operates somewhat nomadically, having shifted into 4 distinctly different locations (an open-concept apartment, a spare warehouse, a basement in a historical building that dates back to gold-rush era Vancouver, and a storefront – effective September 2018) since conception and hosting several “off-site projects” as the art demands.

August Studios

1320 e pender st, vancouver, bc.

August Studios is a space for artists/designers+ to create, collaborate, and teach. Their goal is to strengthen the community and enrich lives through collective work. They host workshops and curate & host art shows.

Kasko Gallery

560 clark drive, vancouver, bc.

Kasko Gallery is located at 560 Clark Drive on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Kasko Gallery focuses on showcasing artists within our community who lack opportunities. We are an unconventional gallery that strives to show artists who are outside of the public eye or otherwise underrepresented. We have a roster of artists that we are softly representing. They are shown on our salon wall between exhibitions. The gallery also operates as a framing shop. Check the gallery website for special events and exhibitions.

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In this blog, we have listed some of Canada’s top artist communities and towns that you must explore. The art scene in Canada is pretty lively. If you are an Artist or avid art lover, there are several destinations that will leave you inspired.

From bold galleries to graffiti streets, there are several artistic communities in Canada. Blending bright hues with culture and history is a forte every Canadian creative community boasts.

Artist communities of London, Ontario

London is one of the most underrated artistic Canadian cities. This extremely tight-knit community is home to several galleries that display works of local artists. The artist community here is focused on encouraging emerging and developing artists. Their high-spirited and vibrant art scene showcases cultural diversity at its best. If you are looking for some places to explore for the love of art, our recommendations are:

• Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery
• Mcintosh Gallery
• Museum London

Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery was established in 2000 and houses Canada’s most prominent contemporary ceramic collection. Mcintosh Gallery is a public art gallery that focuses on visual arts and has been operating since 1942. Museum London is renowned for an impressive collection of regional and Canadian works

Artist communities of Alert Bay, British Columbia

This small city in British Columbia is one of the few thriving art communities. Although a small town, Alert Bay hosts art events and has galleries to encourage the growing interest of local artists. Alert Bay has won awards for First Nations work of contemporary art installations and pieces.

In support of artistic endeavor, nine local artists gathered to form Alert Bay Artists Society in 2010. While you are there, don’t forget to visit the Art Loft Gallery to check out some of the latest works of the local artists. 

Artist communities of Stratford, Ontario 

This charming small town in Ontario is a hotspot for aspiring artists. Home to Shakespeare Festival, Stratford has become a destination for creators and art enthusiasts. Five art galleries that you must visit in Stratford include:

• Shane Norrie Contemporary
• Stratford Art in the park
• Koolen Fine Arts
• Mountain Galleries East
• Gregory Connor Antiques

These five art galleries in Stratford are the best among several others. You’ll find an exciting selection of paintings, sculptures, and other creative works. As one of the best artistic communities in Canada, Stratford has transformed the economy with the Shakespeare festival that started in 1953. 

Some Art Essentials for You

Artist communities of burnaby, british columbia.

This popular art community in Canada is dedicated to fostering talents and nurturing local artists. The vibrant art scene of Burnaby boasts art galleries, public art installations, and local events. Check out some of the best permanent art installations you’ll find in all of Canada. Being an art enthusiast, we recommend you not to miss The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Art Centre, and Burnaby Village Museum.

Located in Deer Lake Park, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is a stunning multi-use facility that hosts art programs for all age groups. Burnaby Art Gallery is the only public art museum in Canada dedicated to works of art on paper. Finally, Burnaby Village Museum is an open-air museum that gives you a glimpse back in time. 

Artist Communities of Regina, Saskatchewan

The Art Gallery of Regina is a true artistic hub. Here, you’ll find local and regional artists displaying their work and inspiring the community. They also lead initiatives to help people with disabilities find their voice through Listen to Dis Community Arts Organization. Some of the popular artist galleries in Regina include:

• Slate Fine Art Gallery
• Dunlop Art Gallery
• Art Gallery of Regina
• Assiniboia Gallery

Slate Fine Art Gallery is an excellent place of representation for contemporary Canadian artists, while Dunlop is dedicated to visual artwork. The Art Gallery of Regina is an independent public art gallery that has been operating for over 48 years. As for Assiniboia Gallery, it has been in operation since 1977 with a focus on exhibiting contemporary and traditional works of art by established and emerging visual artists. 

Explore Regina

Artist Communities of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Whether you are an artist looking for inspiration or pursuing a passion, Charlottetown has plenty of opportunities for budding artists. They have dedicated festivals to celebrate the love for arts, galleries that display contemporary and traditional art pieces, and many initiatives to help artists live their dreams. The Arts and Culture Awards introduced by Charlottetown Arts Advisory Board honours artists from different arrays of arts and cultural sectors in Charlottetown for their contribution. 

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https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2022/02/government-of-canada-launches-program-to-provide-additional-support-for-cultural-workers-in-the-live-performing-arts-sector.html

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

• Artist communities of Alert Bay BC
• Artist communities of Burnaby BC
• Artist Communities of Charlottetown PEI
• Artist communities of London Ontario
• Artist Communities of Regina Saskatchewan
• Artist communities of Stratford Ontario

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Art Lover's Tour of Europe - Italy, Switzerland, France, Netherlands

Grand history tour of europe - france, germany, czech republic, scientific marvels of europe - italy, switzerland, france, england.

