The FCA is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1941. There are approximately 2000 members in Canada and abroad. The FCA is dedicated to the promotion and professional development of artists working as painters. By making resources such as publications, books, videos, workshops and classes and a display space available, the organization exists to spur members on to enhance their skills and technical knowledge.

The exhibition was open to all living artists working in paint or drawing media. The work juried for the show by American watercolourist and teacher Christopher Schink, was of uniformly high quality and covered a large range of styles and subjects. A panel of five distinguished local artists chose specific works for 9 awards ranging from $250 to $1,500. Opus Framing and Art Supplies was proud to sponsor awards in the form of three individual $1,000 shopping sprees; one for paints and mediums, one for fine art framing and one for fine art papers and painting supports. We were pleased to present these awards to the winning artists at the Opening reception on August 21st, 2003. Jean Pederson, a Senior FCA member from Calgary won the Opus Award for paints and mediums for her watercolour portrait entitled "Lost in Thought". Anne-Marie Harvey, also a Senior FCA member, won the Opus Award for fine art papers and painting supports for her work "Spring Spirit II". The third Opus Award, for fine art framing, was given to Lisa Hebden of Victoria, B.C. for her painting in oil "The Warehouse I". Coincidentally, Lisa is a staff member at our Opus Victoria store! Congratulations to Lisa, and to all the participants and award winners.

Opus is excited about partnering with the FCA to make the Painting on the Edge exhibition a yearly event for everyone to enjoy. As part of our continued desire to support the visual arts community, we are happy to have sponsored an event that endeavours to present art and artists to the world, as well as give emerging artists encouragement, stimulation and reward. The prospectus and entry forms for the 2004 competition will be available by the end of this year through the FCA. Carla O'Connor has agreed to perform the slide selection for Painting on the Edge II. Catalogues for the 2003 show are currently available at Federation Gallery at 1241 Cartwright Street, on Granville Island in Vancouver. For more information on the FCA or Painting on the Edge visit www.artists.ca or call the gallery at 604-681-8534.