Sunday May 21, 2023 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends | ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS – CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Artists across Vancouver Island and on BC’s Coastal Islands are invited to submit artworks for consideration to the 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show.
- The show will again be held at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke.
- Submissions close midnight, June 1, 2023.
- Submitting artists are required to read the current Submission Guidelines before applying.
Detailed information on eligibility, submission requirements, important dates and more can be found under the section For Artists on the SFAS website. The Artist FAQ also answers some common questions.
37th show:
This year will mark the 37th time that Sooke’s SEAPARC arena is skillfully transformed into a high-end art gallery welcoming seasoned art lovers as well as those new and curious about the world of art.
From July 29 to August 7, the gallery will showcase original works of art amidst a backdrop of live music, art demonstrations, talks, and guided tours.
There are hands-on activities for youth and families, events for seniors and a well-stocked gift shop of artists’ smaller works.
A gallery of the art pieces displayed at the live Show will also be available for viewing online.
Submissions rolling in:
“The Call to Artists is highly anticipated every year and we are already receiving submissions from artists keen to participate in this year’s show,” said Terrie Moore, Executive Director of the Sooke Fine Arts Society.
“Artists and patrons alike are telling us that they’re eager to experience and enjoy artworks in person again and we anticipate great exposure for our artists this year, especially after the success of last year’s return to the live show format,” says Moore.
Juried show:
A distinguished jury panel will choose approximately 375 pieces of original fine art created from every imaginable material, in both traditional and contemporary styles, for display and sale.
The Show will also award over $12,000 in prizes in multiple categories, including art excellence, social commentary, designers’ choice, and people’s choice. In addition, artists can contribute unique gift items for sale in the Show’s popular gallery gift shop, and are encouraged to deliver talks, demos, or guided gallery tours at the show.
Genres:
Submissions may be from any island artist creating original paintings, sculpture, woodwork, photography, fibre arts, ceramics, and hand-formed jewelry.
Artists are encouraged to submit their works online before the deadline of midnight, Thursday, June 1, 2023, at www.sookefinearts.com.
Important Information for Artists
SFAS art submissions: Call to Artists opens Tuesday, March 15, 2023, and closes at midnight, Thursday, June 1, 2023. For submission information and details see www.sookefinearts.com
Benefits to artists:
- Over $12,000 in juried art awards
- Ability to sell smaller works in the Gallery Gift Shop
- Simultaneous exposure via our online gallery
- Access to our loyal purchaser base
- A chance to share & promote your talents via Talks, Demos, and Tours
- Listing in the show catalog, distributed to over 9,000 visitors
Fixed dates for artist submissions:
A big change for the show is a fixed date schedule for the Artist Call for Submissions.
Starting this year, it will always be open March 15 and close on June 1. This will help artists plan ahead. | Click here for 2023 Submission Guidelines.
Shorter show:
Perhaps the most notable change for loyal returning patrons will the 10-day show window, instead of 11 days.
This year’s show will run July 29 to August 7. Once again, at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex arena, which becomes professionally transformed into a world-class art exhibit for the Sooke Fine Arts Show each year.
There is a shift to Friday nights (from Thursdays) for the two biggest social events of the show: Purchaser’s Preview and Artists Award Night. The Purchasers’ Preview will be on Friday July 28 (7 pm) and the Artist Celebration will be on Friday August 4.
Sponsors:
The Sooke Fine Arts Show welcomes sponsors.
Island Social Trends has been an annual sponsor since 2017, and in 2023 will again be a Platinum sponsor. | Last year: Profile of 2022 Sponsors
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends is a professional news portal at islandsocialtrends.ca . Fully online since mid-2020, Island Social Trends emerged from the extensive groundwork of previous print publications in the west shore: MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), Sooke Voice News (2011-2013), and West Shore Voice News (2014-2020).
Since 2008, journalist and editor Mary P Brooke has taken a socioeconomic lens to news analysis about the west shore and south Vancouver Island region, including BC provincial news, and national news impacts. That falls within the publication’s mission of providing thought-leadership in the region.
Island Social Trends has been a sponsor of the Sooke Fine Arts Show each year since 2017, at the Platinum Level in 2022 and 2023.
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