pARTicipate is a community festival of workshops and events that brings together professionals, amateurs, and the curious to participate in exploring art and nature. A collaboration between the Andrew & Laura McCain Art Gallery, Second Wind Music Centre, the Boardwalk Cafe & Wine as well as other community partners, the festival provides unique and enriching creative experiences for everyone over three days on September 5, 6 & 7, the weekend after Labour Day.
The Festival is an opportunity to get to know the geographical beauty of the Upper St. John River Valley while enjoying the unique local culture that includes nature, arts and crafts, music and culinary expertise as well as featuring the beauty of the area in workshops and activities.
The Festival is launched with the Opening of Flora, 5-7 pm, at the Andrew Laura McCain Art Gallery, 8 McCain Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB on Thursday September 4, 2025. Flora bridges art & nature through the art of nine Atlantic Artists who work in textiles, metal, ceramics, glass, plant fibre and wood. Many of whom will be teaching a workshop in their area over the pARTicipate weekend.
Register now!
Reminder: There are no refunds on cancellations within one week of the workshop.
Registration for pARTicipate 2025 is now open.
Call the Gallery during open hours to register for a workshop.
Workshops are scheduled so participants can easily get from one to another in time and enjoy a variety of creative experiences over the weekend.
There are many options for places to stay, in the area including Shamrock Suites, Amsterdam Inn and many others
Eco Printing a Silk Scarf with Renata Britez
Friday September 5, 10am-4pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, downstairs
$65, all materials included
Dive into the world of natural dyes and learn how to create patterns on cloth with local leaves, flowers, and minerals with fresh plants foraged by natural dyer Renata Britez. Students will come away with an understanding of natural dyeing with fresh raw dye, surface, design techniques, and a square cotton sampler and a silk scarf dyed with local colour!
Renata is back by request, and many who have taken this workshop once happily take it again because it is so much fun. Renata is knowledgeable, skilled and guides everyone through the process seamlessly. There will be time for a lunch break as your art works steam, so bring a lunch or treat yourself and go for lunch next door at the Boardwalk Cafe. Bring your work back to show at the Pop-Up at 4:30 Sunday September 7.
Please register before August 30, 2025
Meet Renata
Bobbin Lace with Cat Candow, an exhibiting artist in Flora *FULL
Friday, September 5, 12:30-3:30pm
Community Hall, Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB
$45, all materials included
Curious about the nearly-forgotten craft of bobbin lace making? Cat will guide you through the process of how to wind bobbins, dress the pillow, read a simple pattern, and make a small sample bookmark.
Meet Cat!
Cat has nurtured a passion for all textile arts from a young age, but over the last few years her daily art practice has zeroed in on bobbin lace making. She is studying local traditions from all over the world, learning several techniques simultaneously through online classes, creating original artwork, and is very excited to pass on her knowledge. Bobbin lace is on the verge of dying out in New Brunswick and it is Cat’s long-term goal is to reintroduce this craft to the region and build a community of lace makers.
RAC Carvers Carving Workshop with Adam McNamara, an exhibiting artist in Flora
Friday, September 5, 10:00am - 4:30pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, upstairs
This workshop is open to those who have already taken carving lessons with Max or James at the River Art Centre.
$20, please register at the Gallery.
Curious about carving? If you are interested in carving, but have never signed up, we invite you to come to the Carving Open House from 3:30-4:30pm Friday September 5, 2025.
RAC Carvers: This is a special day planned for you. Meet renowned wood carver Adam McNamara who will be at the RAC all day on Friday September 5 to work with the RAC carvers to answer questions, talk all things carving, problem solve and just enjoy doing a few things. If you plan to attend please register at the Gallery and talk to Max if you have specific questions for Adam.
Thanks to the James Buxton memorial Fund.
Carving Open House:
3:30-4:30 Drop by the River Art Centre to see what the carving studio is like, meet the other carvers and see if this is something you might enjoy. Also get the chance to say hi to Adam McNamara who is here for the day.
