Information for Artists
The Call to Artists is now open
Call to Artists 2023: March 15 – June 1.
All submitting artists are required to read the updated show guidelines each year. The Submission Guidelines outline the requirements for entry. The Exhibition & Gift Shop Guidelines provide information on what is required once artwork has been adjudicated into the show.
PLEASE NOTE: The 2023 Gift Shop Guidelines are currently being updated for the 2023 year and will be available in May.
About Submitting
All artwork submitted to SFAS must be of a high calibre and display a good understanding of the chosen medium. Artwork must be the original creation of the artist with an emphasis on technical ability as well as artistic accomplishment. Each year SFAS strives to produce a fresh, original show. Work that is inventive, displays creativity and shows a fresh perspective is encouraged.
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General Guidelines
SHOW OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA
The show welcomes artists resident (full-time and part-time) on any of BC’s coastal islands, including Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii. Between 375-380 pieces in a variety of mediums will be chosen by our jurors for exhibition.
All artwork must be of a high calibre and display a good understanding of the chosen medium. Artwork must be the *original creation of the artist, with an emphasis on technical ability as well as artistic accomplishment. Work that is inventive, displays creativity and shows fresh perspective is encouraged.
MEDIA CATEGORIES
All artwork submitted will be categorized according to the medium for the jurors’ review. The volunteer SFAS Adjudication Committee has the final authority as to which category work is most suited.
- 2D – Includes all media (excluding Photography – see below) on board, canvas or paper, excluding giclée reproductions, which are not accepted.
- 3D Sculpture – Three dimensional, functional or sculptural work of any material(s), excluding clay or glass (see below).
- Photography – Categorized by type of archival print process used i.e: either Traditional Archival Print (silver gelatine) or Digital Archival Print. Photographs are only accepted as limited edition prints, restricted to runs of 25 or less, and upon acceptance, accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity specifying each print’s limited edition number. Traditional photographic and digital images that have been altered via digital software or other means must state “creatively altered”. Artists can only alter their own original photographs.
- Jewellery – Artists must indicate hand-fabricated materials in the “medium and substrate” field of the online submission form.
- Ceramic – Functional or sculptural work where the primary material is clay.
- Glass – Functional and sculptural work where the primary material is glass that has been hand-formed, handworked, handblown or hand-cast.
- Fibre – Wall hangings, quilts, rugs, wearable work etc., where the primary material is fibre.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SUBMITTING ARTISTS
- Online submission: March 15 – June 1, 2023
- Submission fees received by: June 1, 2023
- Notification of accepted art: June 15, 2023
- Drop-off of accepted art: July 15, 2023
- Pickup of unsold art: August 8, 2023
- Show dates: July 28 – Aug 7, 2023
*NOTE: SFAS Support for submissions will not be available after 4:00pm on the last day. Online submissions will, however, remain open until midnight. The deadline is final. Late image submissions will not be accepted.
ARTWORK: REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY
- Up to three pieces per artist may be submitted. (Diptychs or triptychs are considered one piece). Submission fees are $15 per piece and are not refundable after submissions have closed.
- Artwork must be the original creation of the artist. See “Information on Copyright for the Artist” below.
- Maximum size for 2D artwork (including diptychs and triptychs) is 7’ 6” x 7’ 6” (228cm x 228cm). For 3D works, a maximum of 9’ 0” (108” or 274cm) in height applies.
- Artwork must be completed in the last 18 months, and not have been shown locally in another major, juried art show on BC’s Coastal Islands.
- The Sooke Fine Arts show is both an exhibition and a sale. Artwork must be available for sale at a fair market price (minimum price $350).
- Limited Editions: photographic prints and 3-D cast work (from artist’s originals) are accepted for adjudication in limited editions of not more than 25. Such work must be annotated with the limited edition number, run and process i.e. 2/25, silver gelatine/bronze/cold cast bronze, etc. and must be accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity upon delivery (i.e it is not required at the submission stage). This also applies to work created on a 3-D printer (see computer-generated note below). A piece from a limited edition run will be accepted once for showing at any Sooke Fine Arts Show.
- Hand-pulled engravings, lithographs, and etchings are accepted for adjudication, in limited editions of not more than 30, accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity upon delivery.
- Computer-generated artwork must be entirely original and/or created from the artist’s original work. Such work should be entered under the 2D category. Artwork that has been substantially generated by an AI art generator is not eligible. Artists considering using an AI art generator in their work should contact the SFAS office prior to submission to discuss potential eligibility issues.
- The Sooke Fine Arts Show respects the cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is requested that artists’ work be culturally appropriate in its content and that artists are authorized to use and can provide proof of permission to use Indigenous motifs/designs in their work.
- Reproductions and copies of 2D work (such as giclées/inkjet/archival ink) will not be accepted for adjudication.
- Work created within workshops/classrooms will not be accepted for adjudication.
- Substitutions for or changes to the submitted artwork will not be accepted. No exceptions.
COPYRIGHT GUIDELINES
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Artists must ensure that their work does not infringe on any copyright. Artwork derived from the work of another artist is not permissible.
