On Saturday morning, when that whistle sounds, the buying frenzy will ensue at the fifth, annual Guess Who charity painting sale.
After an initial 15-minute viewing period, local art lovers attending the Richmond Artists Guild (RAG) event at South Arm United Pioneer Church will be able to splurge $100 on each piece.
However, just like every year for the past four, the customers will not know the creator of the 10 by 10-inch canvas until after the purchase.
The only thing certain is that half of the sale of each artwork goes to the Richmond Food Bank.
“We should have well over 100 paintings again; it’s only once a year and for one day and we average about $2,000 a year going to the food bank,” said Lorraine Wellman, RAG vice-president.
“And again, about 30 of the paintings are coming from the kids at Steveston-London secondary.”
After the 15-minute viewing period at the sale’s 10 a.m. opening, Wellman said it’s a slightly mad scramble for people to get the painting they want, before it subsides as the day goes on.
“The majority are painted by our members, but there is one from Chris Charlebois, a well-known local artist; some of his pieces go for a few thousand dollars,” added Wellman.
The magic is, she said, you won’t know for sure which one is from Charlebois until you’ve bought it.
Guess Who runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church on No. 3 Road and Steveston Highway.