Meet Adam McNamara
Adam McNamara (he/him) is a Nova Scotian wood artist known for his distinctive approach to
carving, using aspects of the natural world and modern design. Adam's journey as an artist
began by joining social media sites to connect with an artistic community. This ultimately
blossomed into strong local connections within his rural community, across the province, and
abroad.
His artistic process is profoundly shaped by local ecosystems, often spotlighting the importance
of small creatures in maintaining ecological harmony—a nod to his influences from historical
anatomical illustrations and the impressionist movement. A self-taught artist committed to
sustainability, Adam responsibly sources his materials and minimizes waste by repurposing all
scraps. His work has been showcased in numerous local and international exhibitions, and he
actively contributes to charity initiatives and competitions.
Sip & Sing with Peter McLaughlin
“Something to Sing About”
Sip and Sing with Peter McLaughlin.
7:00-8:30 Friday night
at Second Wind Music Centre.
$25.00 (includes a glass of wine and/or mocktail)
The Sip and Sing is open to everyone who wishes to sing a few great songs, with other great friends-New and old. We will sing a special selection of “Feel Good” songs. All will be singable, a few harmonies for those who wish to add something extra. There will be lots of fun, some beautiful noise and the joys of singing in a “collective”. All are welcome (no previous choir or singing experience necessary)
Meet Peter McLaughlin
Peter McLaughlin has been teaching, making music, and providing opportunities to make and enjoy music in Carleton County since 1982. He had directed numerous choirs and bands over the years and worked with a large number of community and professional musicians. Currently he is the co-owner of the Second Wind Music Centre, teaching and presenting musical performances across a wide swath of genres and styles. Collective, community singing is one of his musical passions.
Rug Hooking With Caroline Simpson, an exhibiting artist in Flora
Saturday September 6, 2025, 10:00am-4:00pm
"Bun" Veysey Active Living Centre Community Hall,
40 McCain St, Florenceville-Bristol, NB E7L 3G8
$65 plus material fee - see below for details and talk to the Gallery staff when you register - thanks.
In this workshop, participants will learn to hook a 4-inch square “rug mug” featuring an original floral design (see image). They will learn the basics of rug hooking and various ways to finish the mug rug once it’s hooked. The material kit for this course includes a unique pattern drawn on a linen backing, hand-dyed yarn that Caroline has prepared, a rug hook, and 8” hoop and costs $45. If you already have a hook and hoop, the cost for the pattern and yarn is $24. Let the Gallery know which you prefer when you register. Participants should bring a pair of sharp scissors.
Meet Caroline Simpson
Caroline M. Simpson is a fibre artist who creates contemporary hand-hooked tapestries and rugs. A juried member of CraftNB, she is a certified member of the Teachers’ Branch of the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia (RHGNS). Her work has been published several times in Rug Hooking Magazine, an international publication, and has been exhibited at the IceHouse Gallery, Sunbury Shores, the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery, UNB Arts Centre, Gallery 78, Charlotte St. Arts Centre, and Mount St. Vincent University. She has written several articles on hooking techniques for RHGNS “The Loop”. Instagram: @CarolineSimpsonRugHooking Email: carolinesimpsonrughooking@gmail.com
Foraged Plant Fibre Workshop: Basket Weaving With Ralph Simpson, an exhibiting artist in Flora *FULL
Saturday September 6, 2025, 9:00am-4:30pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB E7L 3G8 downstairs
$65 plus $20 material fee
LAMAG
This is a one-day workshop, where each participant will create a basket woven with locally foraged plant fibres. Experience level is beginner but intermediate students can be challenged with advanced weaving techniques.
Part of the experience will be learning about the plant fibres in use, their names, how to collect them, process, store, and prepare them for weaving as well as important aspects of environmentally sustainable collection methods. All necessary materials for this workshop will be provided. Students are asked to bring scissors, measuring tape, spray bottle, and a tea towel. Although it is not necessary, I invite you all to bring any plant fibres or other textiles that you might like to weave into your basket to personalize it.
