Wait, What’s Happening In Russell Ontario?

Arts Festival, Outdoor Photo Exhibition, and Live Music

Laurence Jansson, Highland Cow; Winner of the 2023 Russell Photo Expo

Autumn in the Country: Russell’s Arts Festival

September 12 – 14, 2025
Various times
Public spaces across Russell and Embrun

Russell, Ontario is known for its family-friendly, small-town charm defined by agriculture and a proximity to Ottawa, from which many residents commute to work. But with an ever-growing population, a budding arts community is forming. Autumn in the Country is Russell’s arts festival, attracting hundreds of visitors from Eastern Ontario and the best time to check out the incredible talent in the area.

On Friday, September 12, a large-scale public art exhibition will be unveiled at MacDougall Park, exploring how imagination, creativity and wonder can be reignited. There will be a mocktail bar, and a chance to meet the artists.

On Saturday, September 13, you can walk, bike or drive along the open studio tour to see live demonstrations of ceramics, painting, and glass. One of the spots on the tour is Artist’s Alley, a fine art market with artists from across Ontario and Quebec. At the end of the day amateur and professional artists go head to head in a battle of the brushes; a timed art event with winners chosen by the audience. Enjoy music throughout the day from Ottawa folk legends CA & Sonny, along with bbq and drinks.

On Sunday, September 14, join professional artists in an open air painting meetup. Bring your brushes, canvases and paints and get inspired by the fall landscape.

Whether you’re interested in attending, or participating as an artist you can find all the details at autumninthecountry.com.

Battle of the Brushes in action during the 2024 Autumn in the Country Arts Festival

Russell Photo Expo

September 13, 2025 | Unveiling at 12:30pm
Free, Russell Fairgrounds

During the arts festival, be sure to stop in for the unveiling of the winners of the Russell Photo Expo. An open call to photographers across Ontario and Quebec, The Expo invites artists to submit up to five images with their interpretation of the yearly theme. Four winners are chosen, printed and installed as semi-permanent public art along our walking and bike trails. Winners also receive the appropriate CARFAC fees, and honourable mentions receive a subscription to PhotoEd magazine. There’s even a category for youth, designed to help bolster CV’s and give a little funding for those applying to Universities and Colleges.

Now in its fourth year, the Russell Photo Expo has delivered on several kilometers of incredible photography. Start getting ideas, we hope you might consider submitted your images next year!

Visit the website to find all the details.

Hannah Mitchell, First Skate, Not the Last; Installed along the New York Central Trail in Embrun, Ontario

Festival of Small Halls

October 3, 2025 | 7pm
Russell Fairgrounds: Concession Street

While you’re at it, Russell is also host to several live music events. As part of Festival of Small Halls, Canadian legend Chantal Kreviazuk will be coming to perform her large collection of hits on October 3. Held in a repurposed barn complete with hay bails and flannel blankets, it’s the perfect venue for date night just outside Ottawa.

Visit the website to find tickets.

2023 Autumn in the Country volunteer holding up a work by Battle of the Brushes participant Paula Walsh

About Us

Autumn in the Country Arts Festival is an artist-run initiative made up of volunteers from across Russell Township. It is supported by The Russell Agricultural Society and Township of Russell. Special thanks to our partners the Russell Historical Society, Conseil des arts de Prescott Rusell. Special thanks to the Ontario Arts Council whose grant funding greatly supports the Russell Photo Expo.

Follow Us

Website | Facebook | Instagram