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Explore: Fine art goes on show in Sooke

Work by unknown artists sits side-by-side with that of well-known names at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, which starts Friday and runs until Aug. 6 at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke.
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A volunteer adjusts lighting at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex for a previous Sooke Fine Arts Show. Up to 8,500 visitors are expected over 11 days for this yearÕs show.

Work by unknown artists sits side-by-side with that of well-known names at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, which starts Friday and runs until Aug. 6 at the SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke.

The jury process is anonymous, making all pieces submitted appraised on the work itself, so famous signatures cannot skew the jurors’ weightings.

Contributing artists are exclusively from the islands on B.C.’s West Coast, including Haida Gwaii.

The three jurors — Nick Bantock, Wendy Welch and Lee Grass — have considered more than 1,500 pieces submitted for consideration, winnowing it down to just over 380 works to be exhibited at the show. Don’t expect to see many of the artworks in a commercial gallery. While there is no theme to the show, a large number of the successful pieces have a marine theme this year.

“We have a large number of oceans-related pieces,” said Christa Brenan, executive director of the Sooke Fine Arts Society, the host of the show. “They are all emotive — some are moody, others are bright. They capture a place and time in current history.”

Among them is a 160-kilogram octopus carved by Chemainus artist Daniel Cline out of marble. It has a list price of $12,500.

Up to 8,500 art lovers are expected over the 11 days of the show, for which 300 volunteers have converted the community hockey rink into a giant art salon.

Media represented include paintings, prints, sculptures, ceramics, glasswork, fibre art, jewelry and photography. The works displayed are all for sale.

It’s more than just an art show. There is Artz4Kids and Artz4Youth, a senior’s tea, artists demonstrations and lectures, a music program and a docent tour, mostly as part of admission.

Daily admission is $10 for adults, $8 for youth and seniors and free for children 12 and under. An 11-day pass is $20. Admission is $5 on Aug. 2 after 5 p.m. SEAPARC Leisure Complex is at 2168 Phillips Rd. For more details, go to sookefinearts.com.

• The Stinking Fish Studio Tour, a self-guided tour of artists’ studios in Metchosin and East Sooke, takes place Friday to Tuesday.

You can visit every artist in one day or take up to five days to discover them. The artists are juried by peer professionals.

The self-guided tour gives you access to studios and workshops of six regular and three guest artists living and working in the region. Media include metalwork, woodworking, oil, paintings, pottery, fibre art, metal sculptures and jewelry.

You can watch artists create works. The Stinking Fish Studio Tour and Art Sale is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is no cost to tour the studios.

Brochures with a map showing the location of the studios are available at various locations around Victoria and the West Shore or online at stinkingfishstudiotour.com.

Exotic vehicles on grid at Oak Bay car show

See high-end exotic cars, along with many ordinary, less-than-perfect vehicles at the Oak Bay Collector Car Festival, Sunday along Oak Bay Avenue.

This is the first time in the show’s 18-year history that there has been an exotic car section.

Thanks to Carlton House, the section will boast more than 24 Aston Martins, eight Mercedes-Benzes from Portland and Seattle, two McLarens, a Ford GT-40 race car, a new Maserati and about 20 other exotic vehicles.

“We have been told that this is likely the largest gathering of Aston Martins ever assembled in Western Canada,” said Ken Agate, the show organizer.

While the exotics are likely to attract the most attention from more than 15,000 spectators, they will be in the minority of the vehicles.

Unlike traditional car shows, the Oak Bay Collector Car Festival is not about perfection. Instead, it's an opportunity to see less-than-perfect vehicles and ones usually hidden away in local garages. “It doesn’t matter if they are less than shiny,” Agate said.

Recently restored vehicles will sit side by side with cars in original condition and others in various stages of restoration.

The festival welcomes all makes and models, with up to 300 vehicles expected.

Several car clubs in the region will attend and there will be a strong showing of electric cars by their owners.

This being Oak Bay, a strong showing of classic British and European cars is expected.

They will all be placed together along the Penny Farthing pub block, including a new and vintage Lotus.

This year, students of the automotive trades at Victoria High School will also be in attendance, with one or two of the cars they have restored at the school’s shop.

Live music will be supplied by Bayou De Byou, a local group playing the sounds of Louisiana and Texas from 11:30 a.m.

A prime rib barbecue will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Oak Bay municipal hall.

Spectator admission to the festival is free, with show-car registration $15.

The event runs from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oak Bay Avenue, between Monterey Avenue and Mitchell Street.

For more information, email Agate at kenagate@hotmail.com or telephone 250-896-9000.

Take to sky at museum’s open house

B.C. Aviation Museum is welcoming visitors to an open house at its facilities near Victoria International Airport on Saturday.

At the family-friendly event, visitors can see what’s new among the museum’s exhibits. As part of this year’s planned activities include the induction of Allan (Duncan) Bell-Irving and Okanagan Helicopters into the museum’s Hall of Fame.

Activities for children include a kids’ Pooh Bear corner.

Members of local military re-enactor clubs will be in attendance, along with vintage military vehicles.

The Sidney Lions Club and Mama Rosie’s Food Truck will offer refreshments.

Visitors can touch the sky through $40 Discovery Flights with the Victoria Flying Club.

In the evening, the museum will host the Big Band Hangar Dinner and Dance.

Admission is by donation for the open house, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The induction ceremony starts at noon. The museum is at 1910 Norseman Rd., North Saanich.

Expanded parking will be available nearby at the Rotary Park Field of Dreams on Canora Road, with a shuttle service to the museum. For more information, go to bcam.net.

Broadmead centre hosts Japan Fest

Taste the sights, sounds and cuisine of the Orient at Japan Fest, a midsummer Japanese cultural festival at Broadmead Village Shopping Centre, 777 Royal Oak Dr., on Saturday.

Enjoy drumming by Uminari Taiko, dancing by the Furusato Dancers and Japanese food.

The event is hosted by the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society in collaboration with Fudo Japanese Restaurant.

The restaurant will offer a special snack menu that includes a California roll, yam tempura roll and tori karaage — marinated fried chicken — for $6.

The festival runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is free to attend. For information, go to vncs.ca.

Put on your dancing shoes for Victoria Flamenco Festival

Experience the bold and haunting rhythms of the music of southern Spain at the Victoria Flamenco Festival, today until Sunday at venues throughout Victoria.

Flamenco artists from across North America will be in town to perform the passionate sights and sounds of the region. Musicians, dancers, singers and guitarists will bring their fiery art form to the stage.

There are free and ticketed events at the festival. Tonight is Guitar Night, 8 p.m. at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Tickets are $30 at the door. Liminal is staged at 8 p.m. Saturday at Metro Studio Theatre. Tickets are $30/ $25 for members.

Free events include a noon show at Centennial Square on Friday. It is followed by Flamenco in the Park, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park.

The main event of the festival is the Flamenco Festival, from noon to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Centennial Square.

The event is hosted by Flamenco de la Isla. For information, see victoriaflamencofestival.com.