“Grand Prix of Art 2024: Artist’s Guide & Event Highlights”

Attention Grand Prix Artists

Please read through the following carefully.

We are excited to have you join us in Steveston for the 14th annual Grand Prix of Art on July 27.

Introduction to This Year’s Event

Our event sold out more than two months in advance this year with a record number of artists. 150 artists have registered: 45 Masters, 95 Open Category, and 10 Youth. This year, we moved away from managing our event through Eventbrite to allocate those fees directly to the event, celebrating and supporting our local artists.

Instead of Eventbrite, we are using a Google Form to gather information about lunch selections, painting partners, and artist profiles. We are re-sending this form to everyone who hasn’t completed it. If you encounter any issues, please notify us within the week. Check your artist profile on our website to ensure your social media links and other information are accurate. Your randomly selected painting location will be posted on the event day so friends and family can find you.  Event Map

Artisan Market & Exhibition Field:  We have expanded our Artisan Market with more booth space, food trucks, and live music. Many of the booths are interactive and kid-friendly, offering lots of activities for friends and family. Please share the event with your family and on your social channels. Tag the event @grandprixofart, and we will repost when we can. We still have a few spots left for artisans in our “Made by Hand Marketplace” (we do not charge these craftspeople, so it’s an amazing opportunity). If you know unique craftspeople, please have them email grandprixofart@gmail.com.

Event Sponsors: The event is sponsored by the Travelling Brush and hosted by Phoenix Art Workshop and the City of Richmond. We are excited to have the support of our long-time Grand Prix Patron, Maryann Burrows, sponsoring the Adult Open Category. Penta Builders Group is back, sponsoring the exhibition and the People’s Choice Award. Tourism Richmond, Remax, Richmond Rotary Club, and the Steveston Insider are also supporting the event.  The Richmond Photo Club members will document our event, and many volunteers, including those from the Richmond Art Guild and Greater Vancouver Medical Assistance and Services Team, help make this event happen every year. Thank you for your support.

Volunteers: If you have a partner or friend who wants to be closer to the event, have them email grandprixofart@gmail.com, and we will send them a Volunteer form.

Artist Profile Page:  Step One:  complete your Artist Profile Google form.  Once you have completed your form, please check your artist profile online and let us know if any changes are required.

Grand Prix of Art Plein-Air Week, and Sunday Boot Camps:  Free Summer Sunday Session “Plein Air Boot Camps” with Mark Glavina and Guests. Sign up online for more information on these free-to-attend practice sessions. Get ready to hone your skills, unleash your creativity, and meet some of the Masters and other artists participating in this year’s event. You do not need to be registered for the event to join us.

Plein Air Week Kickoff with Zoom: Join us online for a Zoom meeting where artists and volunteers will gather to prepare new attendees and share valuable tips and tricks to ensure everyone has a fantastic experience.  Registered artists and volunteers will be emailed a link for this closer to the date!

• Date: Monday, July 22.   Time: 6:30 pm

Champions Week Workshops: Dive deeper into your artistic journey with our series of four mini workshops led by past Master Champions. Registration is only $49 for each 3.5-hour outdoor workshop.

• Broderick Wong Watercolour Workshop: (2018 Champion)
  • Date: Tuesday, July 23.  Time: 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm
• Mo Khaleel Oil and Acrylic Workshop: (2021 Champion)
  • Date: Wednesday, July 24.   Time: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
• James Koll Watercolour Workshop: (2022 Champion)
  • Date: Thursday, July 25.   Time: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Artist Reception at Phoenix Art Studio: Join us for a casual evening at the studio, where you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine, mingle with fellow artists and instructors, and discuss race day in a relaxed atmosphere.

• Date: Friday, July 26    Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Location: The Studio, 12211 1st Ave. 3rd Floor

Saturday Night Post Event Party at O’Hare’s Pub:

After an exhilarating day, unwind with us at O’Hare’s Pub for a refreshing beverage and lively conversation. It’s the perfect way to recharge and celebrate before an amazing Sunday ahead – all artists and volunteers welcome. Cash bar.

