Pacific Rim Arts Society (PRAS) has teamed up with Black Rock Oceanfront Resort to revive ArtSplash! after the beloved community event was put on pandemic pause for two years.
ArtSplash! has been the annual art show on the West Coast for over 40 years with dozens of artists from Tofino, Ucluelet and around Vancouver Island showcasing their creations under one giant umbrella.
“We’re really excited to have it back again. It seems like it’s been so long,” said PRAS executive director Kelly Deakin.
“This event has brought visitors back year after year to get a taste of the talented artists from the West Coast and all over Vancouver Island as well as some artists from a little further afar that all have ties to this beautiful area, we call home,” she said, noting that the art ranges from painting to photography to carving, sculptures, pottery, pyrographics, fiber art and more.
ArtSplash! 2022 launches on Friday, March 18 with an opening reception in the Black Rock Rainforest Ballroom.
“We are beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to host ArtSplash! again this year. It’s always been well received by the community and our guests. It’s just another reason to bring them to the hotel,” said Black Rock’s director of sales and marketing Heather Riddick.
Local artists are encouraged to enter the art show, and entry forms are available at Mermaid Tales Bookshop in Tofino or Reflecting Spirit Gallery in Ucluelet. Creators can also stop by the PRAS art space at 250 Main Street in Ucluelet to apply.
“We really would like to see as many artists as possible. Each artist can enter up to three pieces. It’s $20 for one piece, $40 for two and $50 for three. In 2020, we were supposed to be celebrating 50 years of PRAS and we didn’t get to do that because of COVID. That’s why we are offering the $50 for three pieces,” said Deakin.
ArtSplash! is a free, public event that will run daily in the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Ballroom from March 18 to 26. As a non-juried art show, visitors get the opportunity to vote for their favourite pieces in order to bestow the honour of People’s Choice Award on one artist.
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nora.omalley@westerlynews.ca
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