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Day 1: Welcome to Rome

Welcome to Rome! On arrival you are met by your Travel Director and transferred to your accommodation. (D)

Day 2: Rome Sightseeing

This morning, visit the Vatican Museum with a Local Expert. Admire the papal art collection and enter the Sistine Chapel and admire Michelangelo’s masterpiece on its ceiling. Next door, in St Peter’s Basilica, see one of Michelangelo’s early works, the Pieta, and the splendid dome, completed after his death. Afterwards, visit the Colosseum, where the gladiators prepared for battle. (B, RD)

Day 3: Tuscan Hills onto Florence

Journey through the picturesque Tuscan Hills towards Florence. On arrival, join a local art historian to see Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia Museum. (B, D)

Day 4: Renaissance Florence

This morning, see the multi-coloured marble cathedral, bell tower and baptistery, adorned by Ghiberti’s ‘Gates of Paradise’. Then join a Local Expert for a visit to the Uffizi Galleries, one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe. You'll also enjoy works by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael, among other masterpieces. (B, RD)

Day 5: Leaning Tower of Pisa & Milan

Stop first in Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower, as well as its splendid cathedral and baptistery. Continue north to the financial and fashion capital Milan. (B, D)

Day 6: Experience Milan

This morning, visit the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with a Local Expert. It is an outstanding work of architecture and an emblem within the Catholic tradition, and is perhaps even more famous for its connection to Leonardo Da Vinci’s fresco of ‘The Last Supper’, which is preserved inside its refectory (dining hall). The Church is one of Renaissance art’s most important testimonies and has therefore been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (tickets to the Last Supper are subject to availability).  Later, for a change of pace, we embark on an alternative visit to Milan to see urban graffiti, murals and street art scattered around the city. Get a glimpse of an alternative Milan, meet colourful characters, learn about modern-day Milan and be inspired by the vibrancy of city life.  (B, D)

Day 7: Milan to Basel

Travel across the border into Switzerland. En route, we stop for a cheese or chocolate tasting before heading to Basel. (B, D)

Day 8: Basel Sightseeing

Explore Basel, with a Local Expert, concluding with a visit to Foundation Beyeler In 1997, the famous collection of Ernst and Hildy Beyeler in Riehen. The collection contains around 200 pictures and sculptures, including works by Cézanne, Picasso, Rousseau, Mondrian, Klee, Ernst, Matisse and Newman.  Famous around the world, the astounding temporary exhibitions are highlights of your visit. (B, D)

Day 9: Basel to Paris

Travel through the French countryside to Paris. (B, D)

Day 10: Best of Paris

After an orientation tour, visit one of the world's best-known art collections at the Louvre Museum. A specialist art historian guides you through the galleries to see the Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, Mona Lisa and more (Louvre visit subject to availability). Continue on a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, famously protected by its roof-top gargoyles, to learn about over-arching Parisian history. This evening, embark on an illuminations journey in Paris to see iconic sights at night. (B, HD)

Day 11: Musee De L’orangerie & Giverney

This morning, visit the Musée de l'Orangerie, an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Though most famous for being the permanent home of eight Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet, the museum also contains works by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Alfred Sisley, Chaim Soutine, and Maurice Utrillo, among others. Afterwards, we head to Monet’s garden in Giverney to see the inspiration of some of his most famous works before heading back to Paris. (BB, D)

Day 12: Paris to Amsterdam

Travel through northern France and Belgium en route to Amsterdam. (BB, D)

Day 13: Amsterdam Galleries – Rijksmuseum & Vincent van Gogh Museum

Admire world-famous masterpieces in the Rijksmuseum, which has on display 8,000 objects of art and history. There is a total collection of 1 million objects, spanning the years 1200–2000AD, among which are masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer. Then onto the Vincent van Gogh Museum, which is dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries in Amsterdam. The museum is home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world.  This evening, enjoy a canal cruise dinner to bid farewell to our time in Europe. (B, FD)

Day 14: Farewell Amsterdam

Your tour concludes after breakfast with a transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

Welcome to Paris! On arrival at Charles De Gaulle airport you will be met by your Travel Director and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2: Paris From a History Perspective

Learn about the significance of the French Revolution and visit key sites such as Place de la Bastille, Les Invalides War Museum, the Conciergerie and Place de la Concorde. In the evening enjoy a walk along the Champs-Elysees, followed by a cruise along the River Seine. (BB)

Day 3: Disneyland in Paris

Spend the day at Disneyland Paris. Included in your tour is a full-day, one-park pass to either Disneyland Park or Disney Studio Park. (BB)

Day 4: Versailles & D-Day Memorial

Travel this morning to Versailles and visit the Palace of Versailles to see its opulent rooms and gardens. Experience the extraordinary Hall of Mirrors where the historic Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I.  Continue to Arromanches and visit the D-Day Memorial. It’s then onto Bayeux for our overnight stay. (BB, D)

Day 5: Battle of the Somme

Today we visit Amiens and the nearby Somme Battlefields, where some of the most intense fighting took place during World War I. More than 3 million men fought in this battle with1 million wounded or killed. We visit some of the many interesting memorials and museums dedicated to the fallen. Our overnight stay is in Amiens.  (BB, D)

Day 6: The Lost Territories - Strasbourg

We travel to Verdum where you will visit the Verdum Battlefields and War Memorial.  Our journey continues to Strasbourg, on the border of Germany, for our overnight stay. (BB)

Day 7: Strasbourg to Colmar

In the morning travel to Colmar where you will enjoy a boat tour in the canal quarter, followed by a walking tour around Petite Venise and the historic centre. From Colmar, continue to Riquewihr for a walking tour in the town.  We then visit Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg for a visit to the castle, before arriving back in Strasbourg for our overnight stay. (BB)

Day 8: Europa Park & Friedrichshafen

Spend the day at the Europa Park, one of the best theme parks in Europe. This evening we overnight in Friedrichshafen. (BB, D)

Day 9: Meersburg Castle onto Munich

Begin your morning with a walk up to Meersburg Castle. We then make our way to the well-known Neuschwanstein for a tour to the castle and a horse-carriage ride down the mountain. Then it’s onto Munich where a Local Expert will take you on a walking tour in the city centre, including key sites related to Hitler’s time in Munich and the Third Reich. Finally we visit the Nazi Documentation Centre. (BB)

Day 10: Eagle’s Nest & Obersalzburg

A short drive out of Munich, visit Hitler’s former retreat, known as the Eagle’s Nest. Afterwards, stop for lunch at Obersalzburg (own expense) and continue to the Konigsee for a boat tour on the Lake and a chance to swim in Lake Chiemsee. Return to Munich for your overnight stay. (BB)

Day 11: Dachau & Rothenburg

We start the day with a tour to the Munich Residenz Museum. It is then onto Dachau for a sobering visit to the concentration camp. Our overnight stay is in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. (BB)

