Joanna & Mark Rozanski Return to Judge Art in the Park
The wait is almost over for one of Ottawa’s most anticipated cultural weekends!
On Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th, Central Park in the Glebe will transform into a vibrant, open air gallery for the annual Art in the Park Festival.
Operating from 10 AM to 5 PM, this beloved event offers the perfect summer experience, allowing visitors to stroll under a canopy of mature trees, picnic by the creek, and enjoy local food trucks while exploring the creative energy of over 150 independent artists. Admission is completely free, and the entire park remains pet friendly, making it a wonderful weekend outing for the whole family.
What truly elevates this grassroots, non-profit festival is its strict commitment to original, one of a kind creation. Art in the Park is a fully juried exhibition, meaning that every single painting, sculpture, ceramic piece, and handmade textile on display has been carefully vetted for quality and authenticity. There are no mass-produced items or commercial imports here, only genuine, local and handmade. To maintain this high calibre of artistry, the festival relies on a dedicated panel of experts to evaluate the exhibitors. This year, the Goldart team is incredibly proud to announce that our very own father-daughter duo, Joanna Rozanski and Mark Rozanski, will be returning to the panel, stepping up as event judges for their ninth year.
Serving on the panel again brings back wonderful memories of last year’s festival, which was a beautiful weekend filled with perfect sunshine, and a park buzzing with community connection. Joanna and Mark were deeply grateful to be part of it, spending the weekend exploring booths that felt like absolute treasure troves of inspiration, and sharing massive appreciation for the hard working organizers and talented artists. Tasked with the jewellery category, they faced an incredibly tough deliberation among a field of exceptional makers before ultimately presenting the Goldart Award for Best Jewellery to the talented Andrea Mueller.
They bring that same enthusiasm and experience back to the park pathways this year. Joanna and Mark will be on the grounds connecting with the makers, admiring the new creations, and evaluating the unique presentation of each booth. Their work culminates on Saturday afternoon when the prestigious festival awards are announced directly at the winning artist’s booth. When you see Joanna and Mark out in the park with their judging clipboards (looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new masterpieces alike) please feel free to stop, say hello, and share your favorite finds of the day.
If you are planning to attend, a few quick logistics will help ensure a smooth visit. Because parking in the residential heart of the Glebe can be challenging, we highly recommend walking, cycling along the nearby canal paths, or taking OC Transpo routes 6 or 7 right down Bank Street.
Finally, remember that the festival takes zero commission from artist sales, meaning 100% of your purchase directly supports the local creator. While most vendors accept tap and card payments, having a bit of backup cash is always helpful.
We cannot wait to celebrate the incredible depth of our local arts community together, and we look forward to seeing you all in Central Park!