Please bring your own lunch, snacks, and water. Everyone will finish their basket during the workshop.
Meet Ralph Simpson
Ralph Simpson
www.plantfibreartist.com
Mosaics With Tim Issac
Saturday, September 6, 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm
"Bun" Veysey Active Living Centre, 40 McCain Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB
$45 plus $35 material fee
Step into my world by the sea and spend a few inspired hours turning stones, shells, handmade raku tiles, and your own treasures into a one-of-a-kind mosaic you’ll take home and proudly hang.
In this 3-hour hands-on workshop, I’ll guide you through a playful and intuitive process of design and discovery. No experience needed—just a willingness to explore, experiment, and have fun. Open to all ages, this class is more about curiosity than perfection, and it’s amazing what emerges when you just start placing pieces.
We’ll work with raku fired tiles as well as natural and found materials—rocks, driftwood, shells—cemented to a wood backing that’s ready to display. I’ll share simple design principles, show you how I work through creative choices in real time (“What if I try this?” “Do I like it?”), and encourage you to trust your own eye. We’ll be making mosaics in a non-traditional manner, so anything goes! The first part of the session is imagining and organizing your composition on a 10 x 10 inch square or circular board. Then at the end everything gets cemented down to take home to hang. Because we’re using plywood, the finished work is intended for indoor enjoyment.
Everything is supplied, but feel free to bring your own little treasures to include. People love how this process grounds them, opens their senses, and unlocks their creativity in a totally unexpected way. I aim to spark a sense of wonder and connection to nature through careful arrangement of raw materials—each piece meant to echo balance, beauty, and something deeper beneath the surface.
You’ll leave with something beautiful, meaningful, and uniquely you.
Meet Tim Issac
For over three decades, I’ve lived and worked as a ceramic and mixed-media artist on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick—a place that continues to shape and inspire my work. My latest series of works brings together the elements I love most: clay, raku firing, found driftwood, stones, and shells, all unified by bold lines and strong design. Living among the four elements—earth, fire, air, and water—has deeply influenced my process. These forces come together in ways that feel more powerful and aligned than ever, and I believe this is the strongest work I’ve created to date.
I’ve been a full-time artist and potter for 38 years, a juried member of the New Brunswick Craft Council since 1994, and a past member of both the Ontario and Nova Scotia craft councils. My work has been shown in galleries and fine craft shows across Canada—from the One of a Kind Show in Toronto to the Vancouver Gift Expo. I’ve led countless workshops in schools, guilds, and studios, and have mentored emerging potters in my studio along the way.
Steam Roller Printmaking Demonstration with Stephen Hutchings and the team
Saturday September 6, Time starting at 10:00am
Every year during pARTicipate local and visiting artists get together and make a large over-sized print. They can only do it thanks to the "Steamroller" which makes it possible by delivering sufficient pressure to make the print. Two of the first ones are on hanging at the Boardwalk Cafe and the others have been up at various venues over the years. You can see this year's at the Pop-up show on Sunday at 4:30 at the RAC if you can't drop by to see them pull a print at Home Hardware.
Drop by to see the action at Brennan Home Hardware in Florenceville-Bristol at 9079 Main Street in Florenceville-Bristol, NB. This year artists from around NB have carved an image for the print. The theme is Birds and guest print makers Nat Cann and Caitlin Wilson will be part for the printing crew at the Home Hardware.
Monster Fish Print from 2022
Meet lead artist Stephen Hutchings and the team
Clay Tile Painting, Tile Photo Transfer, and Clay Sculpture with Indu Varma *FULL
One Workshop: $35
Two Workshops: $45
All Three Workshops: $60
Session #1 Painting on tiles
Saturday September 6, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, upstairs
In the first workshop, Indu will be teaching brush techniques on bisqued tiles with
underglazes, perfect for both very detailed drawing and expressive brush work. With
three tiles, you will have multiple opportunities to familiarize yourself with the brush
work, and mixing underglazes. You can use these techniques to make marks to achieve
the desired results on the bisqued tile. Indu has a very light touch with her ceramic
painting and she will help you to realize your vision.
