Skip to content

Fine art show coming together

With 24 editions of the Sooke Fine Art Show to build upon it’s no wonder organizers and participants have a special feeling toward this year’s 25th anniversary installment.

Things are progressing well, starting with the convenient and efficiently located office – now situated in a top corner of the SEAPARC Arena where the show itself is held each year.

The ladies working in the peaceful and spacious office last Friday vouched for its value, suggesting it’s a step up from the previous two addresses that were appreciated, but a little on the cozy side.

Important information relating to the who and the what was shared that day and it’s interesting to note that 538 artists had submitted works for adjudication, down slightly from last year. Up to three submissions per artist are permitted.

Based upon totals from past events, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 250 artists in total are likely to make the cut, so to speak.

Six hundred and eighteen two-dimensional works (most commonly paintings) have been received, while 149 3D (sculpture, woodwork, metalwork) items joined the list.

In the categories of ceramic; fibre; and glass arts there are 52, 67 and 32 offerings, respectively.

Rounding out the assortment are 48 pieces of jewelry, 108 mixed media, and 181 photographs.

Assistant office manager Emily Irwin pointed out that 200 artists are experiencing their first involvement with the show this year while a number of artists are returning following absences of various durations. She also indicated that a stronger representation of artists from up-Island is on the scene this time around.

“I think the fact that it’s our 25th anniversary is having an impact on our returning artists,” said Irwin.

Sooke Fine Arts Society Chair Sally Manning said formal press releases concerning the late-July-early-August event will soon begin to appear. As the May 27 office visit drew to a close, Manning seized the opportunity to credit the work and the presence of Emily Irwin and summer student Kali Larsen.

“These young ladies are a real benefit,” she said. “They keep us hoppin’.”