Art Under the Stars will bring art, culture, food and local business together in downtown Chatham on Friday, Feb. 6, with a free, self-guided evening event running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Presented in partnership with the Downtown Chatham BIA, the event invites visitors to explore participating venues throughout the downtown core, each offering its own programming and experiences. Organizers say the evening is designed to showcase the creativity and energy that define Chatham-Kent’s downtown while encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses.
The event is free, family-friendly and open to all. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and explore at their own pace as they move between venues across the downtown.
Confirmed participants include R.A.D Studio + Café, Turns and Tales Board Game Café, the Chatham Capitol Theatre’s Mainstreet Lounge, The Garden Event Centre’s Cupid on King, ARTspace, Art & Heirloom Shoppe, Crow City Coffee, the Chatham-Kent Museum and the Thames Art Gallery.
Programming across venues will range from artist talks and live music to interactive workshops, exhibitions, specialty menus and retail pop-ups. Highlights include a live jazz trio at the Mainstreet Lounge featuring Doug Banwell, Andy Tattersall and Peter Hyson from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; an opening reception at ARTspace for Psalms 1 through 30, a solo exhibition by Brian Halls with live music by Wallaceburg-based multi-instrumentalist Qu; and creative workshops, crafting activities and specialty drinks at Turns and Tales Board Game Café.
Art & Heirloom Shoppe will feature live painting and demonstrations from local artists, while The Garden Event Centre’s Cupid on King will host an evening of romantic décor and live blues music by Snye River Blues, with Mark Giles Jr., Mitch Doxtater and Bryan McLellan. The Chatham-Kent Museum and Thames Art Gallery will offer access to the exhibitions CK In Full Colour and RAFT by artists Swapnaa Tamhane and Karen Kraven, along with family-friendly activities in the Imagination Station and the newly opened ARTspark. At 6:30 p.m., consultants from ERA and Monumental will deliver a presentation on updates to the Chatham-Kent Cultural Plan and remain on site until 8 p.m. to engage with visitors.
“Art Under the Stars celebrates what makes Chatham-Kent special — the creativity of our artists, the passion of our business community, and the desire people have to connect,” said Stephanie Saunders, senior curator of CK Galleries and Museums. “This event is welcoming, accessible, and designed to inspire exploration and discovery.”
Mary Baruth, manager of arts and culture, said partnership is central to the initiative, noting collaboration with the Downtown Chatham BIA and local businesses is helping build a vibrant downtown experience.
With projected attendance of more than 1,000 visitors, organizers say Art Under the Stars is expected to generate meaningful cultural and economic impact for downtown businesses during the winter season.
Art Under the Stars takes place Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at various venues across downtown Chatham. Admission is free, with full event details available at www.tagartspace.com.