All artists should familiarize themselves with Canadian copyright laws. See Information on Copyright for the Artist for more details. If you are still unsure whether or not your work would be eligible, please email the SFAS office well in advance of the submission deadline.
The Sooke Fine Arts Society retains the right to remove any artwork from adjudication that may contravene copyright laws or show standards. The SFAS also retains the right to refuse eligibility for any artist that has violated or not adhered to SFAS guidelines.
SUBMISSION IMAGES
Image quality:
- Use plain or neutral backgrounds.
- Must be clearly focused, well-lit and properly exposed.
- Artists may be asked to submit new pictures if images are of poor quality.
- All images MUST give as close a representation of the work as possible in terms of colour and detail. Artwork that does not conform to the submission image may be refused.
- When possible, please obscure visible signatures on artwork, as jurying is done anonymously.
- It is preferred that frames not be included in submission images.
Re images:
- Up to two (2) images can be submitted for 2D, Photography, Fibre, Jewellery
- Up to three (3) images can be submitted for 3D and Glass/Ceramic
- The first image should be the main image that shows the full piece.
- The 2nd image should be used to show detail.
- It is recommended to include something for scale in one of the 3D images.
- For diptychs & triptychs, etc: The first image should show the whole piece, and the 2nd & 3rd images show detail.
Image specifications:
- At least 1500 pixels on one side
- Maximum 4MB
- In jpg/jpeg format
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION
Contact Information: Artist’s name, telephone number, and email . Please enter carefully and check for accuracy – especially emails.
Artist Biography: A brief description (max 200 words) of the artist’s training and experience. This is gathered in advance for online viewing in the event that a piece is accepted. It is not made visible to the jurors. It is recommended that artists prepare this in advance and paste it into the field. Formatting is not retained.
Title: The title of the piece.
Category: see Media Categories above. SFAS may re-categorize artwork prior to adjudication.
Medium and Substrate: a brief explanation of the techniques and primary artistic materials (i.e. oil, acrylic, watercolour, ceramic, glass, gold leaf, sterling silver, etc.) and the substrate or base materials, if any (i.e. canvas, steel, wood panel, rice paper, silk, etc.). * For Jewellery, artists must indicate all hand-fabricated materials. ** For Photography, artists must include: the type of archival print process used (only archival prints are accepted) plus the number and limited edition run (i.e. 3/25) along with any development/printing techniques (i.e. platinum print, Chromogenic, Daguerreotypes, etc) and creative alterations. For creatively altered photographs, artists must advise how their artwork was altered, i.e. whether digitally altered, used as a base/foundation, etc.
Contains Indigenous Motifs: This checkbox is in accordance with our policy on respecting the cultural rights of Indigenous Peoples. Artists should only check the box if they have used Indigenous motifis in their work and have the right and/or permission to do so.
Finished Dimensions: Measurements of the finished artwork in inches, in two or three dimensions, as appropriate.
Price: The sale price of the artwork at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, with a minimum of $350. All artwork submitted will be for sale. Artists are asked to consider the following when setting their price:
- Cost of materials
- Originality/uniqueness of the concept
- Creative time invested
- Framing /presentation costs
- Submission and exhibition fees
- 30% commission fee
Optional Description: A brief description (max 75 words) of the artist’s process, technique, inspiration, background, etc to engage jurors and create a positive connection with the artwork. The description should be presentation-ready, as it will be displayed online if the piece is accepted. For more information on writing an effective description, please refer to our FAQ.
Note: The optional description is not seen on the art label if the piece is chosen for the exhibition. If accepted, more information about a piece can be included in the artist’s biography.
PLEASE NOTE:
- There will not be any opportunity to make changes to submitted entries after June 1, 2023.
- Please keep in mind that the finishing and framing of your artwork is an important part of the overall presentation of your piece.
- Artists wishing to know the artwork presentation requirements for the 2023 show should refer to the SFAS 2023 Exhibition Guidelines.
- A Submission Requirements Checklist is provided on our website to help artists ensure all requirements for submission have been met.
Jury
An independent panel of three jurors is selected each year to review submissions and select pieces to be exhibited in the Sooke Fine Arts Show. Jurors are professionals in their fields, and may include curators, gallery owners, educators and established artists. The jurying process is anonymous. Jurors see submission images, titles, medium, substrate, piece size, and optional description and submissions are displayed in random order.
ACCEPTANCE
Artists will be notified by email June 15, 2023 once jurying is complete. Please add “[email protected]” to your known sender list to ensure the email is not flagged as spam. The list of accepted artists will also be available online by 5pm on June 15.
Artwork not selected in a given year, if created within the 18-month time limit, can be submitted again the following year for evaluation by the new panel of jurors.
Jurors are not able to provide feedback on why a submission was not accepted.
AWARDS
Awards will be presented at the Artists Celebration (except for People’s Choice Award and the Children’s Choice Award, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the Show).
Awards of Excellence (eight awards) | ………… | $1000 each |
Juror’s Choice (three awards) | ………… | $500 each |
Designers’ Choice Award | ………… | $500 |
Jan Johnson Memorial Award for Social Commentary | ………… | $500 |
District of Sooke Award | ………… | $500 |
People’s Choice Award | ………… | $500 |
Children’s Choice Award | ………… | $250 |
Honourable Mentions (five awards) | ………… | $250 each |

