All conference attendees (and the general public) are invited to attend the free sessions listed below. These have been scheduled to allow everyone to attend, even if you are also attending a full day or half day session on the same day, as they take place during the lunch hour (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or after sessions end (after 4:00 p.m.)  Registration is only required for the mentoring sessions.

Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1V7

Upcoming Events

Exhibition Walkabouts

Gallery Area
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (#1)
12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 31, 2025 (#2)
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Gobble your lunch and come to the gallery to enjoy and learn from a walkabout with two PAC Presidents (former and current). Each facilitator will select outstanding works that illustrate significant learning points and engage the participants in a discussion of the finer points of critiquing/appreciating fine pastel paintings.

Framing Demo

Gallery Area
Thursday, May 29, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join Joan Larson & Kris Baker for a free one hour presentation. Joan & Kris are both experienced framers and artists and can help you with your framing concerns. Samples will be shown, and pertinent topics will be discussed, such as:

  • How to save money when framing
  • Different types of glass and how they affect the artwork
  • Multi-use frames

There will be a question and answer time. The presenters will be here to help you with all things framing related.

PAC Purely Pastel Show Opening and Reception

Gallery Area
Thursday, May 29, 2025
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9C 1V7

Come enjoy the beautiful Purely Pastel exhibition and celebrate the award winners and new signature status holders. Light snacks will be provided.

Previous Exhibitions

Paint-Around Event

Gallery Area
Friday, May 30, 2025
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Everyone’s favourite event! Watch four talented PAC artists (Jessica Masters, Andrew McDermott, Clarence Porter, and Susan Typert) collaborate to create four delightful new works! Every 10 minutes, the artists will rotate through each other’s works and add another layer to the developing work. At the end, all four artists will sign all four works. These will be up for silent auction until the close of the conference on Sunday (June 1st) and go to the lucky highest bidder at that time. Come see four unique works of art develop before your very eyes!