A dozen of B.C.’s most talented artists are descending on McArthurGlen Designer Outlets in Richmond to find beauty in the daily scenes at the outdoor outlet mall while promoting an upcoming art competition in the city.
On Aug. 18 and 19, painters specializing in pastel, oil, acrylic and even goulash will prop up their easels in the outdoor walkways between the shops.
“[Painting at a mall is] interesting in a different way,” said Mark Glavina, who organizes Richmond’s annual Grand Prix of Art.
“It’s much harder shapes and more architectural, more perspective.”
The 12 artists are all competing in the master category of the Grand Prix of Art in September. It’s an outdoor art competition that sees more than 100 artists race to finish a plein-air piece inspired by a location in Steveston.
Glavina says McArthurGlen has partnered with the Grand Prix leading up to the big day to provide a venue for the artists to demonstrate what they do. The paintings will be for sale at the end of the day, with all proceeds going directly to the artists.
Outdoor painting at the mall will undoubtedly produce different pieces from the Grand Prix ones that usually depict scenes in Garry Point Park or the Britannia shipyards. Glavina suspects some shoppers may find themselves captured in a portrait, or some merchandise depicted as a still life.
Although the Grand Prix didn’t go ahead in 2016, Glavina said he was heartened by support from the city and the community when the event came back last year. The Grand Prix will again be held in Steveston on Sept. 22.