Day 12: Explore Medieval Rothenburg

Rothenburg was regarded by the Nazis as the most “German” of German towns. Visit the Museum of Torture, explore the medieval city and battlements, and join a Nightwatchman tour. (BB)

Day 13: Nazi History in Nuremberg

We depart Rothenburg and continue to Nuremburg in the morning. On arrival, join a Local Expert for a tour to city centre. Walk up to the Kaiserburg Castle, visit the Nazi parade grounds and the Albert Speer Documentation Centre to bring to life the history of Hitler’s rise to power. In the afternoon, visit the Palace of Justice and Courtroom 600, the location of the Nuremburg Nazi trials. (BB)

Day 14: Onto Magical Prague

This morning travel to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation tour of the old town centre, including the town square, St Nicholas Church and Tyn Church. Afterwards visit Prague Castle and walk to Charles Bridge. (BB)

Day 15: Museum visits in Prague

Visit The Prague Communism Museum, Jewish Museum and the Kepler Museum today. (BB)

Day 16: Military History in Dresden

In the morning we travel to Dresden where we join a Local Expert for a tour of the Dresden’s Zwinger Palace, the Bundeswehr Military History Museum, the Dresden Armoury and Frauenkirche. (BB)

Day 17: Tropical Islands Water Park

Depart Dresden and spend the day at the Tropical Islands Water theme park. (BB)

Day 18: Berlin Sightseeing

Tour to Berlin starts with a visit to the ‘Story of Berlin’ Museum to provide an overview of the city’s tumultuous history. Your journey with a Local Expert includes the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie, sections of the Berlin Wall and Alexanderplatz. Visit also the Zeppelin Field and the Jewish Museum, the German Resistance Memorial Centre and the Holocaust Memorial. (BB)

Day 19: Farewell Berlin

On our final morning we visit the Wansee Haus Museum and Documentation Centre of the “Final Solution”. Later, explore the DDR Museum to learn about life under communist rule after the end of World War II. We bid farewell to Berlin and make our way to the airport for flights home. (BB)

Day 1: Welcome to Florence

Welcome to Italy! On arrival at Bologna airport, you will be met by your Travel Director and driver. We continue to our hotel in Florence where you’ll have time to settle in, before enjoying a welcome dinner at the hotel. (WD)

Day 2: Discover Florence

After a restful night’s sleep and breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Basilica di Santa Croce and Museo Galileo, home to the only surviving instruments designed and built by Galileo himself. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Florence. (BB)

Day 3: Florence at your Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure. Explore captivating Florence at your own pace or join your Travel Director for a day tour to Vallombrosa to see the Monastery where Galileo studied. (Guided tours only available in July & August). (BB)

Day 4: Bologna to Padua

After breakfast at your hotel, spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, we drive through Bologna to Padua where you’ll enjoy a local 3-course dinner alongside a guest lecturer from the Padua University. (Lecturer organised by MTG.)  (BB, HD)

Day 5: Padua to Venice

Today we visit the Il Bo University, the second oldest university in Italy, for a guided tour. The afternoon is free for you to visit the Botanical gardens and St Anthony Basilica. Later in the afternoon, we continue to our hotel, situated in Mestre Venice, where we will stay for 2 nights. (BB)

Day 6: Romantic Venice at your Leisure

After breakfast, the rest of the day is yours to explore romantic Venice at leisure. (BB)

Day 7: Onto Swiss Geneva

Les Nations Hotel After a restful night’s sleep, we cross the border to Switzerland. On arrival into Geneva enjoy a late afternoon cruise on Lake Geneva.   Afterwards we check into our hotel. (BB)

Day 8: Nuclear Science in Cern & Geneva Exploration

After breakfast we travel to CERN (subject to availability) to visit the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and see the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city of Geneva. (BB)

Day 9: Geneva to Paris

Enjoy a delightful drive through the French countryside, as we make our way to Paris. On arrival you are free to relax or explore the city of love on your own. Gather for dinner at the hotel, during which you’ll enjoy the company of a guest speaker from the Marie Curie Museum. (Lecturer organised by MTG.) (BB, D)

Day 10: Gardens of Paris

Visit the Botanical Gardens in the morning. Here you will discover the Alpine Gardens, which contain 2000 mountain plants from all over the world. Wander through the rose garden, the iris garden and the Botany School's Garden, where 4500 species are labelled and regrouped by families. (BB)

Day 11: Arts & Metier Museum in Paris

Take time to visit the Arts and Metier Museum and spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore the wonderful city of Paris. (BB)

Day 12: Science in Paris

After breakfast in the morning, visit the Marie Curie Museum. Completely re-designed, the Museum reveals the life and times of a family of unusual physicists and their huge contribution to science. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

Day 13: Paris at your Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the city of Paris. (BB)

Day 14: Eurostar to London

Bid farewell to Paris today, as we travel by Eurostar to London. On arrival we will be met and transferred to a local pub for lunch. We’ll then check into our hotel and you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy at leisure. (BB, L)

Day 15: Day Tour to Kent

Today we travel to Kent to visit the Down House, the home of Charles Darwin, before returning to our London hotel. (BB)

Day 16: Scientific Marvels of London

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the Royal Observatory, Flamsteed, Meridian Courtyard and Maritime Museum, and a cruise on the River Thames. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (BB)

Day 17: Royal Society & Faraday Museum in London

This morning we visit the Royal Society followed by a visit to the Faraday Museum at the Royal Institution.  Lunch is served at a local restaurant. (BB, L)

Day 18: Westminster & Science Museum in London

We spend the morning visiting Westminster Abbey and the afternoon exploring the Science Museum in Kensington. (BB)

Day 19: Discover Cambridge

After breakfast, we continue to the university town of Cambridge for a 2-night stop. Enjoy a private walking exploration of the town including a visit to Trinity College – the largest of the Cambridge Colleges. (BB)

Day 20: Cambridge at your Leisure

Today is yours to explore at leisure.  We meet again in the evening to celebrate the end of our tour with a farewell dinner at our hotel. (BB, D)

Day 21: Farewell from London

Our science tour has come to an end. Transfer from Cambridge to the London Heathrow Airport for your flight home. (BB)

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ArtworxTO Tours

Explore free self-guided public art walking tours today! The City of Toronto has partnered with Driftscape, local community artists and arts organizations to curate free public art tours all across the City. The tours include bonus media materials, artist interviews and features pieces from the City’s various divisions: StreetARToronto, Percent for Public Art, and the Public Art & Monuments Collection. Explore the Tours on Driftscape Mobile App today!

