2025 Theme of the Year

Pelham Art Festival proposes a Theme Challenge to its artists and artisans every year.

When an artist has been juried into this year's Onsite Festival, if they wish, they may participate by creating and entering one artwork that represents their answer to this year’s theme challenge. These artworks will be featured in the booths of participating artists at the Pelham Art Festival in the Meridian Community Centre and visitors will be treated to artwork inspired by and specially created for this year's theme challenge.

A qualified judge will select an artwork for the Best of Theme Award after visiting the booths of these artists. The award will be presented to the creator of the selected artwork on Mother's Day weekend at the Festival.

What is the theme for 2025?

This year, the theme is: Joy                                                                                   

In the past few years one of the most often used words in the art world has been joy.

While such a lovely and simple word is perhaps more commonly associated with holding newborn babies than expensive pieces or art, it isn’t surprising because one of the purposes of art is to bring joy.

But what is joy? Is it calm, muted and serene, or can it be excited, loud and full of movement?

Is it an abstract concept or a realistic panorama? A cartoon, a wood carving or a digital masterpiece? Is joy political, spiritual, financial or something else completely?

Show us….what is joy?
 

Theme Challenge participants, please note:

 

  • Email [email protected] with the artwork title to obtain a tag to identify your art entry.
    The tag will be enclosed in your Artist Information package when you arrive at the Accipiter Arena in the Fonthill Meridian Community Centre.
     
  • Only one artwork should be labelled with a special tag if you participate in the Theme Challenge. This helps the judge tasked with choosing a ‘Best of Theme’ artwork to readily identify the art piece to be considered for this award in each participant’s booth.
     
  • Your Theme Challenge artwork must be accompanied by an artist statement explaining how your creation answers the question ‘What is Joy?’ It is to be displayed with the artwork itself in your booth.
     
  • Last minute participants in the Theme Challenge: please alert a PAF Committee member upon your arrival at the Onsite Festival to provide you with a special tag and put you on the list for a visit from a judge.

 

We look forward to viewing your artwork that best expresses the concept of JOY!


Online Festival Artists:  Please note that the Theme Challenge will not extend to the Online Festival this year.