Ucluelet's Art Splash!
Emma Paveley in studio with wave painting “Green Colossus” 60” x 40”
Ucluelet's Art Splash- A West Coast Art Show you won’t want to miss!
Each year in March the Pacific Rim Arts Society (PRAS) coordinates the largest non-juried Art show on the West Coast. This event is held at the stunning Ocean Front Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet BC.
Traditionally the Art Splash Art Show takes place in late March during the Pacific Rim Whale Festival, which is an annual event celebrating the return of Pacific Grey Whales to the West coast of Vancouver Island as they pass by Ucluelet and Tofino migrating north. Keep your eye on the horizon and you’re bound to see whale spouts and whale tales as you walk the Wild Pacific Trail or any beach! This festival hosts a number of fun events throughout Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Art Splash is one of my favourite events!
The Art Splash show will immerse you in a sea of creativity showcasing artists from the area. I am always astounded by the artistic expression and imagination of the talented artists who participate in the show every year. You’ll find paintings, photography, sculptures, ceramics, fibre art, creations out of sea debris and much more.
The ArtSplash awards a “People's Choice Award”, where attendees have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork. The winning piece becomes the poster for the following year’s show.
My first art splash was in 2022 and I had a great time being part of the show, admiring the artwork and meeting the local artists. My tryptic “Surfer’s Paradise” was the piece I entered, and my painting proudly came in second place after Kelly Corbett’s stunning painting titled “Chroma”.
One of the highlights of Art Splash for me as an artist is undoubtedly the "Meet the Artist" night. This night is the opening event of this show and it is an evening brimming with energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie. It's an opportunity for artists to interact with the creators behind the artworks in the show, have some snacks and celebrate!
ArtSplash also features daily “artists in action”, providing visitors the opportunity to meet with and witness the artists working. I participated in this a couple years ago. It was really fun chatting with visitors! Check out this year’s poster to see the schedule for this year’s artist in action.
Last year, I missed out on the festivities as I was on a surf trip (and gathering wave inspiration of course) on art admission day so this year I can hardly contain my excitement to be back at Art Splash. I have entered a large 60” x 40” wave painting that I have been working on in my studio on and off over the past two years! This year’s submission is named “Green Collossus”.
Whether you're a seasoned art collector or simply looking to be inspired, ArtSplash has something for everyone.
The show opens to the public Saturday, March 16th until Saturday, March 23rd, from 10am to 4pm daily.
This event promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Hope to see you there!
This Year’s Art Splash Poster
Painting Live at Art Splash in 2022
Kelly Corbett and I as “Artists in action” at Art Splash 2022
My 2022 Art Splash Entry “Surfer’s Paradise”