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Join us in support and celebration of Canadian art and culture October 24, 2024  for Art Toronto Opening Night, a benefit for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection .

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Discover Vancouver on the all-encompassing route to Vancouver’s must-see neighbourhoods and points-of-interest. With fun and safety at the forefront, this tour is ‘geared’ to giving you an intimate, up-close, and personal introduction to Vancouver.

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Connect with Victoria on a tour that combines two of her treasured delights, art and beer. Beer brewing in Victoria goes right back to her beginning, providing us a unique window to explore her past.

Embark on a genuine exploration of Victoria with Toonie Tours, where our Free Walking Tour isn’t your typical sightseeing venture—it’s an immersive invitation into the heart of the city.

Embark on a delightful exploration of the beauty and culture that Victoria has to offer with our exceptional bike tour. Your adventure begins at Sports Rent BC, where you’ll be provided with top-quality bikes to experience “The City of Gardens” like a true local.

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Come be blown away by the candid storytelling, and local tips and tricks that they have to share with you to make the most of your trip.

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Arts & Leisure is a specialty travel boutique that crafts customized itineraries for travellers who are eager to explore the world around them. From food and wine to people and places, we deliver one-of-a-kind travel experiences based on your personal interests and desires. Established in 1993, we have connections all around the world and always ensure that every destination has our seal of approval before you arrive.

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Discover our selection of partner hotels that offer the highest quality of complimentary amenities and services exclusive to Arts & Leisure guests.

Look for the A&L badge and explore the A&L Collection when deciding on your hotel stay.

Featured Experiences

Chateau le Cagnard

Intimate and unique. Built in the 13th century Château Le Cagnard is an exceptional stone dwelling, which is a part of the [...]

Le Sirenuse

Le Sirenuse is a wonderful place from which to enjoy the simple pleasures of Positano and the spectacular Amalfi Coast. Le Sirenuse opened [...]

Cayo Espanto Private Island

Your luxurious private Island Belize resort in the Caribbean. Experience the resort’s ultimate privacy and 5-star service. Discover your own private island [...]

Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, an icon of private boutique luxury and design, has re-emerged with a fresh new vibe after its complete refurbishment [...]

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

When you daydream about your next holiday, very rarely does reality live up to expectations. The Grand Hotel Tremezzo is one such [...]

The Milestone

Known for our discrete nature, we are proud to be the neighbours of the British Royal Family, located just opposite Kensington Palace, [...]

Santorini Secret Suites & Spa

Step outside and observe the volcano surrounded by the Aegean blue waters. Revive your body and soul with a signature spa treatment [...]

Maison Albar Hotels – Le Monumental Palace

Destined to be your five-star second home, Maison Albar Hotels – Le Monumental Palace is based upon the elegant French art of [...]

Mediterraneo Sorrento

The Hotel Mediterraneo offers all the magic of a place that is truly unique and allows guests to experience an enjoyable and [...]

Portrait Firenze

Portrait Firenze is an exclusive “residence” that pays homage to the city of Florence and paints a portrait of it at a [...]

Barriere Les Neiges Courcheval

Pale wood, white marble, silky fabrics and an open fire. Les Neiges is a welcoming Palace which perpetuates the warm authenticity of [...]

Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a hidden jewel found in the Yorkshire Dales, offering 47 exquisite bedrooms, four indulgent restaurants, including Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin [...]

Myconian Avaton Resort

A singular place of amazing beauty suspended between sky, earth and sea, the Myconian Avaton Resort seems to miraculously grow out of [...]

Rock House Resort

Rock House Turks and Caicos resort will provide a truly unique and distinctly private beach experience.Unlike anything yet seen in the Turks [...]

"All the parts of our trip were wonderful, the drivers we had were also excellent - on time, easy to find and really nice. Arts & Leisure did a fantastic job!"

“Just a quick note to say that the clients had an incredible time and were absolutely stunned by the fantastic hotels you selected for their Itinerary! Well done and thank you so much” - Carey

“Hi Antonella – I met up with our clients last night to review their trip to Croatia. They could not have raved enough about everything on the trip. They loved the hotels, tours, guides and really everything. Thanks so much for putting together such a wonderful trip.” - Dave

“Thank you again for all the arrangements, you did an amazing job and I am recommending you to all of my family and friends” - Elaine

“We just want to tell you that we can’t thank you enough for such an amazing vacation. Well planned and organized. We really enjoyed Portugal and it exceeded our expectations.” - Amira

“We want to thank you and Amelia very very much for a most wonderful trip. Everything was perfect from beginning to end.” - Diane

“We had an incredible trip!! Thanks to you and Amelia for all the work and incredible detail in our itinerary! It was perfect! The mix of train, private tours, classes and the hotels! Loved everything so thank you!” - Ivana

“A big thanks for helping organize our wonderful trip to France. We had a spectacular time and all the guides, drivers and accommodations were fabulous.We really appreciate all your help.” - Katie

“My family and I recently returned from our European vacation. Our travel agent assured us that the supplier that they work with is one of the best in North America. We can truly say that this was the best trip we’ve ever had!” - Michael

“Just a quick note from Sicily to say thank you for organizing our wonderful trip to the Amalfi coast. Everything was perfect, so well thought out and organized. It all went so smoothly with the utmost professionalism, making it so stress free and easy to show up, wander and enjoy.” - Denise

“I cannot thank you enough for putting together this trip of a lifetime for my sons and I. It was nothing short of magnificent. The stay at Portobay Libertade was perfect, centrally located, near all the shops, restaurants, cafes. We were able to walk everywhere. The hotel itself was beautiful. The staff was so accommodating and personable. The tours that you had put together for us of Lisbon, Sintra and Caiscas were so well done. It allowed us to immerse ourselves in the culture and learn so much of the history of Portugal.” - Carm

"I want to thank you for another well thought out and organized trip. It went off without a hitch. The hotels were excellent and our last two nights in Athens our room faced the Parthenon and Acropolis what an unbelievable view!!"

