The annual Spring Art Festival is set to return to Oshawa on May 2 and 3, 2026, bringing together 60 local artists to showcase their work at the historic Camp Samac.
The festival will take place at 275 Conlin Rd E. Visitors can browse more than 500 pieces of original artwork, ranging from paintings to pottery, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on both days. The event is free for the public to attend and includes free parking.
The festival is hosted by the Oshawa Art Association, a nonprofit organization founded in 1967 by Audrey MacLean and Maureen Remington. Originally starting with 43 members, the association has grown to include more than 200 members dedicated to promoting fine art through workshops, exhibitions, and community festivals.
This year’s event takes place at Camp Samac, a 63-hectare property owned by Scouts Canada. The site has deep roots in the community, with the land donated in 1943 by Colonel R.S. Sam McLaughlin, the founder of General Motors Canada. The camp officially opened in 1946 and was formally recognized for its cultural heritage in 2021 under the Ontario Heritage Act. The grounds are known for their collection of 21 log-style buildings and historic totem poles carved in the 1940s.
The association has been hosting art events at the location for decades, beginning with the first annual show in 1981. These festivals serve as a venue for both established and emerging artists from the region to share their work with the public.