Download Submission Requirement Checklist
Submitting Your Artwork
The Call to Artists for the 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show opens March 15, and closes midnight June 1, 2023. If you would you like to receive artist-specific updates about the show, you can subscribe to our artist database. (If you already receive emails from us about our Artist Calls, you’re already on this list!)

Jury
Meet the 2023 Jurors

DAVID MACWILLIAM
David MacWilliam is a Canadian artist, educator, writer and curator. For over 40 years, his broad art practice has produced exhibitions, books, essays and curatorial projects. Born in Halifax, and raised in Victoria, MacWilliam received a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and an MA in Visual Arts from University of the Arts London. His paintings have been exhibited both locally and internationally in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and he has curated and co-curated several exhibitions throughout Vancouver and the lower mainland. MacWilliam is a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and a Professor Emeritus in the Audain Faculty of Art at Emily Carr University of Art + Design where he taught from 1988 to 2017.

KATHLEEN PRINCE
While attaining her B.A. (Hons) and M.A. degrees in History in Art from the University of Victoria, Kathleen completed a Graduate Internship at the Maltwood Art Museum & Gallery. She later worked at the Legacy Art Gallery and volunteered at the Royal BC Museum and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Raised in Oak Bay, Kathleen joined The Avenue Gallery in 2014 where she has developed meaningful connections with clients and artists alike. In January 2022, Kathleen was appointed Gallery Manager. Inspired by diverse work and emerging artists, Kathleen’s passion for contemporary, Canadian fine art is her driving force. Kathleen is grateful for her home on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen speaking peoples on beautiful Vancouver Island.

MIKE SVOB
Mike Svob is an award-winning artist and leading workshop instructor, who has spent his 40-year artistic career mastering watercolours, acrylics and oils. Having studied at the University of Western Ontario and served as a past president of the Federation of Canadian Artists, he now juries each year for large and small art organizations throughout Canada and the US. Mike has had over 75 exhibitions and has produced 25 large scale murals and installations, and his paintings are held in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the world. His work and teaching methods have also been included in several art books and featured in many art publications. Mike’s passion for art, history and travel continue to provide inspiring and diverse subject matter for his work.
Gift Shop – For Artists
The Gallery Gift Shop was established to allow artists greater public exposure and increased sales of their work. Artists exhibiting in the show are invited and encouraged to sell additional artwork in the show’s Gallery Gift Shop. The wide range of reasonably priced smaller artworks & art cards in the Gift Shop makes it possible for visitors to take home a wonderful, unique piece of island art.
All Gift Shop items are to be delivered on Art Drop-off day (July 15, 2023), at the same time as the art for the main gallery. All exhibiting artists will be contacted separately by a member of the Gift Shop team.
To prepare items for the Gift Shop, each exhibiting artist needs to:
- Read the 2023 Gift Shop Guidelines (stay tuned!)
- Find their unique Gift Shop number
- Complete a Gift Shop Inventory form