"Portugal was amazing. The private tours with guides were all amazing. It was such an experience to be alone with the guides and on our own schedule each day... Thanks so much + cant wait for the next trip booking with you" - Gianna

“Thank you so much for such an amazing vacation for my very happy clients. They absolutely loved everything!!!! I appreciate a real luxury and attention to details for this very special couple, they truly deserved such luxurious treatment... Many thanks to your team here and in Italy 🙏🏼” - Nelly

“Our trip was truly wonderful! All our guests had an absolutely fabulous time. The villa was beyond expectations. So much room, so much available!”

“The trip you put together was absolutely amazing. The families and kids are all still talking about it and are ready to go back to Europe! The tour guides were always on time and top notch. The hotel in Paris was great and the hotel in Amboise was unbelievable. I would highly recommend! Every aspect of the trip was unforgettable. Thank you for putting all the details together. We have been asked by many people about who helped plan the trip. We will definitely be using you again!!”

“Just wanted to thank you again for your work putting our trip together. We just got home and had an outstanding time. Everything went as planned and both hotels, driver service and the tour in Venice was just great.“ - Irv

“I want to thank you and your contact, Antonella, from Arts & Leisure for everything you did for us to ensure that we had a wonderful experience in France. It was absolutely perfect!” - Hope

"Thank you for organizing our wonderful trip to the Amalfi coast. Everything was perfect, so well thought out and organized. It all went so smoothly with the utmost professionalism, making it so stress free and easy for Brian and me just to show up, wander and enjoy.” - Denise

“The trip was incredible, you put together quite the itinerary of places to stay and having transport to and from the ferries and hotels worked seamlessly. Thank you again for all your help and your quick responses to our numerous questions.”

They loved all the accommodations and said all the tours/drivers/transfers did an incredible job. No hiccups anywhere. Thank you so much for helping me create a wonderful trip for them in Italy!” - Kaley

Our Promise

At Arts & Leisure, we craft personalized travel itineraries and ensure every aspect of your experience aligns with your personal interests and desires.

At the end of the day, we want our travellers to feel like they are in good hands with the peace of mind to enjoy every minute from start to finish.

Above all, we promise specialized and one-of-a-kind travel experiences unparalleled to any other provider in the industry – always marked by our seal of approval.

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Arts Culture Tours

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Splendours of Japan

9 Locations

13 Day Japan Tour from Tokyo to Osaka via Hiroshima

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East Coast USA and Canada

11 Locations

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14 Day USA and Canada Tour starting and ending in New York

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Bohemian Highlights 2024

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14 Day European Tour of Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria and Czech Republic

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Best of Turkey

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14 Day Turkey Tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

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13 Day France and Monaco Sightseeing Tour from Paris

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Arts & culture tours inspiration

Cultural wonders, ancient traditions & local artisans

Delve into the unique cultures of the world and get a deeper insight with your Local Specialists on our art and cultural experiences. Meet with local artisans, learn how they keep their traditions alive, and witness moving cultural performances.

Stays with incredible stories

Our cultural vacations continue on well into the night, with our unique Stays with Stories. Step back in time with a stay in the lavish 17th-century Château de Beauvois in France, sleep in a room hewn out of the surrounding ancient rock in Turkey, experience genuine Japanese hospitality at a traditional ryokan in a mountain hot springs village, or stay in an old Franciscan convent in Santa Maria degli Angeli in Italy.

Witness powerful cultural rituals

Immerse yourself in ceremonies and traditions around the world with our cultural experiences. Witness the soulful ritual of Aarti on the River Ganges in India, take part in a private blessing ceremony at Wat Damnak in Cambodia, meet a Shaman who will perform an ancient Pago a la Tierra ceremony to welcome you to Peru, or watch the Grand Entrance Dance Performance at a Black Hills Pow Wow in the USA.

Connect with locals

Our cultural trips connect you with locals who share their unique customs. Witness the revival of Khmer crafts by young artisans in Siem Reap, see the delicate craft of Venetian glassblowing on Giudecca Island, learn the art of haggling at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, discover the spiritual connections the local Anangu caretakers have with the land at Uluru, or learn how local artisans make Japanese washi paper in Gokayama. 

The best local culture unlocked for you

Enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences and uncover local secrets when our friends across the country open their doors to you. Here’s just a sample of the rich experiences you can expect.

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Looking for the best cities in the world for art? You can’t miss the art mecca of Paris, with over 1,000 galleries including The Louvre. You also have to visit New York for its MoMa and Guggenheim, London for its Tate Modern and National Gallery, Florence for Renaissance art, Barcelona for the works of Gaudi, Amsterdam for its iconic Dutch artists, and Singapore for its futuristic exhibitions.

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All Black Everything: A Black Traveler's Guide to Toronto, Canada

On my trips, I immersed myself in Toronto’s vibrant Caribbean and African scene, hanging out in restaurants, clubs, and art hubs that reflected these cultures. And as my career as a professional travel writer took shape over the years, I’ve always jumped at the chance to showcase the city’s lasting appeal to Black travelers and locals alike.

Of course, this guide is far from comprehensive, but the businesses, historical sites, and, most importantly, the people showcased below should give you a pretty good peek into Toronto’s endlessly rich Black history and culture. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your next trip up to Ontario’s storied capital city.

Getting to know Black Toronto

A change in Canadian immigration policies in the 1960s also resulted in a large migration of people from the Caribbean and Africa. Today, the city boasts the largest Black population in Canada with 265,005 Black residents, according to the 2021 census . Toronto’s long history of Black emigration has helped to create what today is a cultural mecca of restaurants, galleries, music venues, and museums highlighting Black heritage and history and owned by Black residents.

Black museums, art and culture in Toronto

First baptist church of toronto.

Founded in 1826 by 12 Black residents who escaped slavery, the First Baptist Church of Toronto is the oldest Black institution in the city. I especially love The church’s Heritage Room, which documents Black history with historical accounts, artifacts, and photos; I think this little alcove contains more detailed Black histories than many of the larger institutions. Today, the church continues to serve as a community cornerstone and there’s a warm reception for any visitor. If you visit during the summer, you might have a chance to stop by the annual picnic, which features family games and food.