• Date: July 27.   Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Location: 5031 Steveston Hwy, Richmond

 

Event Preparations

Please check our website for the event day schedule, including information about the Artisan Market, Food Trucks, and a list of our musical line-ups. Confirm your profile, social media links, and other details on the 2024 Artist page. If your profile is incomplete, you likely have not filled out the Artist Google form, which we will resend to those who haven’t completed it as yet.  This form is also where you can request to paint with a friend or family member as well as select vegan/gluten free diet option.

The event website is full of information about this year’s event. We recommend you follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share the event with your family and supporters. We will be posting lots of shareable links and featuring some of our Master Artists on our pages, as well as details about social media contests and prize giveaways. This year please use the hashtag #GPA24.  Don’t forget to share the event with family and friends and share the excitement!

Prepare your painting equipment in advance: Get your painting kit, easel, chair, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and reusable water bottle ready well in advance of race day. You can prepare/prime/tone your canvas or paper in advance.  The minimum size is 8×10, and the maximum size is 18×24.

Join us for our free Grand Prix of Art Sunday “BOOT CAMPS”.  This is a great opportunity to meet other artists, get your kit organised, and receive feedback from event founder Mark Glavina and some Master Category painters. Invite a friend or register for one of the Champions Week Mini-Workshops hosted by past Masters winners for expert advice, tips and inspiration.

Preparing Your Painting for Display: Not all artwork needs to be framed, but all must be ready for hanging with a wire. Prepare your canvas or frame with eyelets or d-rings and picture wire. (String or masking tape are not acceptable.) We cannot hang document frames with sawtooth hangers. Paper artworks should be behind glass. For those painting in oils, please inform the volunteer when you submit your work, and they will include a “Wet Paint” sign to prevent damage. All work must be submitted by 2 pm. Artwork tags must include a Title, Medium, Price, and Location Number (do not stick the Artwork Tag to the artwork). A 20% commission is charged on all sold artwork to support the event. The Chinese Bunkhouse will serve as a framing area with volunteers to help with wire, tools, and other hardware. The framing area is very busy, so think ahead and be prepared.

Cancellation: If you cannot attend the event, please let us know as far in advance as possible since we have a waiting list for all categories. Cancellations before July 5th will receive a full refund. Following that date, refunds will not be issued, but please inform us if you cannot attend.

Race Day: Check-In & Beyond:

Time: 8:30am – 9:30 am. Check-in Location: Chinese Bunkhouse at Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site 5180 Westwater Drive, Richmond, BC.

Upon arrival, please proceed to the Chinese Bunkhouse for check-in. Here, you’ll receive your event lanyard, which includes your name badge, artwork tag, lunch ticket, and raffle ticket, along with your designated painting location. We kindly ask that you leave your painting gear in your vehicle until after check-in. For your convenience, please download our Google Event Map for the Grand Prix of Art 2024 and share the map link with your fans. All 40 painting locations are clearly marked with 10×10 tents and numbered location flags, making them easy to find. Your assigned painting location will also be indicated on your event lanyard and on your artist profile on our event website.

For participants requiring special accommodations, such as youth or artists with mobility challenges, painting locations will be allocated at Britannia Heritage Shipyards. Any special needs or mobility issues can be accommodated; please inform us when submitting your Artist Profile Google Form. Coffee and snacks will be available at check-in, as well as a water fill station. If you require assistance getting to your painting location, please contact us in advance at grandprixofart@gmail.com.

We recommend wearing your event lanyard on your back to ensure visibility to spectators and photographers, which can help enhance your sales, social media following, and recognition.

