The show is presented for 11 days — July 27 to August 6 — within the SEAPARC Leisure Complex arena which becomes transformed into a professional exhibit space.
Items that sold last night at the Purchaser’s Preview event were mostly paintings, and a few 3D pieces.
A full house was achieved last night, with ticket-holders including sponsors, community leaders and the general public. “It was a very social mix,” says SFAS Executive Director Christa Rossner.
“These people come out to support the arts community,” says Jen Hayward, Administrative Coordinator.
“We’ve opened up the show floor, so it feels more open when you first come in,” says SFAS President Geraldine McGuire. First in the sight line this year is the Gift Shop, instead of the information booth which is now off to the left of the entry.
Of the 380 art pieces in the show this year, there is the usual range of genres including paintings, photography, fabric art, sculpture, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.
Each year there are three new jurors who sort through all the submissions and select final pieces for the show. This year’s jurors are Nick Bantock, Lee Gass and Wendy Welch.
This year there are repeating themes in soft, pastel blue-grey tones that are punctuated in other sections by oranges, reds and bright tones. A distinctly ‘enjoy the bright colours’ section is presented in the far back corner, perhaps adding an energy lift for the return walk through the rest of the show and back to the main gathering space that includes a little seating area with a stage where live music is played pretty much throughout the show hours (10 am to 7pm most days).
Compared to the past several years, there seems to be slightly less pottery and jewelry, and more paintings. One piece that elicited delight from people passing by was a collection of felt salmon hanging from a line. People also seemed quite interested in carved furniture (including a coffee table and chest). One painting was a direct take-off from the style of Ted Harrison. Bright red flower paintings, photos, sculpture art and fabric pieces are vibrantly placed to visually pop up as the show is toured.
Show details: www.sookefinearts.com