Reggae Lane

The historic Little Jamaica neighborhood along Eglinton Avenue West is a perfect place to absorb Toronto’s influential reggae history. A massive 1,200-foot mural by artist Adrian Hayles in a parking lot at 1584 Eglinton West showcases famous reggae musicians who lived, recorded, and performed in the area, including: Jackie Mitoo, Ernie Smith, Johnny Osbourne, and Leroy Sibbles, lead singer of the Heptones. The first time I saw this mural, I was struck by its energy; there’s such legacy connected to this giant work of art it's almost like being in the presence of these icons.

Band Gallery and Cultural Centre

One of my favorite places for innovative art exhibits and community happenings, Black Artists’ Networks in Dialogue (BAND), focuses on documenting and showcasing Black artistic and cultural contributions with exhibits, pop-up sales, performing arts, and speaker series. Past highlights have included the art exhibit Hair Holds Memories , which featured a collection of mixed media pieces by Nigerian artist Ehiko Odeh that showcased familiar products used for Black hair care against a backdrop of West African textiles.

A summer Garden Concert highlighted the soulful music of Toronto musician Kyla Charter, who mesmerized the audience with velvety vocals while wearing a huge flower crown, and the Black Women in Leadership: Living Library event presented community leaders' success stories combined with small group discussions.

Caribana Toronto

I love how the event takes over the city and makes Toronto feel a little like a big, bustling island.

CaribbeanTales International Film Festival

Black-owned businesses you can't miss in toronto, treajah isle records.

Dive into this cultural hub of Jamaican heritage with CDs, records, books, clothing and accessories. This is the place to score hard-to-find rock steady, ska, and roots reggae music, as well as medicinal herbs, natural soaps, essential oils, and incense. The shop also hosts live DJ sets and spoken word events. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is your average music store; I often end up browsing for hours and talking to other music lovers. I consider it more like a music cafe.

A Different Booklist

The first time I entered the bookstore was for an impromptu poetry reading that turned into a finger-snapping, hours-long hangout that I’ll never forget. For over 20 years, this bookstore has served as a Black cultural center with book launches, community discussions, and a wide selection of books from across the African and Caribbean diaspora. The store’s website also includes interviews with popular Black authors. Husband and wife owners Miguel San Vincente and Itah Sadu continue to expand beyond books; they launched the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, a non-profit that hosts art exhibits, children's programs, book launches and author discussions.

Where to eat and drink in Toronto

An iconic Little Jamaica eatery that grills jerk meats on the sidewalk until the early morning hours, Rap’s is the place for late-night Jamaican specialties like curry goat, oxtail, and red snapper. For me, a late night of partying or live music is best topped off with a platter of snapper just off the Rap’s grill. There’s always a crowd waiting on the sidewalk after 11 pm so it’s like another mini party.

Afrobeat Kitchen

Savor the flavors of Nigeria at this popular outpost that dishes up a diasporic fusion of

offerings like kelewele tostones, a take on African spicy plantains smashed in the Puerto Rican tostones style, or miso maffe stew, which layers the classic peanut stew over jackfruit, chickpeas, and eggplant mixed with miso. Chef and owner Victor Ugeweke moved to Toronto from Lagos, Nigeria, where he helped run his mother’s restaurants. He started Afrobeat as a pop-up and is making waves with vegan versions of traditional Nigerian meals, like beef egusi, which swaps out the meat for mushrooms.

Haitian street food gets a fun and elevated treatment at this welcoming restaurant . The menu highlights fritay, or fried foods, like shrimp creole, goat, and pork, accompanied by fried dumplings, plantains, and pikliz (spicy coleslaw). The dining spot also supports an ongoing donation supply drive to benefit Haiti. Splashed with vibrant primary colors and art, Boukan feels like a celebration spot. The food is tasty but the experience is even more fun on nights when they feature zouk, afrobeat, and kizomba rhythms.

Black-owned hotels in Toronto

A chic Black-owned boutique hostel in the heart of artsy Dundas Street West, Ode was created when Erica Herbert and her four children opted to turn the building they had owned for years into a modern accommodation with affordable prices. The hotel is ideal for guests who value style and nonconformity. Each room boasts art by local artists and singular decor. The rooftop is adorned with lively murals and wide open spacing. Amenities like room service and front desk service aren’t offered here, so the focus is on the budget-friendly stay and bespoke, hip design.

Did you know?

Rosalind Cummings-Yeates specializes in travel through a cultural lens. Based in Chicago, she holds bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism. Her credits include Smithsonian Magazine, Time Magazine, BBC, Afar, and Lonely Planet. When not devouring passionfruit in all forms, Rosalind is climbing volcanoes and ignoring the protests of her knees. Follow her on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

Van Gogh art exhibition that 'transports' visitors inside paintings heads to St. John's

Tickets for the exhibition go on sale may 3.

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An immersive exhibit coming to St. John's aims to give people a new perspective on the art of Vincent van Gogh.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has been touring around the world and will be making a stop in Newfoundland from July 19 to Sept. 6 at the St. John's Convention Centre.

Unlike a traditional art exhibition with paintings hanging on the wall, the paintings in Beyond Van Gogh use the entire wall and the floor as a canvas.

Visitors see the art in a "dreamlike way," as though they are transported inside the Dutch artist's world, said Fanny Curtat, a Montreal art historian.

• Audio On The Go talks Beyond Van Gogh
• Video Stepping into the world of Vincent Van Gogh: immersive art exhibit opens in Halifax

Curtat, who worked on the production of the exhibit, says the use of projection technology can be a bridge for people new to the art world.  

"A lot of people are intimidated by museums and might feel like they don't have anything to relate with this 19th century artist," she says.

"It's about sort of breaking that wall and showing that it is truly for everyone."

There's much to learn about the artist beyond a cut ear and a few well-known pieces, she adds.

In the first room of the exhibit, visitors are introduced to the letters van Gogh sent to his brother, Theo, whom he loved dearly and confided in.

"There's no better way of accessing his mind and his work and seeing just how much more there is to this man than just his pain," Curtat said.

