Art lovers and collectors can save themselves a whole lot of time and even gain some unique insights by taking in this year’s art show at the Steveston Salmon Festival.
Thanks to a lot more room in the Steveston Community Centre to set up the works of local artists when one group takes a hiatus, this year’s show can be a one-stop opportunity to not only admire the talent, but meet the artists and maybe even purchase an item.
“The show is a wonderful opportunity to invite more local artists and the public to see their work,” said show organizer Tanya Bone, who added there is usually just room for five artists to display their work. “Now, this just opens up the door to display other work.”
In total, 12 artists will be shown.
Artists in this year’s show include: John Beatty, Tanya Bone, Danny Chan, Colin Foo, Margreth Fry, Jennifer Heine, Jeanette Jarville, Adrienne Moore, Bonita Ruttkay, Marvin Skelton Larry Tillyer, and Annie Tsai.
That gathering of talent represents a rare chance to see such a collection in one place since many artists’ work which can be scattered in galleries across the region.
“I’ve also tried to get a variety of artists,” Bone said. “We have a glass artist, an artist who does landscapes. We also have someone who paints more loose and contemporary.”
The experience will definitely be different from a gallery, most of which will have a certain feel or group of artists that fit their specific space, Bone explained.
“This will be like seeing 12 different galleries,” she said.
And having the exposure to such a large crowd of people passing through Steveston on July 1 — around 70,000 are estimated to take in the event this year — it is a unique opportunity to help get recognition for local artists.
It can also help those professional artists — some of whom can be somewhat restricted to sales just through galleries representing them — gain further notoriety, and even the odd sale or two at a good price.
Bone said, many galleries take a minimum 50 per cent commission. But some also allow their artists to sell their own works on one day of the year.
“That’s the contract I have with my gallery,” Bone said. “And while you never want to undercut your gallery, this show is a wonderful chance for the public to pick up a piece for about half price on the one day an artist can sell their own work.”
Plus, with the artists on hand, admirers and buyers can get a chance to talk with the creators.
“One of the main reasons the artists love doing this is the opportunity to speak to their patrons,” Bone said. “Often, galleries will not release the name of the patron to the artist because there’s that fear the patron will contact the artist directly and cut out the gallery.”
Business interests aside, the chance to chat get an insight to the artist’s creative process is truly unique.
“People who buy art love to know what was going on in the artist’s mind when they created that piece,” Bone said. “Is there a story to that? And artists love telling the story. There’s really nothing an artist likes better than talking about their work.”
The art show runs in the main meeting room across from the front desk at the Steveston Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
