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  • How to Curate a County Art Collection 🎨
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How to Curate a County Art Collection 🎨

It’s been said that art is everywhere in The County. There’s no shortage of public galleries and studios in which to view and purchase a wide variety art. But how do you begin a collection? We asked the experts at Oeno Gallery, Sybil Frank Gallery and Hatch Gallery for their insight.

Here’s what they had to say.

“Under the Eaves” coloured pencil, detail. Allison Fagan ©2009 | Collection of Susan Hierli

Please note that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are currently advisories and/or restrictions on travel to Prince Edward County. Please see our COVID-19 Essential Info page for the latest updates. Luckily, you can enjoy and even acquire a slice of Prince Edward County by visiting the galleries, exhibitions and events online through the links provided.

Collect what you love

You will see it in your home every day. What type of art makes your heart sing? Do you favour Corot or Picasso? Are you excited by realism or abstraction? For Craig Alexander, owner of The Sybil Frank Gallery in Wellington, the main thing to think about when purchasing a piece of art is longevity. Will you still love it in a year or two?  You don’t want to purchase a piece of art that you’ll tire of. He adds: “Art should evoke an emotion of some sort. There should be a connection with the piece, something that makes you smile, or evokes wonderful memories.”

Art should capture your eye – and your heart – with the potential to keep drawing you in for a long time, says Sybil Frank Gallery owner Craig Alexander. | Photo Courtesy: @sybilfrankgallery

Consult with experts

Once you have decided on a style you’d love to live with, don’t be afraid to talk to art dealers and gallery owners, who can help you find works to suit you and your budget. “A good gallerist will be able to help you develop your eye and your preferences,” says David Hatch of Hatch Gallery in Bloomfield. “Ask a pile of questions; a good dealer will happily take the time to answer.” Carlyn Moulton of Oeno Gallery in Bloomfield agrees. “Take advantage of the knowledge that private dealers have – typically we share our expertise with collectors freely and can help to find the desired works.”

Work by Kimberly Danielson, shown recently at Bloomfield's HatchGallery.
Work by Kimberly Danielson, shown recently at Bloomfield’s Hatch Gallery. | Photo Courtesy: @HatchGallery346

Deciding on a budget

Is your art simply a beautiful addition to your home, or are you purchasing as an investment? Will you be allocating an annual budget for art investment with a view to creating a significant portfolio? Perhaps you are more interested in buying with serendipity as a guide, collecting art as it crosses your path. You don’t need pots of money to begin, there is a piece of art for every budget. And keep in mind that if you fall in love with something that completely blows your budget, many galleries and individual artists are more than willing to work out a payment plan.

Two ceramic busts patterned with a skyline view in the enigmatic “Metropolis” by Irish sculptor Gráinne McHugh | Photo Courtesy: @oenogallery

Change it up

Carlyn Moulton advises that it’s okay to “trade up.” Your collection can be refined by investing in better pieces or becoming more focused on a style or particular artist. “Building an art collection can be a very rewarding experience as collectors engage with artists, art dealers and other collectors. If the art is chosen carefully from artists with a reputation and track record, it can appreciate significantly,” she adds.

Maud Lewis paintings, once sold for a few dollars, today command as much as $55,000 at auction. | Photo Courtesy: @oenogallery

Art as investment

Hatch says that when it comes to paintings, “there are works that are known to be just like blue chip stocks. They will always hold their value and in most cases, they will go up over time. But this can also happen with emerging and mid-career artists too.” Sue Holland, a long-time County resident and curator of the Belleville Library’s Parrott Gallery, advises that anything of value will need an appraisal for insurance purposes, and you will need an insurer who has fine art policies.

Original oil panting by Milé Murtanovski titled ‘Furious Blunder’ | Photo Courtesy: Small Pond Arts

Tax benefits

If you are collecting for investment purposes you should also be aware that certain tax benefits are available should you decide in the future to donate your art to a museum or gallery. But there are strict rules, notes Green Point resident and Certified Financial Planner Randy Holt. Verifiable Canadian art work donated receives a 100 per cent estate tax deduction subject to caveats including a certifiable art evaluation by a recognized source. “My grandmother said this was painted by Tom Thompson,” just won’t wash with the CRA. “You need the provenance if the deduction is challenged, and they DO challenge,” he says.

“Fletcher’s Field Barns” Limited Edition Lithograph Deidre Hierlihy ©2017 printed at Sparkbox Studio. | Collection of Susan Hierlihy

Art therapy

Many studies have shown that living with art can reduce stress and create a sense of well-being. It can inspire and energize, and spark conversation. What better reason to trust your gut and go out and buy what you love? The Art in the County exhibition, PEC Studio Tour and galleries of Prince Edward County are a great place to start!

–

Visit the Prince Edward County Arts Council for more information about artists living and creating in The County.

By Susan Hierlihy. (updated April 2021)

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Visit The County is the DMMO for #PrinceEdwardCounty, a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners.

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🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

📷 by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS 😉).

Link in bio 👆

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷 Want 🍷 Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival 🍷

Want the chance to tour through 7 Prince Edward County winery venues while tasting wine and cider from 21 local producers?

Want to experience culinary delights from local chefs that showcase the winter cooking techniques integral to Canadian food culture?

Join us for Élevage hosted by @pecwine on March 11-12, 2023 and celebrate winter in wine country.