"You have access to his heart, his soul … you have access to such an incredible mind that's filled with, I would say childlike wonder, but also philosophical depth."

Van Gogh painted over 850 pieces in 10 years. The exhibition takes the viewers from one room to the next as a journey to showcase the changing landscapes and colours of van Gogh's work.

With the paintings stretched on the walls and floor, Curtat says her favourite moment is seeing how the art makes an impression on children who run around "inside" a painting like Starry Night .

"There's something really exceptional about seeing people's reaction to a show like this. I've seen people cry, I've seen people laugh, I've seen adults and kids twirl around and dance, and so everybody brings in their own story to this experience."

What would van Gogh think?

During van Gogh's time, there was an article written calling him a "genius of light and [an] alchemist of colours," Curtat said.

But hearing those words, van Gogh told his brother, he still felt doubt in himself.

"There was something in him that had a hard time accepting the fame that was coming his way, and he died too early for him to know the actual fame," Curtat says.

"We can only assume that part of him would be completely overwhelmed by the world-famous status that he has right now. But a part of him, I would hope, would be happy to see that he was right in fighting for his vision."

Download our  free CBC News app  to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.  Click here to visit our landing page .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arlette Lazarenko is a journalist working in St. John's. She is a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic journalism program. Story tips welcomed by email: [email protected]

With files from On The Go

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May 7, 2024

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Judge: Alabama groups can sue over threat of prosecution for helping with abortion travel

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday said abortion rights advocates can proceed with lawsuits against Alabama’s attorney general over threats to prosecute people who help women travel to another state to terminate pregnancies.

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U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson denied Attorney General Steve Marshall’s request to dismiss the case. The groups said Marshall has suggested anti-conspiracy laws could be used to prosecute those who help Alabama women obtain an abortion in another state. The two lawsuits seek a legal ruling clarifying that the state can’t prosecute people for providing such assistance.

Alabama bans abortion at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape and incest.

While Thompson did not issue a final ruling, he said the organizations “correctly contend” that the attorney general “cannot constitutionally prosecute people for acts taken within the State meant to facilitate lawful out of state conduct, including obtaining an abortion.”

“Alabama can no more restrict people from going to, say, California to engage in what is lawful there than California can restrict people from coming to Alabama to do what is lawful here. In this sense, the case is not an especially difficult call,” Thompson wrote.

Marshall has not prosecuted anyone for providing abortion assistance, but he has made statements suggesting his office would “look at” groups that provide help. Marshall’s office had asked Thompson to dismiss the lawsuit.

One lawsuit was filed by the Yellowhammer Fund. That group stopped providing financial assistance to low income persons over concerns about possible prosecution. The other suit was filed by an obstetrician and two former abortion clinics that continue to provide contraception and other health services.

Plaintiffs said Marshall’s comments have had a chilling effect on their work and made it difficult for doctors and others to know if they can make appointments and referrals for abortions out of state.

Thompson scheduled a May 15 status conference to discuss the next steps. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and handed authority on abortion law to the states, the Deep South quickly became an area of limited abortion access.

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After 3 Tourists Go Missing, Bodies Are Found in Baja California

Mexican authorities recovered the three bodies as a search went on for two Australian tourists and a U.S. citizen who disappeared while on vacation.

By Emiliano Rodríguez Mega

Reporting from Mexico City

A dayslong search for three missing tourists who disappeared near a surfing town close to the U.S.-Mexico border ended tragically on Friday as the authorities said that they had located three bodies in a water hole.

Two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, and their friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, a U.S. citizen, had been on vacation surfing and camping along the coast near the Mexican city of Ensenada when they disappeared on Saturday.

Debra Robinson, the mother of the brothers, said in a social media post on Wednesday that they had booked an Airbnb in another coastal town north of Ensenada but never showed up there.

“Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons. They have not contacted us,” she pleaded to the more than 120,000 members of a community Facebook page created for people interested in touring Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

She added that Callum was a Type 1 diabetic.

The state’s attorney general, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, said in a news conference on Thursday that prosecutors were investigating three people related to the case but that crucial time had passed since the disappearance of the three men.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the last few days that they were reported missing,” Ms. Andrade Ramírez told reporters. “So, that meant that important hours or time was lost.”

In an interview, Ms. Andrade Ramírez said that after close examination of a 50-foot-deep water hole in La Bocana beach, near the town of Santo Tomás, Mexican authorities found three male bodies early on Friday. The already decomposed remains, she added, “meet the characteristics to assume with a high degree of probability” that they are the Robinson siblings and Mr. Rhoad.

Researchers will perform DNA tests to confirm the findings.

Prosecutors also believe that the three people tied to the deaths tried to seize the victims’ vehicle. When they resisted, Ms. Andrade Ramírez said, one man took out a gun, opened fire and then tried to dispose of their bodies. That person has been arrested.

“This aggression seems to have occurred in an unforeseen, circumstantial manner,” she added. “We pledge that this crime will not go unpunished.”

Human remains of a fourth male body, which has not yet been identified and is not connected to this case, was also found at the same site.

In 2022, 192 American citizens died in Mexico, State Department figures show , but most of those deaths were accidents or suicides. Only 46 were ruled as homicides.

The big waves in Baja California have long attracted throngs of surfers and travelers, many of whom have dealt with rising crime rates for nearly two decades.

But record levels of violence have hit the state in recent years. Government data shows that Baja California currently holds first place in vehicle theft and second place in homicides, most of which are related to drug dealing or organized crime, Mexico’s secretary of defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, said this year.

An official familiar with the investigation, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said a white pickup truck that the missing tourists had been traveling in was found charred near La Bocana beach. Other belongings and pieces of evidence were also being analyzed, the official added.

The swift effort to find the tourists was a rare exception in a country where nearly 100,000 people remain missing, according to the latest count provided by Mexican officials in March.

A majority of cases remain unsolved. Family members and volunteers are left on their own to follow up on leads, but the presence of cartels and a lack of support from the authorities make searching a dangerous mission .

The recent case in Ensenada recalled an episode in 2015 in which two Australian surfers, Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas, were killed as they drove across Sinaloa, another state in northern Mexico. Local authorities arrested three people who said they shot the two friends after they resisted a robbery. Their bodies were found inside their van, which had been doused in gasoline and set on fire.