Session #2 Image Transfer on tiles
Sunday September 7, 10:30am - 12:30pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, upstairs
In this session you will learn how a simple image can be transferred on to a
ceramic tile. After applying underglazes to printed drawings, they are then
transferred onto leather hard clay. In this workshop you will start with an image,
apply the underglaze to the image on paper, transfer it to the clay and then finish
it to create a tile you like. This image transfer technique is easy to learn and is something you can take to Clay Drop-in and start to use.
Session #3 Creating with Clay
Sunday September 7, 1:30pm - 3:30pm
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, upstairs
In this workshop you will be creating sea creatures or small animals with clay. Clay is very tactile and is a great medium for sculpture. For this workshop Indu will demonstrate different ways of creating textures and making marks on clay. Experimenting with the tools on hand, this is your chance to make a small 3-dimensional form and to get the feedback to make sure it appears in space the way you want it to. Look at it from all sides, up and down and experiment with a variety of textures. Then apply the underglazes to your creation.
You will see the final results after your pieces are bisque fired, glazed and fired a second time. Indu will have some images to use as well as some samples to give you an idea of how your finished pieces might appear.
Bring your clay work upstairs to the pop-up show at 4:30pm and join us for some refreshments.
Portrait by Maurice Henri
Meet Indu!
Born in India and living in Canada since 1969, Indu is a multidisciplinary artist whose work reflects her Indo-Canadian identity. Creative from a young age, she enjoyed drawing, fabric painting, and decorating her home with flowers and coloured powders. After a 37-year teaching career, she pursued her passion for art, earning a visual arts degree from the Université de Moncton in 2016—despite initially knowing little French.
Based near the Tantramar Marshes in Sackville, NB, Indu creates paintings, ceramic sculptures, and prints, viewable in her studio or online. She has exhibited her work across Canada and internationally. Her recent solo show, Birds and their Symbolism, was shown at Moncton City Hall Gallery and is currently at the Saint John Arts Centre until August 29, 2025. In 2022, she completed a Canada Council–funded public art installation on ceramic tiles at Sackville Town Hall, titled Sackville: A Visual Snapshot.
Native Species Presentation With Andrea Flemming *Postponed until further notice!*
Sunday, September 7, 11:30am-12:15pm
8696 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol, NB E7L 3J4
By donation at the Community Hall
Interested in identifying the plants of New Brunswick (both native and introduced)? Learn about the New Brunswick Plants website being developed by the Fredericton Botanic Garden. After an introduction to the site and key characteristics for identifying plants, we'll walk along the river to put newly acquired skills in action. Participants in the afternoon printmaking workshop can use this time to collect plants (non-rare ones) for their prints.
This programme may change so check back for updates.
Meet Andrea Flemming
Andrea Flemming and Jim Goltz lead the New Brunswick Plants website being developed by the Fredericton Botanic Garden. Andrea has a Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. You may recognize Andrea from her work at ALMAG 2020-2023.
Print Making With Plants with Nat Cann & Caitlin Wilson
Printmaking with Nature
River Art Centre, 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB, downstairs
Sunday September 7, 2025, 1:00pm-4:00pm
$45
Join Moncton print makers Nat Cann and Caitlin Wilson who will guide you through the steps to make a series of beautiful prints from natural materials. Use the RAC Press and your imagination to create colourful and unique prints using beautiful Aqua inks mixed into a rainbow of colours. Nat will guide you through the process, offering assistance along the way and Caitlin will assist on the press. All your prints will be made using plant material you brought from your garden, picked up with Andrea Flemming during the Native Species of NB walk and talk if you attend or chosen from the materials provided.
Nat and Caitlin are two guest printers at the Steamroller print this year. Drop-by to meet them and see their prints either at Brennan's Home Hardware on Saturday or at the Pop-Up, Sunday September 7 from 4:30-6:00pm at the River Art Centre.
