16th Annual Grand Prix Plein Air Challenge
Date: August 9th, 2025, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Along the Ambleside waterfront between 13th and 18th Streets
Costs: $45 (ages 19+); $20 (ages under 19)
Description:
In this time-honoured traditional painting competition, participants must compose, paint, complete and frame (or finish) a piece of art that has been created outdoors in under four hours.
Works will be judged and prizes donated by Opus Art Supplies will be awarded. Participants may exhibit and sell their pieces on-site from 4–5 p.m. on the day of the challenge. All ages and skill levels welcome.
Artists will have the opportunity to display and sell their pieces in the Artspeaks Tent until 5 p.m. on the day of the competition. The District of West Vancouver/Ferry Building Gallery will process artwork sales and take a 30% commission.
Participation Guidelines:
- Participants must be on-site at the ArtSpeaks tent (west of the Ferry Building Gallery) by 9:30 am. Late arrivals will not be accepted.
- All participating artists are expected to create a piece that reflects this year’s theme.
- Artists must supply their own surface and materials for creating their piece. Easels are not provided.
- Finished artwork must not exceed 20″ x 20″ (not including frame).
- All mediums are accepted as long as they are created on site in the time frame allocated.
- Once submitted for judging, artwork must be exhibition ready with edges painted or taped (if applicable).
- Watercolour: please provide a mat board or frame to display your work during judging. No glass please.
- Oil / Acrylics on board: please provide a frame to display your piece for judging.
- Canvas: no frame is required but the art should look finished at the time of judging.
- Do not sign the canvas before the judging is completed, as participating artists’ names are kept confidential during the judging process. The names of the members of the judging panel will also be kept confidential during the competition.
Registration:
Interested participants can register by calling 604-925-7270 (course # 190627 ) or by using this link: Plein Air Challenge Registration
For more info, visit our website.
