Art in the Open
A celebration of art and community in Charlottetown
Art in the Open Presents: Care—a 2025 celebration of art and community, happening this month at locations throughout downtown Charlottetown.
This year’s theme, “care,” reflects a renewed focus on connection and community following a strategic reset. Artists were invited to submit projects exploring what care means and how it shapes lives and spaces. Festival-goers can expect thought-provoking installations, performances, and participatory experiences that examine the politics, poetics, and possibilities of care in everyday life.
“The festival will look very different this year than what people are used to,” shares Festival Coordinator Monica Lacey. “We have some really beautiful and engaging projects, and I’m looking forward to people getting to discover the art…at their own pace.”
In partnership with the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, a series of projections on the Confederation Centre Plaza will showcase recently acquired Inuit films. Viewing begins after dark on the Grafton Street side of the building, from August 14–16.
Ahmon Katz will present a new sculpture entitled Touch Grass on the Plaza beginning August 14.
A Wearable Art Party will be held at The Guild on August 15 from 8–11 pm, in partnership with This Town is Small. Guests are encouraged to start planning their wearable art creations now. The event will take place on both floors of The Guild, with DJs, dancing, and immersive installations transforming the Black Box Theatre and the Hilda Woolnough Gallery. Featuring music by DJ Javier and projections and installations by Phillip Mercier, Teresa Kuo, Reequal Smith, Chester Hewlett, Somnia Lucent, and more, this free event is open to all ages.
At Tivoli Cinema on August 21 at 6 pm, Experiments in Motion—a screening of experimental video curated by Millefiore Clarkes—will take place in partnership with the venue. The screening features works by Chanel Briggs, Millefiore Clarkes, Jen McGowan, Jools Annie, Mamie Bell, shalan joudry, Dawn George, Laurel Lawrence, Phillip Mercier, Hans Samuelson, and Lesley McCubbin. Reservations are recommended.
From August 28–30 at Beaconsfield Carriage House, enjoy artist workshops and projects by Carlie Howell & friends with The Not-So-Silent Feminist Film Festival (reservations are recommended); Reequal Smith; the Architects Association of PEI; Sarah Nicole Dart; Devon Ross; Madz DeRose; The Queer Choir & The Allied Chorus (reservations are recommended); Jacinte Armstrong & Kim Morgan; Jeighk Coyote; Karen Vanderborght; and community projects by Hadeel Haddad, STEAM PEI, and the PEI Potters Studio.
On August 30 at 7:15 pm, the popular March of the Crows will begin at the Confederation Centre Plaza and proceed to Victoria Park.
For more information and to reserve free seats, visit artintheopenpei.org. Follow @Art in the Open PEI on social media for updates.