Emiliano Rodríguez Mega is a reporter and researcher for The Times based in Mexico City, covering Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. More about Emiliano Rodríguez Mega

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Billie Eilish announces ‘Hit Me Hard and Soft’ arena world tour

FILE - Billie Eilish arrives at the 29th Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Eilish will embark on a worldwide arena tour this fall. It kicks off in Quebec City in Canada on Sept. 29 and concluding in Dublin on July 27, 2025.(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Billie Eilish performs during the the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

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NEW YORK (AP) — Billie Eilish is hitting the road.

The pop performer will embark on a worldwide arena tour this fall, kicking off in Quebec City in Canada on Sept. 29 and concluding in Dublin on July 27, 2025. She’ll hit many major cities in North America in 2024 before heading to Australia and then Europe.

Presale begins Tuesday, and any remaining tickets will become available Friday at billieeilish.com . A percentage of proceeds will benefit the environmental nonprofit REVERB.

Earlier this month, Eilish announced her highly anticipated third studio album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” will be released May 17.

The news arrived via Instagram, where Eilish shared the album artwork showing the pop singer floating in a body of water after being ejected from a door. In the caption, she wrote that she will not drop singles in advance of the release.

“I wanna give it to you all at once,” she captioned the image. “I truly could not be more proud of this album.”

Eilish worked with her brother and longtime collaborator Finneas on “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” The pair recently took home their second Oscar for their big “Barbie” ballad “What Was I Made For?” In doing so, Eilish, 22, became the youngest person by far to have won two career Oscars.

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Billie Eilish fans lash out at ‘ridiculous’ ticket prices for 2025 tour

Fans were dismayed with many branding the sum ‘ridiculous’ in the midst of a cost of living crisis, article bookmarked.

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Billie Eilish fans have called out the US pop star after it emerged that standing tickets to her forthcoming arena shows were being sold for £145 each.

Pre-sale tickets to the singer’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour became available between 30 April to 1 May, including early access for American Express card members, while general sale takes place on Friday 3 May.

The 22-year-old will be performing a string of dates in the UK and Ireland next year, including five nights at the O2 Arena in London, two nights in Glasgow, four in Manchester and two in Dublin.

In press material announcing the tour, it was revealed that Eilish’s team had chosen to use Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange, meaning fans have the option to resell tickets to other fans in the US or Canada if they are no longer able to attend themselves.

“The tour wants to give fans, not scalpers, the best chance to buy tickets at face value,” the statement said.

As tickets went on sale, however, many fans were dismayed to learn how much they were priced at, with many branding the sum “ridiculous” in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

“I honestly wanted more Billie tickets but £145 for standing is so ridiculous I can’t even process it,” one fan wrote on X/Twitter.

“£145 for Billie Eilish tickets does she not know there’s a cost of living [crisis] happening in the UK,” fan Zoe said.

Another remarked: “Me coming onto Ticketmaster seeing Billie Eilish prices then coming straight back out again. £145 for standing is this delusion?” In the replies, the fan compared the price to the first time she saw Eilish live, when she paid £20 for a ticket.

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Not everyone had sympathy for fans though, as some said it was their choice to pay that much for a ticket.

X/Twitter user Billy asked: “At what point do people realise they’re being conned and priced out. If you’re buying tickets at that price then honestly you’re part of the problem now.”

Matt, the writer behind the Scientists of Sound music blog, agreed: “People paying nearly £145 for Billie Eilish tickets are part of the problem. When these venues sell out at these prices artists and promoters couldn’t care less as they’re getting away with it. Fans are being completely priced out of these events and it’s only getting worse.”

One fan, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Independent that buying tickets to concerts often felt like an “online war”, with fans feeling pressured into paying extortionate sums or else risk missing out.

“Artists and ticketing companies know that their fans will pay any amount of money to see their favourite artists,” he said, “and it’s only getting worse because fandoms are so strong. At what point does it go too far? This feels pretty close.”

At what point does it go too far? This feels pretty close

Confirming he had paid £146 for a standing ticket at the newly built Co-op Live arena in Manchester, the fan admitted he felt exploited.

“I go to quite a few gigs a year, [and] whenever it comes to the bigger shows you’re looking at a minimum of £70 or £80,” he said. “I paid £110 for standing to see Taylor Swift at Wembley, which actually feels like a bit of a bargain now.”

The fan said that artist exploitation went beyond concert tickets: “I’ve got into collecting vinyl recently and didn’t realise how many variants there are per album with exclusive songs or photos or whatever it might be. These artists know that their fans want every version because they love them so much. It just feels unfair.”

Jason Burt bought tickets for his 14-year-old daughter and said they were around the same price they paid for Eilish’s last tour, “but slightly less than I did for [Bruce] Springsteen this time last year”.

“The price is, in my opinion, excessive, despite the fact she will be thrilled by the concert,” he said. “[My daughter] is aware of the cost and appreciates how lucky she is to be able to go.”

Mr Burt said there was “definitely an element of exploitation” involved with artists of Eilish’s size, but questioned how much involvement the artists themselves had in deciding ticket prices.

He also pointed out the other ways in which artists are able to generate revenue from their fans: “If you have 30+ formats of an album, for example, there is an implicit understanding that some fans will buy all of them, which in turns pushes its chart position exponentially,” he said.

“Similarly, merch at gigs. Some will want all of it. As a parent, I wouldn’t buy it all and i’m lucky my daughter has no interest in that level of ‘completism’, but I’m sure it puts pressure on parents at a time we can least afford it.”

A representative for Eilish declined to comment when contacted by The Independent.

Eilish recently hit out at major artists making “40 different vinyl packages that have a different unique thing ust to get you to keep buying more”, branding the practice “wasteful”.

She was later forced to clarify that she was not calling out fellow pop star Taylor Swift, who had recently announced a number of different versions of her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.

“I wasn’t singling anyone out, these are industry-wide systemic issues. and when it comes to variants, so many artists release them, including ME! Which I clearly state in the article,” Eilish wrote on Instagram.

“The climate crisis is now and it’s about all of us being part of the problem and trying to do better sheesh.”

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