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enowned Errington artist can add one more accolade to the list of accomplishments surrounding his outdoor-inspired pastel paintings.
The first place trophy at the Steveston Grand Prix of Art this year has been rededicated as the ‘Gray Cup’ after artist Dan Gray.
The local painter was the inaugural winner from 2010, for his dedication to plein air painting in British Columbia. Plein air is a French expression which means “in the open air” and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. The Gray Cup trophy was given to the winner of the Steveston plein air event modeled after the Grand Prix d’ Art held in Qualicum Beach.
Gray is the originator of The Old School House (TOSH) Grand Prix d’Art painting race that is the highlight of the Qualicum Beach summer calendar.
65 artists competed on September 17, painting along the waterfront and downtown Steveston in the Lower Mainland. The winner for 2011 was Kerry Erickson.
Plans for next year include a circuit of events on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland with the trophy to go to the champion determined by a point system.
Gray currently has an exhibit of pastels painted plein air during the 2011 Herring Spawn on now until October 8 at TOSH.
reporter@pqbnews.com