Following its successful and vibrant debut season, the West Island Art Studio Circuit (WIASC) will return this summer with two free Open Studio Days to explore the world of the visual arts. The weekend of Aug. 15-16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, this celebration of creativity and community will showcase the incredible artistic talent within this sector of Montréal Island.
“Representing a third of the Island of Montreal, the West Island often gets overlooked in terms of visual arts events,” said Sandra Woods, WIASC Founder, Disabled artist and Veteran. “The West Island Art Studio Circuit aims to introduce not only the artists of this area, but also its network of cycling paths and new REM stations, to the rest of our Island. Come out and enjoy a summer day – or two – in mid-August and discover the exceptional creativity of our artists as well as some charming locales.”
The new light rail system (REM) – with its universally accessible stations and connections to the métro – now makes it easy to get to the West Island from downtown and the entire Greater Montreal Area. With bicycles welcome on REM cars this summer, we’re encouraging visitors to use active transportation to travel between participating art studios by offering a suggested “WIASC Cycling Circuit”.
The WIASC Mission Statement notes that: “Exhibitions, museums, and other visual arts venues present artists’ finished works, not the messy and often chaotic stages of the creative process that underpin each piece. We want to pull back the curtains to share these behind-the-scenes aspects of the visual arts… Opening our studios across the West Island to the public during a weekend will create the kinds of one-on-one and small group conversations that foster true and lasting connections between artists and the community in which we create.”
Whether visitors pedal, roll or walk to the studios closest to them, or complete the entire circuit, this unique two-day event is an opportunity to explore local arts in an active and innovative way. This year the West Island Art Studio Circuit will feature four new and eight returning artists, with studios in Beaconsfield, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Ile-Bizard – Ste-Geneviève, Kirkland, Pierrefonds – Roxboro and Pointe-Claire.
Meet local artists in their creative spaces to find out how they set up their studios, what inspires them, and why they’re so driven to create the “ART at the heART” of our island community. Open your mind to the visual arts, and your heart to discoveries, during this free weekend event in mid-August!