Red Ribbon Art Exhibition returns early to highlight local talent with ‘Fall into Art’

The annual Red Ribbon Art Exhibition started 18 years ago and features dozens of local artists at each edition.

This year’s will be no different when it is held on September 21 at the Leisureplex banquet hall, showcasing the talents of about 50 artists.

Some of those artists are students from Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, Lakeshore Catholic High School, and Niagara Christian Collegiate.

Running from 6 to 10 p.m., the 2024 artistic celebration is themed ‘Fall into Art,’ marking the change of season, as well as the event being held in late September instead of its usual November date.

One reason for this adjustment is that the show is often enjoyed by U.S. seasonal residents, but many head back south by the time November arrives.

“A lot of them leave in October, so we thought we’d move it up,” said Donna MacLeod, chair of the Fort Erie Arts Council, the registered non-profit organization that started the event nearly two decades ago.

“The community loves it and we get a great response,” said MacLeod, noting the exhibition was interrupted for a year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

There will be food, live music, raffles, and a silent auction, along with art on display and for sale.

MacLeod said it will feature well-known, veteran artists who have taken part for many years, but also some who are new to town.

This “keeps things fresh,” said MacLeod, who has been involved with the arts council since 2009.

The arts group was founded in 2005 and depends on events such as this to keep its programming running.

There will also be “passports” handed out after guests pay the $15 admission fee. These are stamped after they stop and chat with artists, and then entered into a raffle for a prize, said MacLeod.

Longtime member Hazel Reinhart, who also teaches art classes through the council, said the exhibition is always exciting and that it features the wide array of talent that exists locally.

“It’s a very vibrant community, and it’s growing,” she said.

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