A virtual tour of artists’ studios dubbed the Artists Guide launches Saturday, replacing the TD Art Gallery Paint-In, an annual celebration of Vancouver Island art and artists — and a major fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
This would have been the 33rd year of the Paint-In, an-open air community outreach initiative that started with a small group of artists gathered on the parking lot of the art gallery.
In the years since it launched, it has grown to more than 100 professional and emerging local artists, who line both sides of 10 blocks of Moss Street every third Saturday in July.
The popular event would typically attract up to 35,000 art lovers, who could meet artists and view their work and techniques.
With public gatherings restricted due to concerns around the spread of COVID-19, organizers have pivoted to a new online format.
“Although we are unable to bring the community to artists on Moss Street, we will instead bring the artists to the community — virtually,” said Jon Tupper, director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
“The Artists Guide will be similar to the Paint-In, with a visitor experience akin to taking a tour of the artist’s studio.”
He said that the silver lining is that unlike the Paint-In, when a year’s worth of preparation lasts for only a day, the Artists Guide will run from July 18 to Sept. 1 and reach a broader audience.
The hope is that people will visit the site and purchase art from the artists, who depend on the sales for their livelihood.
The creation of the Artists Guide is appreciated, said artist Timothy Wilson Hoey, who specializes in painting Canadians and Canadiana.
“For some artists, especially those who are new and up-and-coming, being in the Paint-In is an important event,” he said. “I have met people months after the event who say: ‘I saw you at the Moss Street Paint-In’.”
While he recognizes the lengths the art gallery has gone to ensure artists continue to get exposure, he worries about them as well.
“My heart breaks for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. The cancellation of the Paint-In is a double whammy for them,” said Hoey, who specializes in painting Canadians and Canadiana.
“The Artists Guide is certainly different from what they usually do. My concern is that they are putting resources into an initiative to which they are not getting anything for.”
He recommends people donate or take out a membership to support the gallery.
The virtual tours are free and will be available here starting Saturday.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria will also be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by donation for its Annual Open House. The current exhibition is Celebrating the AGGV Collection, installations of Canadian historical and contemporary art joined by a gallery of new acquisitions in Asian art.
The gallery is at 1040 Moss St. For more information, go to aggv.ca.