Artists, Start Your Brushes:

The race officially begins at 10:00 am with the sound of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery’s Shift Whistle (or event Air Horn for remote locations). You must commence painting at your assigned location, staying within 25 meters (75 feet) of the numbered flag. Judging will be based on various criteria, including how well you capture the spirit and mood of your location, your handling of your chosen medium (Oil, Pastel, Acrylic, Watercolour, Pencil, Charcoal), as well as your creativity, concept, and composition.  If you arrive at your location early you are permitted to make thumbnail studies, but please refrain from making any marks on your painting surface before the opening horn. Painting locations cover a span of 3 km along Steveston’s Historic waterfront trail, including areas within the village and as far west as Garry Point Park.

End of the Race:

At 1:00 pm the race concludes, and artists must cease painting. Please make your way back to Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site and submit your completed artwork to the exhibition space (Seine Net Loft) before 2 pm. Prior to framing your artwork, take a photo and DM the Grand Prix of Art Instagram and/or Facebook or email grandprixofart@gmail.com with your image for inclusion in our virtual gallery. After photographing your work, complete your artwork tag and raffle ticket, then finish any framing at the Chinese Bunkhouse before dropping off your piece at the Seine Net Loft. Volunteers will be available to assist you as needed. After submitting your artwork and paperwork, enjoy our picnic lunch provided by D’ Original Sausage Haus. Lunch options include Bratwurst in a bun, pulled Pork Sandwich, or Vegan Chili (gluten free). During lunch, artists and volunteers can relax and enjoy the music of Blue Dirt Girl from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Artist Picnic Stage. At 1:50 pm, we will conduct raffle ticket draws between musical sets, followed by the award ceremony at 2:45 pm. After the award ceremony, the Exhibition will be open to the Public.

Raffle Tickets:

Don’t forget to fill out your raffle ticket and place it in one of the event trophies when you drop off your artwork at the exhibition. We’ll be drawing door prizes and gifts before the award ceremony at 2:30 pm.

Sunday Exhibition:

Join us for the Sunday Exhibition and sale at the Seine Net Loft from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Enjoy the delightful tunes of the Murphy Cats Jazz Duo as you peruse the artwork. The closing ceremony, sponsored by Penta Builders Group, will feature the presentation of the People’s Choice Award and the announcement of the winners of our Social Media contests.

People’s Choice Award:

As spectators enter the exhibition space, they’ll receive a ballot (one per person) to vote for their favourite artwork. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday at 3:30 pm, along with the recipients of the social media prizes. Remember, the more friends and family you bring, the more People’s Choice ballots you can collect!

Artwork Sales:

Ensure that your artwork tags are filled out clearly with the artwork title, medium, and price. Artwork is sold as presented, including the frame, so please adjust the price accordingly. Presenting your work professionally not only increases its chances of selling but also enhances its value. Price your work competitively, but remember not to undersell your talent. Over the years, we’ve fostered an environment that encourages sales. If someone expresses interest in your work while you’re painting on location, refer them to the exhibition space at 3:00 pm for sales on a first-come, first-served basis.

Artwork Pick-Up:

Artists who sell their artwork will be notified by phone at the number provided on their Google form in advance of our closing awards, including the People’s Choice Award at 3:45 pm. Both sold and unsold artwork can be picked up immediately following the closing awards and recognitions. Artwork revenue will be transferred to artists within two weeks using the email provided in your artist form. Alternatively, cheques may be collected at Phoenix Art Workshop. Unless previous arrangements have been made, all unclaimed artwork will be donated. If you designate someone else to pick up your unsold work, please be sure to advise the staff at the exhibition area when you drop off your piece.

Instagram Contest:

Participate in our Instagram contest by posting your event photo to your social channels and tagging @grandprixofart with #gpa2024. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Photo, Best Selfie, Best Story, and Best Event Post.

Good luck to all the artists, and thank you for joining us for the Grand Prix of Art in Steveston! We are all in this together to share the love of outdoor painting, meet new artists, and have fun!

Mark Glavina

Event Founder