"Some people think we're crazy for moving up there," the Pickering artist said. "But if you saw it you wouldn't think we were crazy."

Beach moved from Barrie to Pickering about 20 years ago and began teaching art at the City of Pickering about 15 years ago. She and her husband have owned their Halliburton cottage since 1984 and planned to retire there, but spontaneously chose to make the move now.

"It was sort of an impulsive decision (we made) before Christmas," she said.

Beach will say farewell to Pickering by appearing at Artfest on the Esplanade on Saturday, May 24. The City of Pickering and the PineRidge Arts Council are presenting the 12th Artfest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Esplanade Park in Pickering (Pickering Civic Complex, One the Esplanade). More than 80 artists will show their work at the one-day outdoor art show showcasing original paintings, photography, pottery, wood carvings, hand-crafted jewelry and more. There will also be food, free entertainment at the Gazebo and free arts activities for kids and teens. Parking and admission are free. Beach is volunteering at Hands-On-Art from 1 to 1:45 p.m. to help people sketch a sculpture of the Pickering Pioneer Family by Andreas Drenters.

Beach is no stranger to the Pickering arts scene for her teaching and said she'll really miss the job, especially since she's found it very rewarding and fulfilling. She began teaching watercolours, and eventually incorporated acrylics and drawing into her classes.

"The more you give the more you get in return," she said. "It's such a rewarding experience, teaching."

She said when she began, it was tough to even get six people to enrol.

"Now you just can't get into the classes," she said.

She's also taught in numerous places throughout Durham Region and has done commissions for the City of Pickering and Veridian Corporation.

Beach is not too worried about showing her work in Haliburton. She explained she feared she'd never have the success in Pickering that she did in Barrie, "but you do; it just happens."

Also, since Beach and her husband have owned their Haliburton cottage for a number of years, she has shown her work in the past and has already been scheduled for more shows in the future. Once she gets settled, she hopes to start teaching.

For information on Artfest visit www.pineridgearts.org/artfest.html. For Beach's website, visit www.theshelleybeach.com.