Art in the Park will be back July 27 and 28 during this year’s Beachfest and there are still spaces for local artists.
In an ongoing effort to give tourists and residents as many things to do during the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition, organizers are highlighting their complimentary events in the Parksville’s famous Community Park on the beach.
The third annual Art in the Park craft and art fair has 75 spaces, a number of which are still available, but they are looking for specific artisans and artists said Beachfest manager Trish Smith.
The fair is juried to make sure they have an appropriate balance of art and craft styles and don’t end up with a bunch of the same thing, Smith said specifically calling on local artists like painters and sculptors to apply.
She pointed out the region has a large number of talented artists and while they want to include the widest possible sample of arts and crafts it is also a priority to showcase as much local talent as they can and promote local business.
Smith said that while the world class sand sculpting of Canada’s only qualifier for the world championships in Atlantic City attracts over 90,000 people each year, they want to make sure locals understand there are many added value events for people familiar with Beachfest.
The sand sculpting exhibition runs from July 13 to Aug. 18 with the Summer Conncert Series running 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night, the Summer by the Sea Street Market every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and events most weekends including the Lions International Kite Festival (July 20-21), an amateur competition (Aug. 3), the Oceanside Overdrive Car Show (Aug. 4) and KidFest and the Quality Foods children’s sandcastle competition (Aug. 17-18).
Art in the Park runs 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. For more information or to sign up check www.parksvillebeachfest.ca.