For more information and to purchase tickets, head to the link in our bio 👆
❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠ ⁠ Valentine's ❤️ PEC is for Lovers ❤️⁠
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Valentine's Day is almost here! Whether you're spending the day itself in PEC or you're joining us for a romantic weekend getaway, there's plenty happening this weekend to help make for a memorable stay with your love (or your bff, we're here for platonic love too)! ⁠
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🎙️ Enjoy Dinner and a Show on Saturday night at @KarloEstates with The Bees Knees, which includes a vegan meal and wine pairings, or start your weekend with Tasty Trivia ⁠
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🖼️ Head to @oenogallery for their latest exhibition, "Conversations" and then have a conversation about your experience over a wine tasting @huffestateswine. ⁠
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🍽️ This weekend, enjoy early Valentine's Day meals at @adegapec, @wandertheresort, @flameandsmith, @grangewinery, @7numberspicton,  @the_blue_sail_seafood_company, and @TheWaringHouse. ⁠
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🧘 Start your Valentine's Day weekend with a refresh at @bodymatrixpec with Acu-Detox+Yoga.⁠
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🍫 Attend a chocolate-making workshop @shedchetwynfarms (limited spaces remain). ⁠
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💃🏻 Dance your way to Valentine's day on February 11 at @thewaringhouse and on February 13 at @stellaseatery. ⁠
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🍳 Go for brunch at @jacksonsfallscountryinn, @bermudapec, @parsonsbrewing, @karloestates, and many more delicious spots.⁠
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🧀 Have a cheesy day with a visit to @lighthallvineyards for Raclette Sunday. ⁠
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🏈 If football is your love language, spend Super Bowl Sunday in PEC at @555brewingco, @princeeddysbrewing, and @thecountycanteen.⁠
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❤️ On Valentine's Day itself experience special menus at @bloomfieldpublichouse, @creekside_cafe_pec, and @theroyalhotelpicton. ⁠
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📷️ Thanks to @OntarioTravel and @rto9_on⁠
Image Description: Two women, a couple, smile at each other while clinking glasses of white and red wine together at Adega in Consecon, PEC. ⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠ ⁠ This month, enj 🍔 Burger it Forward 🍔⁠
⁠
This month, enjoy the signature burger at four participating restaurants in Prince Edward County and do some good. With each burger sold as part of the #BurgerItForward campaign, @lovecdnbeef will donate will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to Food Banks Canada. ⁠
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🍔 At @creekside_cafe_pec in Wellington check out their Creekside Burger, a 4 oz Local Beef Patty with Caramelized Onions, Tang Sauce, Garlic Aioli, Bread & Butter Pickles, and Cheddar Cheese. ⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theacousticgrill to enjoy The Acoustic Jam, a an 8 oz Angus Beef Patty with Fresh Tomato, Greens, Onion, Horseradish Mayonnaise, Roasted Corn Salsa, and Caramelized Onions served on a Toasted Bakery Bun.⁠
⁠
🍔 Head to @theroyalhotelpicton for The Royal Burger, which features a Canadian Beef Patty, Cheddar Cheese, Shallot Butter, Rosemary Ketchup, and Aioli.⁠
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🍔  And finally at @thewaringhouse you'll find The County Burger, an 8 oz 100% Brisket Patty topped with Canadian Cheddar, Crispy Bacon, Canadian Maple Syrup, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Pickle and Homemade Chipotle Mayo Sauce served on a Brioche Bun.⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC
☕️ Take a Coffee (or Cocoa) Break ☕️⁠
⁠
It's a chilly one this weekend! When you need some relief from the cold, why not head inside for a bit of a winter warmer at a local café! Luckily, The County has lots of options for you and your kiddos to get warm with a coffee, hot chocolate or tea: ⁠
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🧸 Speaking of kids, if you have them you definitely want to head to @beaconbikebrew in Picton where their kid-friendly play area is perfect to keep them entertained while you relax with a brew. But thei café menu is ideal for big kids too! ⁠
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☕️ Also in Picton you’ll find @misslilyscafe, the @thebeancountercafe, and @LusoBites, where you’ll find a whole host of delicious Portuguese delights (including pastel de nata!) alongside a large coffee menu. You can also pop into @theroyalhotelpicton for a warm drink alongside a memorable cannoli. ⁠
⁠
🫖 If tea is more your speed, don’t miss @SavonDuBois, whose apothecary is sure to provide the perfect remedy to a chilly day. ⁠
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🍵 Other spots to warm up throughout The County include @BloomfieldPublicHouse and @BloomfieldBeautyCo, @GOODPlacePEC, and @PiccolinaMercato and @demorestvillecafe_convenience. (Honourable mention to @ConseconHoneyHouseCafe who are currently hibernating like the bees, but will be back again soon.)⁠
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Image description: A young child plays with toys on the kid-friendly green carpet Beacon Bike+Brew. Their mother is on the floor with him, coffee in hand. ⁠
Image by OneLook⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #WinterinPEC
❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠ ⁠ ❄️ A Winter Bucket List for PEC ❄️⁠
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We're going to let you in on one of our best-kept secrets: winter in Prince Edward County. Sure, it's colder and quieter, but for us those are just added benefits that make for some unforgettable experiences. For the uninitiated that may need some convincing, so head to our blog to discover our complete bucket list for an incredible winter experience in The County.⁠
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Link in bio 👆️⁠
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Note: this bucket list might not be accomplished in a single weekend getaway, but maybe that calls for making a PEC winter getaway a tradition. Or better yet, book a longer stay to enjoy a whole week of winter fun in The County. Discover unique and luxurious accommodations on our website at visitthecounty.com/stay⁠
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