The Sidney Fine Art Show (SFAS) will be celebrating its 12th year when it opens on Friday, Nov. 17.
“The Sidney Fine Art Show is one of the largest and most anticipated juried art shows in B.C. and a highlight on Vancouver Island’s cultural calendar,” said event chair and designer, Sandy Bligh.
The 2014 show takes place at the Mary Winspear Centre from Oct. 17 until 19, and promises to continue a tradition of showcasing excellence said Bligh.
“Over 1,040 entries from 441 artists were submitted and judged over a two day period in September,” she said, adding that this year, the show will feature over 400 pieces of original fine art.
“All of the pieces in the show are for sale ranging from small prints in the $350 range, to more imposing pieces from master artists,” she said.
The 2014 show features nine master artists, Dale Dziwenka, Noah Layne, Craig Benson, Tara Juneau, Clement Kwan, Johannes Landman, Leonard Butt, Marion Evamy and Stephanie Steele.
“This group of artists has been presented with a Sidney Fine Art Show major prize at least twice, and are in the running for a prize for best master’s work,” Bligh explained.
Bligh is one of the 300 volunteers to dedicate their time to the show each year. It’s a volunteer effort, Bligh explained, and people put in an estimated 6,000 hours to make it all come together.
The show is produced by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula (CACSP) and is juried by Nick Tuele, former curator at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Kayleigh Hall, curator and operations manager at the Art Gallery of Calgary, and Janice Robertson, artist and signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.
Bligh also said there are two special evening events this year from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
“Friday night is Celebrate Local Night,” she said, adding that show attendees can enjoy the art show while they savour local Saanich Peninsula wines and ciders and cheeses and charcuterie. Saturday night, she continued, is Meet the Artists Night with participating artists in attendance.
Admission to the SFAS is $6 per day or $10 for a three-day pass (children 12 and under are free). Hours are Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more visit sidneyfineartshow.ca.
— With files from Susan McIntyre
Bligh stepping down from show in 2015
Sandy Bligh, with the Sidney Fine Art Show since its inception in 2003, will step down as the show’s organizer but will stay on as the show’s designer.
“Chairing the show committee for these past four years has been very rewarding and a lot of fun, but it is time for me to focus on my own painting,” said Bligh, adding the show and its volunteers are looking for someone new.
