Rooted in Art took on a new form this year, bringing eight local artists together in Victoria Park for a three-hour live art competition inspired by Charlottetown’s urban forest.
The reimagined event, held Saturday, Sept. 12, invited the public to watch the creative process unfold and take part through the new Anything Grows competition.
All eight P.E.I.-based artists painted the same landscape, featuring a notable grouping of trees in Victoria Park. Working from the same view, each artist brought their own style and interpretation to the scene during the live competition.
The works were reviewed and selected by a panel with experience in municipal leadership, environmental sustainability and the local arts community.
The 2026 Rooted in Art winners are:
• First place: Kim Jabbour - $1,500
• Second place: Cynthia Gunsinger - $1,000
• Third place: Christina Patterson - $750
The remaining participating artists received a $500 honorarium.
“This year’s new live competition brought a fresh energy to Rooted in Art,” said Councillor Trevor MacKinnon, Chair of the City’s Environment and Sustainability Committee. “It was wonderful to see artists and community members drawing inspiration from the same landscape while celebrating the important role trees play in our city.”
The new event format also introduced Anything Grows, giving residents of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to create their own artwork inspired by the same Victoria Park landscape.
A total of 26 people participated in Anything Grows. Due to the level of interest, categories were created for adults and children. One winner in each of those categories received a $100 Blank Canvas Art Supplies gift card.
The City thanks Confederation Centre of the Arts and Blank Canvas Art Supplies for their support of this year’s event and helping to provide materials and equipment for the new live competition format.
Rooted in Art is an annual City initiative that celebrates the beauty and importance of the urban forest through art. Trees provide important benefits to the urban environment, including air purification, flood and stormwater management, and wind and noise buffering.
For more information about Rooted in Art, or to view past artwork and installations, visit
Charlottetown.ca/Roots.