In 1986, four adventuresome artists ventured forth one day a week to sketch and paint outdoors. Others soon joined them forming the Brown Baggers. The group’s ranks have now grown to over forty members who meet outdoors during the summer and indoors during the winter to share their knowledge and expand their confidence in painting. The friendship, laughter and brown bag lunches add much more to the gathering.

People join the Brown Baggers for a variety of reasons.

For some, it is for company while they paint. For others, it is to gain insight from painting with other knowledgeable people, to learn about new techniques, discover where to get art supplies, or to get the critique one might need to make a good painting great.

Every spring, the group displays their work at the Chapel Gallery. A theme is chosen after great thought and a lively discussion. It must be an inclusive theme yet one that challenges the members to greater accomplishment. In past years, the group has explored a variety of themes and concepts from portraiture, abstraction and painting with only three colours. This year, the Brown Braggers are inspired by their travels around Muskoka and beyond. 

The travel theme is not limited to just the art. The opening reception will feature dishes that reflect the region, which their paintings depict.