The Quebec Arts Alive Festival is bringing tons of art-centric fun to the West Island. On Sept. 23 and 24 at St. John Fisher Junior Elementary School in Pointe-Claire, there will be workshops, arts and crafts and live performances, all of which will be free. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. and will wrap up at 4 p.m. on both days.

The festival provides kids of all ages the chance to come together, learn about and celebrate local artists in their communities. There will also be numerous workshops dedicated to visual arts. On Sept. 23, children 8 and up can attend the Creative Stitchery (11:30 a.m.) and Islamic Geometric Art (12:30 p.m.) workshops, while Kite Making (2 p.m.) and Rug Hooking (2:30 p.m.) workshops will be offered to ages 6 and up. A writing workshop will be available for ages 11 and up at noon.

On Sept. 24, children aged 5 and up can participate in the Creative Stitchery (2 p.m.) and Printmaking (3 p.m.) workshops, and ages 10 and up can attend the Lantern workshop at 11:30 a.m. All workshops last approximately 45-90 minutes.

The auditorium will transform into a hub for all performances and shows. Visitors can expect to see musical theatre, dance and classical music performers on stage.

Children under the age of 5 are welcome to join the Teddy Bear Picnic in the auditorium at 11:30 a.m. on both days. Kids can sip juice and cuddle with teddy bears as an animator reads to them. If a child doesn’t have a teddy bear of their own, one will be provided.

At noon on Sept. 23, the Hello! Hello! Show animator Christopher Pennington will be on hand for a sing-along with 2- to 5-year-olds, while Break City will perform a dance routine at 2 p.m.

At around noon, kids 6-12 can participate in a choose-your-own adventure game.

On Sept. 24, performances will include the Flashback rock band, comprised of 10-year-olds from Beaconsfield, as well as a musical version of Little Red Riding Hood called Who’s Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf by Gleams Theatre for children aged 4 and up.

Meanwhile, in the school’s gym, 20 professional and local artists will present and sell their artwork, and children’s author Pat Nicholson will be on hand to read excerpts from her books. Kids will also be able to enjoy henna tattoos, balloon animals, face painting and more.

The Quebec Arts Alive Festival toured the province throughout the summer and held festivities in Knowlton, Quebec City, Hudson, Huntingdon and Wakefield.

For more information, visit 2017.arts-alive-quebec.ca/artsAlives/home.