About the Event
If you are interested in painting a birdhouse, visit Kawartha Art Gallery, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Have questions? Contact art@kawarthagallery.com or call 705-324-1780
Submissions due Tuesday March 31, 2026, returned to gallery
Sponsored by the Lindsay Optimist Club and Lindsay Home Hardware Building
Presented by the Kawartha Art Gallery
Public Library, 190 Kent St W 2nd Floor, Lindsay, ON K9V 2Y6
“Small houses, big imagination”
Statement:
Perch & Paint invites artists and bird enthusiasts alike to come together in a joyful celebration of creativity and community. This project transforms traditional wooden birdhouses into vibrant works of art, each one painted by a member of the Kawartha Art Gallery and thoughtfully designed to brighten outdoor spaces while offering a perch for our feathered neighbours. Decorated with bold patterns, whimsical illustrations, or nature-inspired motifs, every birdhouse becomes a unique expression of imagination and care.
Participating artists customize their birdhouses using weather-resistant materials, ensuring each piece is ready to be enjoyed outdoors. After completion, the finished birdhouses will be made available to the public for purchase through a fundraising auction in support of Kawartha Art Gallery. Perch & Paint will not only raise essential funds for future cultural programming, but it will strengthen the connections between artists, nature, and community.
Attendees at the auction event will have the opportunity to explore the collection, learn about the different types of birdhouses and the birds they attract, and bid on a birdhouse to take home, display in a garden, or gift to someone special.
The Optimist Club of Lindsay is pleased to be a part of Perch & Paint.
“Optimist Club members see a clear linkage between supporting the arts and supporting our whole community,” said Optimist Mark Robbins, who is helping coordinate the effort. “Whether it is through promoting physical activity on the soccer pitch, supporting local food programs, or linking nature, the arts, and our community the Optimists Club is helping to make the Kawartha Lakes a better place to live for everyone.”
Optimist President Jim McKechnie pointed out the Optimist Creed encourages us “To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.”
“This quote underlines the importance of happily providing a home, with a flair of colour, for our local bird population,” he said. “From various artists, sharing their talents to community members, who purchase these beautiful bird houses, the Kawartha Gallery will benefit as they move into their new home.”
Join the Lindsay Optimist Club and Kawartha Art Gallery for Perch & Paint, creating one colourful perch at a time.
Painting Instructions:
Prep your birdhouse to paint for outdoor use, start by lightly sanding any rough areas and wiping the surface clean so the paint adheres well. Apply a base coat of outdoor acrylic and let it dry fully before sketching or painting your design, using thin layers helps prevent peeling and keeps colours vibrant. Bold shapes and simple details show up best outside, and smaller brushes make clean lines easier. Once finished, allow the paint to dry completely, then seal only the exterior with a non-toxic, water-based outdoor varnish to protect it from weather while keeping the interior safe for birds.
Available Options:
There are 5 different styles of birdhouses available. Click any of the options above to learn more about what kind of birds they will attract, how to maintain the birdhouse, safety considerations, recommended placement, and more.