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Everyone has invitation to Victoria’s biggest art party, Paint-In on Moss Street

There is something for everyone, including four-legged visitors, at the TD Art Gallery Paint-In, Saturday, July 20, 2019, on Moss Street.
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The TD Art Gallery Paint-In, taking place Saturday on Moss Street, attracts thousands of people who can view the work of the region's artists and enjoy food and drink along the way.

There is something for everyone, including four-legged visitors, at the TD Art Gallery Paint-In, Saturday, July 20, 2019, on Moss Street.

The event, in its 32nd year, is the biggest art party of the year, with more than 190 artists displaying or demonstrating their skills in the fresh air.

The free event typically draws more than 30,000 people to Moss Street from Fort Street to Dallas Road.

“The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is a day-long celebration of Vancouver Island art and artists,” said Jon Tupper, director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. “We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of people from across the region to our neighbourhood, where we plan to bring art to the community for decades to come.”

Apart from the exposure for the artists, the event is one of the most important fundraisers of the year for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Even the pets are well looked after, with doggy drink stations along the route. There is also a chance for them to unleash their inner artist at the Creative Pet Station. People inspired by all the creative energy around them might be inspired to stop at eight hands-on Imagination Stations.

“The event allows artists to share their craft — and to bring the studio to the street,” said Julia Pauselius, the gallery’s events co-ordinator. “But we also remind artists to share their creative process and to make it playful.”

The Paint-In offers an opportunity for artists to engage with people who might be intimidated to enter a gallery to see art because of the perception that it is too expensive, Tauselius said.

Art schools and arts groups have been invited to show their creativity at the Paint-In.

There is also the promise of food and drink along the street, with nine food vendors as well as a family- (and dog-) friendly beer garden offering local beer, wine, cider and pop.

Performers on stage at the beer garden (outside the art gallery) include Oscar and Arlene Steel Pan, indie-folk artist Steph MacPherson, Corduroy, Pastel Blank and Bridal Party. The beer garden is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is at the north end of Moss Street, near the intersection with Fort Street. It is open to the public. The gallery’s current exhibitions include Unformable Things: Emily Carr and Some Canadian Modernists.

Its Massey Sales Gallery is hosting a Summer Small Works Show and Sale, at which you can buy affordable original art by local artists.

Donations received at the gallery and on Moss Street throughout the day go toward the costs of the event as well as supporting the gallery’s educational programs.

The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is free to attend. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on Moss Street from Fort Street to Dallas Road. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St., is open by donation from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Moss Street will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with no parking on the street during the event. Organizers encourage visitors to take the bus, walk or bike. Bike parking is available at Central Middle School on Fort Street.

For more information, go to aggv.ca.

parrais@timescolonist.com