The South Delta Artists Guild has added a new colour to its palette for this year's Oil and Water competition.
A first-ever collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Artists has helped draw a record-breaking number of entries from 133 artists in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.
Oil and Water was the brainchild of respected and popular artist Faith Love-Robertson who answered the need for a juried art show during her presidency of the guild in 2004.
The annual competition, open to any visual artist, has consistently presented outstanding art for public viewing and purchase, since every painting hung must be for sale.
This year marks Oil and Water No. 10, and like its predecessors, will be shown by the South Delta Artists Guild in the Tsawwassen Longhouse Gallery of the Kiwanis Longhouse, which has been the home of the guild since 1999. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, July 25.
The Federation of Canadian Artists, like the South Delta Artists Guild, is a not-forprofit society dedicated to raising artistic standards. It was founded in 1941 by Canadian artists, including famed Group of Seven leader Lawren Harris.
With 11 chapters and more than 2,000 members nationwide and abroad, the
FCA offers a rich and diverse program of instruction and opportunity through four
distinct memberships. Oil and Water has been accepted as a qualifying exhibition for the Federation of Canadian Artists Signature Status application, which means work accepted can be counted towards the artist's status application.
Three Federation of Canadian Artists Senior Signature members have been appointed judges.
They are Michael Abraham, Marney Rose Edge and Jennifer Harwood, all of whom count guild membership in their artistic experience.
Preliminary judging is done by viewing the art digitally and anonymously. Final winners will be chosen from the accepted paintings hung in the gallery just before the exhibition opens.
As a non-profit society, the South Delta Artists Guild is dependent on local donors for awards, and this year they have again responded generously. Among these, the Orlitzky family of Tsawwassen has donated $1,000 as a Best of Show prize, plus $500 towards costs.
The opening reception, which will include the presentation of awards, is scheduled for Thursday, July 25, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The exhibition and sale of art will run through to Aug. 24, Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a late opening on Thursdays to 8 p.m. The Kiwanis Longhouse is adjacent to the South Delta Recreation Centre.
