Richmond's Mark Glavina has always been an outdoor painter.
When the artist and owner of The Phoenix Art Workshop discovered the Grand Prix of Art in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island a few years ago, he was hooked.
"It's such a great event and as an artist you miss a lot if you just paint from photographs," said Glavina. "Taking part in a Grand Prix of Art competition provides excitement and a real adrenaline rush when you paint in a timed competition.
"I equate it to the same rush as a race is for an athlete."
Last year, Glavina founded the Steveston Grand Prix of Art. On Saturday, Sept. 17 the second annual art competition takes place.
"The challenge for the artists is that the public gets to watch the artists at work," he said, adding the public is encouraged to watch and ask questions. "A great artist draws on his observation skills . during this contest the artist can't erase or start over, so it makes the art work really honest and makes the competition pressure-packed . like performance art."
The Steveston Grand Prix of Art begins at 10 a.m. when a whistle signals the start of the competition. Each artist will be allocated a location in and around Steveston and they will have three hours to complete a work of art before handing them in at the Britannia Heritage Shipyards site, in the Chinese Bunkhouse.
"The participant can choose their medium and can paint or draw," said Glavina, adding artists are coming from all across the province. "However, the artist's finish work must represent their location in some form or another. Then, all of the works will be displayed and judged."
Meanwhile, last year's inaugural art competition drew 56 artists; 16 of them young artists. (The youngest was six and the oldest competitor was in his late seventies.)
"This year, we are probably going to have 75 artists from Garry Point Park to Britannia Heritage Shipyard and around the village," said Glavina.
"All the locations are very picturesque.
"For the participating artists, this is also a chance for them to get exposure, see what other artists are doing and sell their work."
Last year, Steveston merchants sponsored a dozen locations.
"We hope to have more on hand this year to sponsor the artists,' added Glavina.
The Grand Prix of Art is an idea, which originated in France.
Glavina hopes to create a Grand Prix circuit, taking the idea to five or six other communities, where artists will have the opportunity to travel from location to location, bringing them more exposure.
"I invite artists from around the world to com-pete," said Glavina.
On Sunday, Sept. 18 from, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the paintings will be on display and for sale at the Britannia Heritage Shipyards.
"Last year, we sold two dozen paintings, and Dan Gray's went for $1,000."
The funds raised from the sale of each painting will go, in part, to the Richmond Artists Guild.
Visitors will also have an opportunity to vote for a People's Choice award.
There will be a flag to identify each location as well as a map of each location available at the Phoenix Art Workshop.
This year's event will showcase the Latin rhythms of Sangre Morena.
This musical duo of vocalist Elsa Rojas Márquez and guitarist José Giménez will entertain artists, volunteers and visitors of the Grand Prix starting at 1: 15 p.m. at Britannia Heritage Shipyards.
For more information or to register, visit the website at www.grandprixofart.com. The artist fee includes a bagged lunch by Steveston's Bean & Beyond.
