The Grand Prix d'Art in Qualicum Beach
Let's get artists out of their studios and onto the streets. The Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH) in Qualicum Beach does just that once a year (Saturday, July 26 in 2008) to the great enjoyment of artists as well as the general public. Our Grand Prix d'Art is a "race"; competing artists must complete a work of art "en plein air" (working outside on location, not in a studio) within three hours. Each Plein Air Painter is assigned by lottery a location in the picturesque town of Qualicum Beach. The work must represent or be inspired by some thing or person that is visible from the assigned location. All locations are within walking distance of TOSH, visitors are encouraged to watch the process and the progress of the artists, and maps are provided. The Plein Air Painters must complete their work within the three-hour limit and have the paintings in display condition, titled and priced for sale no later than one hour after completion. A panel of three judges then determines the winners of the contest. All the paintings from the event will hang in our galleries until August 17th.
Our event is thirteen years old this year. Each year it attracts about fifty Plein Air Painter participants from Vancouver Island and BC's Lower Mainland and hundreds of spectators. Since there has been a constantly increasing interest in this event from the community, visitors and artists, in 2008 TOSH is hoping to encourage international Plein Air Painters to participate. This year we are offering a plein air painting workshop on Friday, July 25th (the day before the Grand Prix d'Art).
In conjunction with this event, we have invited the World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists to exhibit in our gallery. The tour is open to signature members of International Plein Air Painters and charter members of Landscape Artists International. The exhibition will feature almost 30 works of beautiful landscapes from around the world and reflect the many locales, styles, and mediums of the participating artists. The premiere 2007 World Tour of Contemporary Landscape Artists has already kicked off with an opening on June 2, 2007 at the Karpeles Museum in Newburgh, New York.
The entry fee for the Grand Prix d'art is $20.00 (including lunch)
Schedule for Grand Prix d'Art on Saturday, July 26, 2008 :
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10:00 - Registration and site selection (at The Old School House Arts Centre)
11:00 - When Town Clock strikes 11:00 pm - START YOUR PAINTING
2:00 - When Town Clock strikes 2:00 pm - STOP YOUR PAINTING
Return to the Old School House for framing and hanging of pictures. Work is to be framed (unless on canvas) and priced for judging.
3:00 - Judging commences when the hanging is completed.
Lunch will be served at 3:00. (Companion Meal: $10.00)
4:00 - Award Presentation
For more information and/or to register, please contact:
The Old School House Arts Centre
122 Fern Road West, Qualicum Beach V9K 1T2
250-752-6133 e-mail: qbtosh@shaw.ca
Website: www.theoldschoolhouse.org
Opus Customer Service: