We would like to thank all artists for taking note of the “Marathon Rules” policy this year, and getting your entries in early. Unlike previous years, when almost 70% of entries were received in the last few days before entries closed, we had a much more balanced flow this year, with the last days being much more manageable.

We will be mailing entry packages, including instructions for September adjudication, and those all-important Art Identification Forms, out to artists by the end of the month.

Entries

Thursday, April 15th – Call to Artists available
Thursday, July 15th – Deadline for receipt of entry forms

Adjudication

Sunday, September 12th – work dropped off
September 13th and 14th – adjudication
Wednesday, September 15th – work picked up

Show Dates

Tuesday, October 12th – work dropped off
Thursday, October 14th – opening night
October 15th, 16th, 17th – Show dates
Sunday, October 17th– work picked up

The 2009 Sidney Fine Art Show held October 16th – 18th at the Mary Winspear Centre in beautiful Sidney by the Sea was another record-breaking success. A record 1,436 entries from close to 600 artists were received prior to adjudication in September. With close to 6,000 visitors to the Show over the three days, attendance was up over 15% from last year’s record. Sales were also strong, slightly exceeding the 2008 sales record, with 37% of the artists selling work representing 30% of the 372 pieces displayed. The Show continued a tradition of showcasing excellence with many diverse and exiting works on display. There were many comments praising the quality and variety of the art, as well as the presentation and organization of the Show. The artist demonstrations given every day of the Show, and on “Meet the Artists” night, also proved very popular.

Despite some inclement weather, the town of Sidney was busy with visitors, with many businesses experiencing one of their busiest weekends of the year.

Once again, the Show Committee, and close 300 volunteers did an outstanding job of organizing and running what has become one of the largest and most anticipated juried art shows in British Columbia.

I’ve been a juror with the Sidney Fine Art Show for the past three years. Each year I’ve seen an increase in participation and quality of work. I’ve also seen an increase in excitement between participating artists. I’ve made presentations and given seminars to quite a number of local artists groups over the past year and in each case, I’ve seen that this show has become an important part of their artistic plans for the coming year. I’ve also been asked on several occasions to speak to artists groups and critique work that was submitted, but not accepted, with an eye to learning what the jurors might be interested in for next year.  There is definitely an already large buzz of excitement around the 2009 show and it is still growing.

The Sidney Fine Art Show has become one of, if not the, largest and most anticipated shows in British Columbia. The Show is also a highlight on the cultural calendar of Vancouver Island.

As artist participation grows, so does the competition and prestige at being included or perhaps even a prize winner. This has, in turn, attracted higher and higher profile artists from ever greater distances. Its shows like this that grows a community. Members of the artistic community know that a show of this size will expose them to unique work and new styles. It’s this exposure that creates a vocabulary for individual’s artistic style.

More and more, Southern Vancouver Island is becoming internationally known for the quality of it’s artists. Thanks to the building of a close community, all learning from and sharing with each other in a forum such as this.

For attendees of the show, it exposes them to styles and art they might never have seen. Without a doubt, the Show opens minds, expanding tastes and challenges perceptions for young and old and perhaps even finding something for their own walls in the process. I’m sure the 2009 show will be another landmark year. I’ll be there!

Lastly, I can’t say enough about the people who coordinate and present this show.  Each year they are forced to become more and more proficient at the various processes.  From  tallying, judging, hanging and presenting, they need to keep pace with the growing number of entries.  They have refined these processes to be art forms, themselves.  I’ve been involved in other shows in the past, but none of this size and complexity. Without outstanding people, there would be no way to put on a show of this scale and in this time frame. They can be trusted to really get it done, and done well.

Mark Heine