Expressions of Art 2026: Meet the Local Artists Behind the Art in Carp

In an age when almost anything can be bought with a few clicks, there is something increasingly meaningful about meeting the person who made what you are looking at.

That is at the heart of Expressions of Art 2026, the West Carleton Arts Society’s annual juried exhibition, returning to the Carp Fairgrounds on October 3 and 4.

More than 30 local artists will gather at the Agricultural Hall at the Carp Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Road, bringing paintings, photography, sculpture and other works created in a wide range of styles and media. The exhibition runs Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What makes the exhibition distinctive is not simply the variety of artwork on display, but the opportunity to meet the artists themselves.

Visitors can take their time with a piece, ask what inspired it, find out how a photograph was created or talk with an artist about the materials and techniques behind a particular work. Those conversations can change the way a finished piece is seen. A painting may initially catch the eye because of its colour or composition. Hearing the artist describe the memory, landscape, idea or experience behind it can reveal another layer entirely.

That personal connection is central to Expressions of Art.

The 2026 exhibition will bring together artists who have participated in previous editions with several artists making their debut. Among the newcomers is Elaf Selim, whose paintings explore femininity, nature, light and the quieter aspects of inner life.

Selim works with oil paint and collage papers imprinted with plants from her own garden. The resulting works have a dreamlike, intimate quality, designed to encourage viewers to slow down and spend time with them. Her approach is rooted in the idea of art as a place of refuge. She describes her intention as creating “a resting place, an intimate sanctuary and a refuge in a fast-paced world.”

It is a sentiment that feels particularly relevant in a culture increasingly dominated by speed, screens and instant transactions.

Among the returning artists is Anne Heather Moore, a Carp artist and longtime member of the West Carleton Arts Society. Moore works primarily in acrylics, creating landscapes, streetscapes and figurative pieces that explore colour, movement and light. Her work is often influenced by the changing seasons and rural landscapes of Ontario.

Her connection to Expressions of Art extends beyond exhibiting her own work. Moore has also served as a coordinator for the exhibition, giving her a perspective on the considerable volunteer effort required to bring a community arts event together.

That behind-the-scenes work is an important part of the exhibition’s story.

A juried show may appear to visitors as a polished collection of finished works, but exhibitions like Expressions of Art depend on artists, organizers and volunteers giving their time and energy to make them happen. The result is not simply a weekend display of artwork, but a gathering that reflects the creative community of West Carleton and the surrounding Ottawa region.

The range of artwork also means there is no single definition of what visitors will find. Large original works will be displayed alongside smaller pieces, prints and art cards, giving visitors the opportunity to explore different artists and formats.

For those who are already passionate about art, the exhibition offers a chance to discover local artists and perhaps find a new favourite. For people who do not regularly visit galleries, the informal setting and opportunity to speak directly with artists can make the experience more accessible.

And for anyone looking for something distinctive for their home, an original work comes with something that an online purchase cannot easily replicate: a story. Who made it? What inspired it? Why did the artist choose those colours, materials or techniques? What was happening when the work was created?

Expressions of Art offers an experience that is increasingly difficult to find in a world of algorithms and instant transactions. There is no algorithm deciding what a visitor should see next and no “add to cart” button. Instead, there is the chance to stand in front of an original work, consider it from different angles and then speak directly with the person who created it.

At Expressions of Art, visitors can simply ask. That may be the most compelling reason to attend.

The exhibition is a reminder that buying art does not have to be an impersonal transaction. It can be an introduction to a person, a place, an idea or a creative journey.

With more than 30 artists participating, including familiar names and first-time exhibitors, Expressions of Art 2026 offers an opportunity to experience that connection firsthand—and to discover the people and stories behind the art being created in Ottawa’s west end.

Expressions of Art 2026 takes place Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Agricultural Hall, Carp Fairgrounds, 3790 Carp Road, Carp.

For more information, visit the West Carleton Arts Society’s Expressions of Art page.

HEADER IMAGE: The Silence Within by Elaf Selim, oil and mixed media on canvas, 20 x 20. RIGHT: The Blue Barn by Anne Heather Moore, Acrylic, 20 x 16.