From July 22 to August 1 the Sooke Fine Arts Show invites art lovers, and those curious about all types of art, to visit SEAPARC Leisure Centre in Sooke, where the ice arena has been transformed into a sparkling, 17,000 square foot gallery displaying 370+ original works of West Coast art.
The Sooke Fine Arts Show is a 36-year strong, 11-day community arts experience, the largest juried art show on Vancouver Island. Over 9,000 people attended in-person in 2019 and more than 10,000 visitors viewed the show online in 2021.
After a two-year online experience, the Show the returns this year to SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke as a live, in-person festival of arts, showcasing exceptional artworks by artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s Coastal Islands. This celebration incorporates live music, artist demos, lectures and activities for all ages, including two tea and scone afternoons for seniors and a day for children and youth.
For artists – and art lovers – of all ages
Along with a chance to view and purchase the juried world-class fine art, a gallery gift shop displays smaller works for sale, and the youth art gallery proudly features works created by talented students from the regional high schools.
Over 280 established and emerging artists will have their original works exhibited in categories such as painting, sculpture, photography, fibre, ceramics, and hand-formed jewelry. Several will take home awards totaling over $12,000, acknowledging their outstanding creativity and skill.
Behind the scenes during most of July, more than 300 volunteers will be busy doing what it takes to create the gallery. Everything they do, from helping construct and light the gallery, hanging and placing the artworks, greeting guests, and running the activities, reflects the character of the community that inspired the first Sooke Fine Arts Show in 1986.
Pleased to be in-person again
“After two years of being online, putting together a live show again is exciting for everyone involved,” says Terrie Moore, Executive Director of the Sooke Fine Arts Society. “We can’t wait to open the gallery to viewers and for them to see in person this year’s exceptional art works. There are provocative pieces, a lot of social commentary, and many three-dimensional art works – even some interactive art pieces!”
The Sooke Fine Arts Show is unveiled on July 21 with Purchasers’ Preview Night, an exclusive, ticketed event that allows seasoned and new art collectors and purchasers first access to view and purchase their favourite unique artworks.
Guests at the Preview Night will enjoy beverages and assorted hors d’oeuvres by 4 Beaches Catering, live music with Broke and Blue, and the excitement of experiencing a live art event again. Purchasers’ Preview Night tickets are available for $45 by pre-sale only at sookefinearts.com.
General admission adult day tickets are $15 each, with seniors (65+) at $10. Children & Youth (17 and under) are welcome to enter for free. A show pass for entry into all 11 days of the show is available for $30. New this year is the option to purchase tickets ahead of time online at https://sookefinearts.com/show-2022/#admission and as always, tickets are available at the door.
There are also two special events for families with reduced rates for adults (tickets available at the door only):
- Tuesday July 26, 2022: 2-7pm: Family Afternoon, along with Artz4Kidz and Artz4Youth activities – $5/adult, children & youth free
- Thursday July 28, 2022: 5-9pm : M-ART-ket Night check out the neighbouring market at the Sooke Region Museum before you see the show – $5/adult, children & youth free
For more information about the show please check the website: sookefinearts.com or call the Sooke Fine Arts office at 250-642-7256.
The Sooke Fine Arts Show and Sale is a volunteer driven, community-proud event with a 36- year history of showcasing art and culture of the region. It draws visitors from the local area, from the Lower Mainland, across Canada, the US and abroad to enjoy and celebrate the unique culture of Sooke and BC’s coastal area.
The Sooke Fine Arts Society is a not-for-profit, federally registered charity (#R852375765RR0001) and respectfully acknowledges that we live, work, and create on the traditional territory of the T’Sou-ke First Nation, and we are grateful to be in this beautiful place.