A Community of Artists by the Bay

Bay Valley Artists

Encourage. Create. Inspire.

Bay Valley Artists

BayValley Artists, formerly called Marsh Street Artists was founded in September 2004 by Nancy Jackson and Mary Lou Morgan. Passionate about the local art scene, Jackson and Morgan envisioned the group as a support network for local artists and their artistic journeys. Now based near the shores of Georgian Bay, we are known as the Bay Valley Artists — a vibrant, supportive community for painters of all styles and experience levels.

From watercolour to oil, acrylic to mixed media, we gather to create, share ideas, and inspire one another. Over the years, our work has been showcased at the L.E. Shore Library in Thornbury, Meaford Hall, and other local venues.

Craigleith Community Centre

Our Studio

Where Creativity Meets History

We meet September 9 to December 16, January 6 to May 26, on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the historic Craigleith Community Centre, 132 Lakeshore Rd. E., The Blue Mountains, Ontario L9Y0N2.

Bright, welcoming space
Steps from Georgian Bay
Regular workshops led by notable guest artists
Parking on site with additional parking is on the north side of Lakeshore Road East (waterside).

Membership

Become part of Bay Valley Artists and enjoy:

Access to our shared studio space
Participation in all shows and workshops
Opportunities to showcase your work in local exhibitions

Membership Details:

Annual Fee: $30 (payable in September)
Weekly Studio Fee: $15 (cash, to cover facility costs)

What to Bring:

Your own painting supplies and easel (portable or table)
Plastic coverings for tables/floors if using a stand-up easel
Reference materials
Oil painters: no solvents, please
Coffee or tea for our 10:30 AM break (we take turns bringing snacks to share)

How to Join:

Contact Nancy Jackson at 705-443-8831 or email nancyrex@simpatico.ca to get on our member email list.

WORKSHOPS 2026

BayValley Artists hosts workshops at our studio led by a talented guest artist, offering fresh ideas, techniques, and perspectives to help you grow in your craft.

Workshops run during our regular studio time and include our standard $15 studio fee, plus an additional instructor fee ranging from $25-$75 that is divided among participantsTo register:

To Register Call 705-443-8831 or email nancyrex@simpatico.ca.

Policies.

If you are unable to attend a workshop in which you are enrolled please call Nancy eight days in advance to be removed from the list. Your place will be given to a person on the waitlist. With no notification, you are responsible for the cost of your spot in the workshop.

Cancellations due to weather.

In case of extreme weather conditions a workshop will be cancelled by email before 8 AM on the day of the workshop. Check your email for notification.

MARCH 17, 2026

Stephanie Schium Oil/Acrylic

This workshop encourages students to work in larger formats introducing the epressive and experimantal nature of abstracting realism, primarily the landscape; combining a variety of wet and dry medium, to convey a message in a single art piece.

Though technique will remain an important aspect, emphasis will be placed on experimentation, build personal style and colour sense.

APRIL 28, 2026

Bill Colley

This hands-on painting workshop focuses on strengthening your understanding of colour through intentional practice with value scales. Participants will explore how light and dark relationships shape form, depth, and mood by creating and working from carefully mixed colour value scales.

Using these studies as a foundation, each artist will develop a finished painting (11×14 or 16×20), applying value structure to create stronger contrast, cohesion, and visual impact. The emphasis is on process, observation, and building confidence with colour mixing—ideal for artists looking to deepen their control of light, shadow, and overall composition. Demo will be in Acylics, but excellent for oil painters as well.

MAY 12,2026.

Rosemary VanderBreggen

We will cover colour and composition as it applies to abstraction. I like to work fast through lessons so students just do and don’t overthink.

We will try for two outcomes.

Lesson 1: Build a quick collage including pieces with pattern replicate in a painting.

Lesson 2: Pick an object (students bring an object, something they like or are attracted to. Such as a teapot, weird lamp, sculpture. Really anything portable). We discuss how to abstract reality into abstraction. Drawings then become the next painting.

Coming Up

Upcoming Exhibitions

Nov. 29 to Dec. 29 2025
Gallery at L.E. Shore Library Thornbury
The BayValley Artists present a special exhibition composed entirely of 30×30 inch paintings, to honour the library’s 30th anniversary.

Month of February 2026
Exhibition Opportunity: Orange Show at The Gallery at L.E. Shore Library in Thornbury. More information see thebluemountainslibrary.ca

Stay tuned for details on our next exhibitions!
In the meantime, explore our Gallery to see recent works, or Join Us to become part of our growing community.