Artist Fees
Artists are required to pay a Submission Fee for each submitted piece and an Exhibition Fee for each accepted piece.
Submission Fees
All submitting artists are required to pay a submission fee of $15/piece upon completion of their submission via the online system. All submission fees are due by midnight,
June 1 , 2023 – no exceptions.
Submission Fee payments can be made via the following methods:
- Via the online submission system following submission completion – using PayPal – (main method) – no PayPal account required
- Over the Phone with a Credit Card:
Please email the SFAS main office to request payment by phone (Mon-Fri, 9:30am – 4:30pm). (Visa or Mastercard accepted) - E-transfer to [email protected]
- Cheque or Money Order:
Payable to “Sooke Fine Arts Society” and mailed to: P.O Box 471, Sooke, B.C, V9Z 1H4. Payment must arrive prior to June 1, 2023.
Notification of acceptance for the 2023 Show will be sent out via the submission system on June 15, 2023. The list of exhibiting artists will also be available here on our website.
exhibition Fees
All accepted artists are required to pay an exhibition fee of $40/piece upon acceptance. All exhibition fees are due by June 29, 2023 – no exceptions.
Exhibition Fee payments can be made via the following methods:
- Via the Exhibition Registration Form – link provided upon acceptance – using PayPal – (main method) – no PayPal account required
- Over the Phone with a Credit Card:
Please email the SFAS main office to request payment by phone (Mon-Fri, 9:30am – 4:30pm). (Visa or Mastercard accepted) - E-transfer to [email protected]
- Cheque or Money Order:
Payable to “Sooke Fine Arts Society” and mailed to: P.O Box 471, Sooke, B.C, V9Z 1H4. Payment must arrive prior to June 29, 2023.
Information on Copyright for the Artist
SFAS supports the rights of artists and requires that all submitted artwork be the original creation of the submitting artist. It is incumbent on all artists to familiarize themselves with Canadian copyright laws to ensure that they are not infringing on another artist’s rights.
Photographing Your Artwork
Artists may find the following guides helpful in photographing their artwork for digital submission to the Sooke Fine Arts Show. These are intended as guidelines only and may contain useful information for both professional and amateur photographers to photograph artwork of various types effectively. The resulting images can be used for a wide range of applications, including website display, promotional materials, and art show submissions.
A Simple Guide to Photographing Your Artwork – available for download in pdf format; a simple guide for inexperienced photographers to produce clear and representative images of their artwork.
Sooke Fine Arts Workshop Video Guide – a video version of the 2012 workshops held in Colwood and Sooke. This video guide may be helpful to amateur photographers in producing clear and representative images of their artwork.
Scanning 2D Artwork
2D artwork may also be scanned, a cost-effective way to obtain a high-quality digital image. For images to be submitted to the show that will not be printed, the scan need only be “web-ready”.
Higher-quality printable scans are also available to artists who wish to submit their work to the show and obtain a print-ready digital image for producing prints or giclee of their work. Please note that it is not permissible to submit a print or giclee of a painted piece.
Many photo shops, print shops as well as fine art printing offer scanning of 2D artwork. Some will also include touch-ups and adjustments to the digital image. Island Blue Print Co offers untouched scans of flat 2D artwork up to 36″ wide; for bulkier 2D artwork, maximum dimensions are 18″ x 24″ (locations in Victoria and Sidney). Spectrum Digital in Sooke also offers a variety of printing services.
Guidelines for Proper Hanging
The presentation of your artwork is as important as your art. It is an integral part of its design. Exhibiting 2D artists must ensure that artwork adheres to the following requirements:
PDF – SFAS Hanging Guidelines

Location
2168 Phillips Rd
Box 471
Sooke, BC
V9Z 1H4
Canada
The Sooke Fine Arts Society respectfully acknowledges the territory of the T’Sou-ke First Nation, upon whose land we gather in celebration of the arts.
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