The Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge Region has a variety of tourist accomodations to suit everyone ... historic hotels, elegant lodges, comfy motels, cosy bed & breakfast rooms and contemporary spots. Imagine sitting in a café over a nice latté or a tea  and contemplating all the art possibilities all around you! Think about visits in a new way ... why not come for a specific art-related event such as a lecture, or an exhibit opening. Or maybe you might plan a multi-gallery visit if you've never been here before. Or perhaps consider planning a stay around a course you've been inspired to take. These are some tidbits to get you thinking, and we'll keep adding art-related possibilties to spark your travel bug.

BE A ‘DAY TRIPPER’ !

How about a get-away day? For those who live in cities nearby, why don’t you consider a day trip to the region by train! Check out the train schedules to and from Kitchener and then see what possibilties you can plan around. You might plan a day around a visit to a gallery or two and see current exhibits and permanent collections. You might want to spend some time browsing through art publications at the galleries then head back home by train … with your train of thoughts on the day’s adventure. It is a great introduction to contemporary works on view, or to see historical work or collections. Our Get Off On Art galleries offer specific guided tours and talks about the artists and exhibitions, and there are always helpful gallery staff on hand for any and all questions. 

The Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery has a long history of collecting art. The range, depth and breadth of the collection is full, exciting, and rewarding in its range of historical through to the contemporary. Works from the collections are always featured in ongoing exhibits within the gallery, or you can join in any of their free public tours [you can check our Eventssection for notices of specific tours, or go to the gallery websites for information on special tours]. As an example of  more in-depth art viewing, you might combine a visit to the Homer Watson House & Gallery with a request to see the Homer Watson paintings in the KWAG's collection.

Below: Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery, Homer Watson House & Gallery, Clay & Glass Gallery

HOW ABOUT A 'CLASSY' GETAWAY! Have you ever thought about treating yourself to a vacation around an art class? Our Get Off On Art galleries offer an ongoing selection of art classes. Find something that interests you at one of the galleries, bring your art supplies [or check out the art kits available from the Homer Watson Gallery], book a stay at a nearby hotel, bed & breakfast, or lodge and make it a creative adventure!

A LITTLE 'DAUB' WILL DO YOU! If you have an interest in landscape or nature forms, you may want to go from a gallery to one of the nearby parks and try your hand at painting, drawing, or photography. And bring along a book to read. A winter's day can be inspiring in its pristine monochromatic mood, while a Spring day brings new life and small bursts of colour. Summer is lush and green, shady and sunny, and Fall is the ultimate in the reds, oranges, yellows and browns it offers up. Start with a  season, and come back for them all!

OH CLAY, OH CLAY!    Perhaps a class at the Clay & Glass Gallery is of interest to those who really want a 'hands on' experience with ceramic art. See what courses they have on their calendar and plan a visit around one! Need inspiration ... you can visit the exhibitions on view, and look around the marvellous works in the gift shop. Perhaps you might organize a group get-away?

The Clay & Glass Gallery has exhibition tours and studio workshop programs that are available for groups of adults [even yoga!]. In this two-hour program, the group is given a tour of the current exhibition as well as an opportunity to construct an object in the studio workshop. Objects are fired in the kiln and returned two weeks after the visit. Fire up your train ride back with conversation about the day’s events!Visitors will find an array of enticing ideas for art-related day visits, weekend visits and longer stays. The same featured suggestions are also enticing to those who live in the region.

Yoc can make it a get-away art adventure with a friend ... perhaps relaxing in a nearby café, reviewing your day's sketches or imagery, comparing the observations, sharing the moments and having an amazing record of your time spent here. Now that is an 'art-full lodger'!