Paint will fly and brushes will creatively caress canvas as 18 artistic adversaries compete in a colourful competition at the Deer Lake Gallery July 8.
It’s the second annual Parks Edge Paint Off being held in conjunction with the third annual Summer Arts Festival at the gallery’s picturesque property (6584 Deer Lake Ave.).
“It was amazing,” said Burnaby Arts Council executive director Teena Martin of the first paint off. “It was extremely popular. I had artists contact me well in advance to see if we were doing it again.”
Martin sought out a couple of quality competitors to add to this year’s lineup. “I’m quite happy.”
The artists compete in the gallery’s backyard and have two hours (1 to 3 p.m.) to produce a work on a blank canvas provided by the gallery. This year, the work must be based on the theme of diversity.
While they may not be jocks, the artists can be quite competitive. “Last year, I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried herding cats, but that’s like herding artists,” said Martin.
The artists will compete for $500 in prize money provided by Tourism Burnaby and other prize packs. The winners will be determined by the people’s choice method, meaning the spectacle’s spectators get to vote for their favourite works.
Then, if they want, they can buy the competitors’ finished products via a silent auction. The proceeds are split between the gallery and the artist. Martin said it’s a wonderful way to pick up excellent work from quality artists for an inexpensive price.
“It’s a cool way to be able to see them do the art, but also say, ‘I saw them paint this and I bought it,’ ” she said.
The inaugural winner, Bill Higginson, was unavailable for this year’s event but second-place finisher Kristina Kosolova will be back.
While the paint party is on in the backyard, the summer arts festival is in the front. It will have a diverse display of entertainment (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and an artisans’ market where artists will have original works for sale. Martin said she had to turn away some artists this year. “I only have so much space in my front yard here, so that’s great.”
Also going on out front is a children’s art workshop and inspiration station, which has been a popular attraction at the first two festivals. This year, DeSerres, an art supply outlet, will provide experts to work with youngsters to create a community project. And since a staple of community festivals is face painting, and this after all is an arts festival, this one has it too.
Martin loves the variety of entertainment she’s lined up, including African (One Human Race Africa Collective Trio), Middle Eastern and native (Tsatsu Stalqaya – Coastal Wolf Pack) dance groups, and the return of singer Carolyn Neapole. “I just love her voice. She’s very much like Sarah McLachlan, but she has her own unique twist on it.”
The festival and paint off bring awareness of the gallery tucked away next to Deer Lake Park, said Martin, and also create programs for arts in Burnaby in addition to those provided by the gallery’s neighbours at the Burnaby Art Gallery and Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
“Burnaby is huge. Trying to engage four different areas – you’ve got Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed, Edmonds – it’s a large area. We don’t struggle bringing people in; it’s just trying to offer a wide range of cultural activities to the community,” said Martin.
The third annual Summer Arts Festival takes place
Saturday, July 8 at the Deer Lake Gallery.
Event schedule
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Local artist and artisan sale of original artwork in front yard
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – DeSerres children’s art workshop,
inspiration station and face painting
1 to 3 p.m. – Parks Edge Paint Off tournament
3:30 p.m. – Paint Off winner announced
4 p.m. – Paint Off silent auction of works closes
Entertainment
Backyard
1 to 3 p.m. – Ben Lee as DJ BJAM
Front yard
10 to 11 a.m. – Gord Oliver, musician
11 a.m. to noon – One Human Race Africa Collective Trio
Noon to 12:45 p.m. – Coastal Wolf Pack
1 to 2 p.m. – Carolyn Neapole
2 to 3 p.m. – Burnaby Summer Theatre – Wonderland! Driven by Clockwork
3 to 3:30 p.m. – Middle Eastern Folk Dance
3:30 to 4 p.m. – Joel MacKenzie, solo
4 to 4:45 p.m. – Bradlen Barkham and Joel MacKenzie