Meet Natt Cann & Caitlin Wilson
Nat Cann (he/him) is a Canadian visual artist whose projects of print hone upon the haunting of lands - ideologies and industries keeping afloat Canadian notions of colonial heritage and their subsequent degradations. Natt has exhibited across Canada, been granted numerous residencies, and his recent print projects have been intertwined with a variety of publications, exhibitions, and research grants. His work has been consistently supported by ArtsNB’s funding programs and the Canada Council for the Arts. Nat obtained his BFA from Mount Allison University (2012) and now resides in Moncton, New Brunswick, an Acadian colonial city which sits on the unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) and Mi’kmaq Peoples.
Caitlin Wilson (she/her) is an ADHD printmaker working in Moncton, New Brunswick; the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik and Mi’Kmaq Peoples. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mount Allison University and moved to Moncton to become a member of Atelier Imago printmaking studio in 2009. In 2018, Caitlin established Maplewood Studio, from which she teaches art lessons, prepares her “Artventures” art and eco-tourism day trips, and hosts events. In 2022, she and her partner Nat Cann repurposed a former church into studio space to house Maplewood Studio and work on their creative practices. Caitlin can be found in her free time with her horse Oliver, or exploring the wilderness with her sketchbook and her dog Sadie.
Bookmaking With Meg Clark: Learn Clever Folding Techiniques
Sunday, September 7, noon-3:30pm
"Bun" Veysey Active Living Centre
40 McCain Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB
$45
Jump into the art of Accordion books by learning multiple techniques and styles, and different ways to use them. Classic, Triangle, Map-fold, and Diamond, there are so many ways to fold paper. Paste, paper, and board with no sewing required for this workshop. This course is beginner-friendly and suitable for anyone with an interest in bookbinding or paper crafts.
Meet Meg Clark
Meg is a New Brunswick-raised and NSCAD-trained artist with expertise in illustration, design, bookbinding, and felting. Online, she goes by Jackraken Design, where she posts current projects, workshops, and things she likes to make for fun.
Meg is currently based in Fredericton, NB. She sells her books and teaches bookbinding workshops at the River Arts Centre and the Charlotte Street Arts Centre, and works as a graphic designer and illustrator.
Cooking at On The Boardwalk Cafe With Chef Bouwe Van der Hoek *FULL
Sunday, September 7, 2:30-8pm.
Boardwalk Cafe and Bar, 8754 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol, NB
$125
Be part of the creation and enjoyment of a special, one-of-a kind dinner at Florenceville’s famous On the Boardwalk Café & Wine restaurant with Chef Bouwe. You will be given an introductory tour of the restaurant’s kitchen and then watch as Chef Bouwe demonstrates how to de-bone a chicken in order to make the evening’s main course, Chicken Ballotine. You will then practice his de-boning technique on your own chicken, and under his guidance, participate in “plating” appetizers, salads and main courses prior to serving. The afternoon winds up when you—joined by a guest of your choice—enjoy a glass of wine followed by a full-course, sit-down meal featuring Chicken Ballotine!
Please note: there is no vegetarian option; the entire meal is gluten-free; there is a small amount of dairy in the Ballotine sauce. Please call the gallery if you are allergic to other foods.
Maximum of 10 participates with one guest each for the dinner.
Meet Chef Bouwe Van der Hoek
Chef Bouwe is a well-seasoned chef, who brought his experience working in upscale restaurant environments with him wehn he joined the Boardwalk. He is dedicated to crafting unforgettable dining experiences and delivering remarkable service. He is looking forward to our next Kitchen-to-Table event at pARTicipate and expects to have as good a time in the kitchen as he had last year. See you there!
Pop-Up Art Show!
Sunday September 7, 4:30pm to 6pm
Come join us at the River Art Centre - 8746 Main Street, Florenceville-Bristol!
This is a free event for everyone, participant or not, to hear about the workshops, see the art, chat, and enjoy a refreshment in good company.
