One of Victoria BC’s most charming events — the annual Moss Street Paint-In — celebrates its 22nd season from noonish to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18th. The Paint-In is a festival of art in which more than 100 invited professional and emerging artists from Victoria and surrounding areas display and produce their work on Moss Street between Fort Street and Dallas Road. The Paint-In is a free and fun-filled community-based art awareness and education event that sees 30,000 visitors and receives support from the City of Victoria.

Visitors to the event have the opportunity to meet with an enormous variety of artists and learn about their work and techniques. Ultimately, the event allows local artists access to a receptive audience while encouraging an appreciation of the arts among the visitors. Over 200 volunteers and participating artists dedicate more than 3,800 hours to make this exceptional community event possible.

This year, the Art Gallery of celebrates the 22nd anniversary of Victoria’s favourite visual art event. Every year, the Gallery transforms ten blocks of beautiful boulevards on Moss Street into a large, outdoor studio.

Vancouver Island’s largest outdoor visual art event is celebrating its 22nd Anniversary. To help continue its promotion of local artists, TD Canada Trust is the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s title sponsor.

The Paint-In is a community outreach initiative featuring over 100 invited professional and emerging artists from Victoria and surrounding areas. Artists take their studios to the street to display and produce their work on Moss Street between Fort Street and Dallas Road. The Paint-In is a free and fun-filled community-based art awareness and education event that sees 35,000 visitors and receives support from the City of Victoria.

Visitors to the event have the opportunity to meet with an enormous variety of artists and learn about their work and techniques. Ultimately, the event allows local artists access to a receptive audience while encouraging an appreciation of the arts among the visitors. Over 200 volunteers and participating artists dedicate more than 3,800 hours to make this exceptional community event possible.

More than 100 of Victoria’s most exciting established and emerging artists demonstrate their art for all to experience. Everyone is welcome! The Food and Beverage Garden, featuring entertainment and dancing, is open until 9:00 p.m. in the Art Gallery Parking Lot, 1040 Moss Street. For more information, call (250) 384-4171 or visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s website.

The annual Sooke Fine Arts Show provides the opportunity for both well-known and emerging artists to showcase their work. Along with the 7,500 annual visitors who attend the art show, the show draws hundreds of art patrons from British Columbia, and throughout western Canada and the United States.
The seaside community of Sooke, located about 45 minutes west of Victoria, is steeped in artistic talent and natural beauty, making it the perfect host for what organizers call the premier juried art show on Vancouver Island. This year will be the twenty-second year of the show and its second year under the sponsorship of the Sooke Fine Arts Society.


On the opening day of the show, Heather Burns’ performance on the piano will reflect the mix of jazz, Celtic and classical influences she is so well known for. Show patrons may also catch her playing on Wednesday evening. ‘M’ award winner Brad Prevedoros will perform his unique melding of Jazz, Celtic-folk, pop and classical guitar during the daytime hours on both Sundays and the second Saturday during the show.

The musical program is designed to reflect the breadth of art in the show. “Live music is an integral part of the total esthetic experience at the Sooke Fine Arts Show,” says Mary Holland, chair of the music committee. “I’m very pleased with our lineup of musicians and the wide variety of music styles they will bring.”

During the week, visitors to the show will also enjoy the musical stylings of Shane Beech on piano, Ellen Himmer on cello, Steve Pridgeon on piano, and Jim and Barb Sinclair on guitar and bass. Also appearing are the Pothole Pipers, Karel Roessingh on piano, MacHatties Colonval, Klazak piano, string quartet, the Hand Drum Rhythm Trio, and the Continuum Consort on viola, flute and guitar.

On August 2, the final Saturday night of the show, the ten-piece dance band Wine and Roses will play, inviting art patrons to test out their dancing shoes during the evening. On the final Sunday night, Lea and Emma Mae will fiddle while visitors check out the show.
A complete schedule of special events is available at www.sookefinearts.com.

On Thursday, July 24, before the show opens to the public, music will again play a large role in the special Purchasers’ Preview Night. The renowned Mark Atkinson Trio will play during the evening, while patrons get an early look at the art, and first chance to purchase the pieces in the show. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will complete the evening. Tickets for this event are available for just $25, by calling 250-642-7256.


Friday, July 25, is Artist’s Celebration Night. Lust Life will perform jazz, vocals, Dixieland and swing music for the entertainment of the show’s artists, sponsors, and their personal guests. Artistic awards will be given out before the show is unveiled for the artists. The show opens to the public at 10am, Saturday July 26 and runs for ten days.

The celebrations will be held at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, 2168 Phillips Road in Sooke. Tickets cost $7 for a one-day pass, $5 for a senior pass and $10 for a week-long pass. There will also be a Purchasers’ Preview Night from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24. Tickets cost $25.00 and must be purchased in advance by calling 250-642-7256.