From quiet canvases to chaotic comedy: day two of Dooryard Arts Festival delivers

by Paige Morgan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | Jul 17, 2026

James Mullinger comedy show for Dooryard Arts Festival. (Paige Morgan photo)

Painter Alex Curtis’ quiet rural revelations and comedians James Mullinger and Katelin Dean’s high-energy performances anchor for day two of the festival

The stage was alive on day two of the Dooryard Arts Festival, with everyone’s eyes on Alex Curtis, Katelin Dean, and James Mullinger.

Alex Curtis

The evening started at the L.P. Fisher Library, where Curtis displayed many of his paintings, part of his “Nothing Happens Here” exhibit.

“The title of the show is not supposed to be ironic. It sounds like it’s maybe just incomplete. It’s like, nothing happens here, nothing happens anywhere that you go, until you start paying attention,” said Curtis.

The Woodstock-based painter works with acrylics to colourfully display unexpected charms of rural communities in Canada. Many of his paintings feature scenes from around the Woodstock area, such as the McDonald’s drive-through and the Dari Delite.

Alex Curtis gives a speech on how we became the artist he dreamed of being. (Paige Morgan photo)

“I just like painting ordinary things because it reminds me to pay attention to ordinary things. Because there’s something happening everywhere, you might miss it. It matters because it won’t last. None of it will last,” said Curtis.

At the exhibit, Curtis shared his journey of becoming the painter he is today. He was originally from Cambridge, O.N., but thought he couldn’t be a “real artist” there, so he moved. He’s lived in cities like Fredericton, Montreal, Halifax, and even the rural town of La Ronge, in Northern Saskatchewan.

Out of all the places he’d lived, La Ronge was the biggest eye-opener. He realized that so much was happening in a place he thought nothing would happen.

Curtis and his family moved to Woodstock in 2019, where he worked as a plumber for three years, but admitted he felt trapped. His mindset shifted when he helped his daughter make a peanut butter sandwich.

*Nothing Happens Here* by Alex Curtis. (Paige Morgan photo)

“I started weeping, because I thought, I’m finally here,” said Curtis.

His exhibit reflects the life he’s growing to love here in Woodstock and how he has realized that small towns are full of life, stories, and visual richness.

The exhibit will be open for the next couple of weeks.

The exhibit had a large turnout, many of whom were Curtis’ friends and family from out of town. (Paige Morgan photo)

James Mullinger and Katelin Dean

Comedian James Mullinger made his way back to perform at the Dooryard Arts Festival. The crowd couldn’t get enough of him.

“It was a tremendous honour to be invited back to perform at the Dooryard Arts Festival. This festival holds a very special place in my heart, and every time I’ve been fortunate enough to attend or perform here it has been a genuine career highlight,” said Mullinger.

Mullinger’s friend and fellow comedian Katelin Dean, who previously studied and worked in Woodstock, kicked off the evening of comedy, cracking jokes about bidets and life working at “small family company,” – JD Irving.

As soon as Dean welcomed Mullinger to the stage, the hilarious chaos began.

The England-born and raised comedian, who became an official Canadian citizen a year ago, shared jokes about the differences between English and Canadian lingo and lifestyle, and stories about his adjustment to the change, one of which ended with him naked in a doctor’s office.

Dean set the crowd up for a great evening with her set. (Paige Morgan photo)

“I still get nervous before every performance, particularly the ones that matter the most to me, so it was especially rewarding to share the evening with such a fantastic audience,” said Mullinger.

Mullinger sends thanks to festival organizers Ross Kinney and Gloria Yachyshen for all the work they do to make the festival run smoothly.