Saturday July 27, 2024 | SOOKE, BC [Updated July 31, 2024]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Each year three jurors independently select the more than 375 artwork creations that will appear in the annual Sooke Fine Arts Show.
As a result, each there is a particular tone and theme that emerges from the display, which in itself is an artistic phenomenon.
This year the professional gallery exhibit seems to have slightly more artwork in tones of black and white or greyscale, and pieces with a lot of specific or compacted detail. One piece done in black ink only was apparently done in response to music, which without colour seems to miss part of the beat.
The art exhibit placement decisions are made by the design team, led by the show designer.
This yea’r show is four years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. People’s lives may now be demonstrating specific if not stark social, economic or physical results from having lived through the COVID years; it’s a time when perhaps some people are now introspective about the details of their lives as they piece them back together.
As usual, comfortable footwear is recommended for weaving through the show on the hard floors of the room that is otherwise a sports arena for most of the rest of the year.
Fresh experience each year:
Meandering through gently winding aisles of art is an experience that never gets old. Each year the experience is alive with bright or interesting combinations of displayed pieces, and show guests will differ with every journey through.
There’s much more than paintings and photos. The displays include sculptures, ceramic and clay, furniture and fabric works. There seems to be less jewelry in this year’s show, perhaps another example of how the mood of society that is captured by artists through their art is in less of a demonstrative mode and more of an introspective one.
Contributing artists are from coastal communities around Vancouver Island.
The show is an economic driver for the Sooke Region. Guests arrive from all around Greater Victoria, as well as from around the island and beyond – including Washington State and Oregon, as well as Alberta.
Sooke locals may be interested to know that the show floor layout has changed this year. The lounge and stage are straight ahead as you walk in, and the gift shop is to the left with a more spacious feel.
Youth exhibit:
The youth exhibit area — off the beaten track, in the food concession lobby — includes works by students from three SD62 high schools: Edward Milne Community School (Sooke), Royal Bay Secondary School (Colwood), and Belmont Secondary School (Langford).
Special events:
Each year the Family Artz Day for youth is free for children and youth up to age 17; this year on Tuesday July 30.
The Seniors’ Tea is on Wednesday July 31 this year.
On Thursday evening August 1 that’s the same night as the weekly Sooke Night Market, so the art show is open to 0 pm.
| Family Artz Day | Tuesday July 30 2-7 pm | $5/adult or senior | Online or Door |
| Seniors’ Tea | Wednesday July 31 1-5pm | Seniors – included with admission Adults +$5 | Door only |
| M-ART-ket Night | Thursday Aug 1 5-9pm | $5/adult or senior | Online or Door |
Show dates & location:
The 2024 Sooke Fine Arts Show runs 10 days from today July 27 through to BC Day holiday Monday on August 5. Check here for Sooke Fine Arts Show hours (which do vary on certain dates).
Sooke Fine Arts Show admission fees are posted online. The premises is not air conditioned but large fans are in place.
There is plenty of parking in the arena lot at SEAPARC Recreation Centre, 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke.
Show admission:
Tickets are available online or at the door. Show passes are $30 for entry on every day of the show. Or individual tickets:
- Adult (18-64) – $15
- Senior (65+) – $10
- Children & Youth (17 and under) – Free
Getting to the show:
Many in-town folks attend the Sooke Fine Arts Show, including many who are repeat volunteers, year after year.
For anyone taking Highway 14 from the Victoria area will likely appreciate the road improvements including an additional 4-lane section for passing.
Awards:
Awards are presented at the Artists’ Celebration event, this year being held on Friday evening, August 2.
| Awards of Excellence (eight awards) | $1000 each | |
| Juror’s Choice (three awards) | $500 each | |
| Designers’ Choice Award | $500 | |
| Jan Johnson Memorial Award for Social Commentary | $500 | |
| District of Sooke Award | $500 | |
| People’s Choice Award | $500 | |
| Children’s Choice Award | $250 | |
| Honourable Mentions (five awards) | $250 each |
Non-profit venture:
The annual Sooke Fine Arts Show is organized by the non-profit Sooke Fine Arts Society. Proceeds from art sales and the on-site gift shop are shared with the artists. The organization and volunteer team is led by Terrie Moore, Executive Director.
===== RELATED:
- SEAPARC Recreation: setting foot into the next 10 years (July 27, 2024)
- Sooke Fine Arts Show purchaser’s preview on July 26 (July 26, 2024)
- Dozens of sponsors for Sooke Fine Arts Show 2024 (June 30, 2024)
- Sooke Fine Art show exhibit assembly takes 3 weeks (June 28, 2024)
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Island Social Trends Editor Mary P Brooke formerly published West Shore Voice News (2014-2020) and before that Sooke Voice News (2011-2013) as well as MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010); all of those publications are now permanently archived at the Sooke Region Museum.
Mary was a community-active resident of Sooke and business owner there for 10 years (program activity guide designer for SEAPARC during 2008-2010 and ran the MapleLine Business Centre print shop in Sooke 2010-2013, while also launching Sooke Voice News in 2011) before relocating her publishing company to Langford in 2017.
Her publication Island Social Trends has been a media sponsor of the Sooke Fine Arts Show each year since 2017. Her own art expertise is in photography and page design as well as writing.
Ms Brooke has reported alongside the BC Legislative Press Gallery since 2020, including building a COVID pandemic news archive.
Starting in 2024, Ms Brooke also now leads the Urban Food Resilience Initiatives Society (UFRIS) on south Vancouver Island.