It was Lister Sinclair, a Canadian broadcaster and playwright, who said, "Art pulls a community together... art makes you feel differently. That's what artists are doing all the time, shifting and changing the way you see life."
For 35 years, the Art Gallery Paint-In has been demonstrating just what kind of community art can pull in when one of Victoria's biggest art galleries and a bunch of artists come together.
Produced by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and presented by TD Bank Group, the free art walk filled Moss Street across 10 blocks – from Fort Street to Dallas Road – with more than 160 participating artists and their artworks. One of the largest art festivals of its kind in Canada, the event drew in over 40,000 attendees this year, estimated Nancy Noble, director and CEO of AGGV, after the event.
"It's hard to estimate, but I think many people who have been around for a long time said it was the biggest Paint-In they've ever seen," said Noble, who added they've made an effort to make it more family-friendly, increase the entertainment, and emphasize AGGV's expertise in art education with Imagination Stations for families over the last few years.
This year's Paint In on Saturday (July 20) stretched beyond visual arts. There were ceramics, live painting demos, jewelry, a family-friendly beverage garden and a stage with live performances by the Lekwungen Dancers, Sizzlers Fiddle Group, Folklorico Latina and more.
Due to its scope and draw as a tourist attraction, Noble said it's one of those places where you never know who you'll bump into.
"I'm from the prairies and I've actually met people at Paint-In that I haven't seen in 30 or 40 years," she said laughing.
Artist Carole Finn, who had a booth, said she appreciated the sense of community the event generates.
"The event is a fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and I'm here to support it," said Finn at the event. "I'm meeting lots of wonderful, beautiful people."
Paint-In during its earlier years emphasized people painting on the street, whereas it has since grown to also focus on selling art, said Noble.
At its heart, the event has stayed true to its values of community and celebrating art's beauty, whether that be through meeting local artists to talk about their work or showing appreciation for the incredible talent that Vancouver Island offers.
