Saturday August 7, 2021 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
The 12 months preceding submission of artworks to the 2021 Sooke Fine Arts Show fell smack dab within the first and second waves (ie. 2020, then year end 2020 into winter/spring of 2021) of the COVID-19 pandemic here on Vancouver Island.
So it’s not surprising that the themes of confinement, self reflection and looking for new growth were seen in the 350 artworks (by 249 artists) that comprised the show that ran July 23 through August 2, 2021 online (plus a Purchaser’s Preview on July 22).
Yesterday the Sooke Fine Arts Show organizers announced the 2021 People’s Choice Award Winner. It was one of the tiniest pieces in the show, standing just a few inches tall. ‘Growth in Confinement’ by Lainey Thompson won that coveted status. Usually the People’s Choice piece is used in marketing for the following week’s show.
Online reach:
The online exhibit — now for the second year in a row due to the pandemic — was viewed by people worldwide. Some of the locations included Australia and Texas.
This year’s show had a virtual walk-through gallery experience, set up in six galleries named after local species of trees.
Read the Island Social Trends arts review of the 2021 Sooke Fine Arts Show by Molly Pearce.
Organizers are happy:
The board and staff of the Society Fine Arts Society were delighted to be able to keep the show going in the virual realm. They say they were especially pleased to continue showcasing established and emerging artists and their work.
Thanks to everyone:
The SFAS organizers say thank you to all their visitors, sponsors, donors, purchasers and volunteers in addition to “of course” the artists for their support in 2021.
Award-winning pieces in person:
The award-winning pieces were set up on July 26 at the Sooke Arts Council Gallery (6596 Sooke Road at the corner of Church Road) to in-person viewing, and that exhibit continues through Sunday August 8. Gallery hours are 11 am to 4 pm. Donations are appreciated, say organizers.
There is a guestbook on site at the gallery, as well as online.
Youth Art Project:
Youth Artists came together on July 27 to explore graffiti, stencil arts and other street art styles, under the keen eye of three artist mentors: Shawn O’Keefe, Tim Hoey, and Axel Tutton. Artworks created by the mentors on that day will be auctioned on the SFAS website soon.
En Plein Air:
Coinciding with the last two days of the online show, there was an “En Plein Air” activity with artists painting outdoors throughout the Sooke region. The finished pieces will be on display August 25 to September 5 at the Sooke Arts Council Gallery.
The pieces will be simultaneously auctioned online as a fundraising collaboration between SFAS and SAC. The Sooke Tourism Association is sponsoring the event. Auction info will be posted on the www.sookefinearts.com website.
===== RELATED:
Arts review: resilience and self reflection in COVID-year Sooke Fine Arts Show (July 27, 2021)
Meet the 2021 Sooke Fine Arts Show jurors (July 20, 2021)
Sooke Fine Arts Show online again in 2021 – starts July 23 (July 20, 2021)
Jurors & artists gearing up for 2021 online Sooke Fine Arts Show (May 14, 2021)
Sooke Fine Arts Show virtual again in year-two of pandemic (March 5, 2021)
Success for first-time virtual Sooke Fine Arts Show (August 17, 2020)
Sooke Fine Arts Show online during COVID July 24-Aug 3 (June 27, 2020)
Premier Horgan at the 33rd Sooke Fine Arts Show (July 27, 2019)
