The Quesnel and District Community Arts Council (QDAC) is hosting its first ever Paint and Sketch Competition this weekend on Saturday April 6.
Event coordinator and volunteer Kelly Phillips is running the event, which so far has had approximately 20 artists sign up to compete.
The competition, which is intended to showcase local artists, will see the artists painting (or sketching) for 30 minutes in the first round, before the works of art are voted on by the audience, which will determine which artists move on to the final round. This will repeat twice before the fourth and final round.
Artists will each bring two completed works to the competition to be displayed on the walls and to be bid on in a silent auction throughout the night. The works created in the competition will also be included in the auction. All proceeds from the auction will go back to the artist.
There will be beer and wine served to the adult spectators while children will have the option to drink juice.
Phillips came up with the idea for the event after seeing a similar competition in Prince George. When she approached the art council about hosting one in Quesnel, they gave her the go ahead.
There will also be a DJ playing music at the event.
Phillips says the competitors all seem very excited — and inspired to get practising and work on their art.
“You really get them to want to do the art itself, it’s like, you get them going again,” says Phillips. “Like some of them are like ‘I haven’t done that for years, I gotta join!’ So it’s been inspiring.”
The competition is open to artists age 12 and up, who must be able to bring two of their own canvases, their own paints and brushes. The only limitations are that competitors are not allowed to use spray paint or oil paints.
Any artists who want to participate can contact Phillips at 250-983-9412 as soon as possible. She says many have already begun practising for the competition.
Phillips is hoping to have an audience of about 200 people at the event, which starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 in the West Fraser Timber Room at the Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre.
Heather Norman
Community Reporter
Send Heather an email
Like the Quesnel Cariboo Observer on Facebook