16th Annual Grand Prix Plein Air Challenge

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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.

 

 

 

 

Grand Prix of Art Steveston 2023

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Date: July 22-23, 2023

Location: Steveston, BC.

Costs: Adult: $36.75

Description:

Artists of all ages and experience levels are randomly assigned a painting location along Steveston’s Historic Waterfront for their 10am starting time. The public is encouraged to visit the 35 amazing locations on the painting circuit and cheer on their favourite artist from in 3 categories: Masters, Adult Open and Youth.

Artists will be assigned one of 35 painting locations from London Farm to Garry Point Park and begin painting at 10am until 1pm when they must return to the shipyards, and prepare their paintings for display and adjudication. Artists, volunteers, and our event partners will enjoy a food truck lunch, live music, an interactive artisan market while the paintings are being judged.

Works of art will be on display and for sale in the Seine Net Loft Building at Britannia Heritage Shipyards National Heritage Shipyards. 5180 Westwater Dr. The Exhibition is sponsored by the Pente Building group with works available for viewing at 3pm following the Award Ceremony on Race Day and on Sunday July 23 from 10am to 4pm.

 

Registration:

Registration is open at: https://grandprixofart.ca/competition/

 

 

14th Annual Grand Prix Plein Air Challenge

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Date: Saturday, August 12, 2023; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Location: Ambleside waterfront in West Vancouver near the Ferry Building Gallery

Costs: Adult: $35, Under 19: $20

Description:

In this traditional competition, artists must compose, paint, complete and frame (or finish) a piece of art outdoors en plein air. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Works will be judged and prizes donated by Opus Art Supplies will be awarded. Artists will have the opportunity to display and sell their paintings on-site after the competition from 3–7 p.m. in the Artspeaks tent next to the Ferry Building Gallery.

Registration fee includes morning coffee and muffins and a wine & cheese reception after the judging

 

Registration:

Register by phone at 604.925.7270 (course #141747) or online at https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/westvanrec/activity/search/detail/138713?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Web link: https://harmonyarts.ca/program/grand-prix-plein-air-challenge

Questions? Contact gallery@westvancouver.ca or call 604-925-7290 for inquiries

 

 

CSPWC BC Paint Out Plus

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Date: August 27, 2022, from 10am – 3pm

Location: Ranger Station Gallery, Harrison Hot Springs (map)

Costs: $20 non-refundable.

Description:

  • Maximum size 15×22”. Watercolour and gouache only.
  • Prizes supplied by DeSerres. Awards Juror: David McEown CSPWC.
  • Paint anywhere in Harrison Hot Springs or around the Harrison River Valley, including around the community of Agassiz.

 

Registration:

Register at: https://cspwc.ca/cspwc-scpa-watercolour-paint-out-plus-2022/#Contest

2022 Grand Prix of d’Art

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The Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH) in Qualicum Beach invites you to paint en plein air in our twenty-ninth annual Grand Prix d’Art painting race. Each year we attract plein air painters from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland as well as hundreds of spectators.

 

Date: July 8 to August 26, 2022 :: 9am-2pm

Who: Artists of all skill and experience levels. Where: Downtown Qualicum Beach

Location: The Old School House Arts Centre, 122 Fern Road West, Qualicum Beach

Costs: $24.00 There is a T-shirt included in your entry fee!

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