Over 170 artists will draw tens of thousands to the Art Gallery Paint-In in Victoria on Saturday, July 19, for one of the largest art festivals of its kind in Canada.
Presented by TD Bank Group, the Paint-In spotlights Vancouver and Gulf Islands artists who will display work along Victoria's Moss Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Last year, the event drew 50,000 people of all ages.
Beyond the art, the festival draws crowds for its vibrant sense of community, interactive activities, and bustling market atmosphere.
This year, MAC Reno-Design Build will sponsor hands-on activities at eight Imagination Stations. There will also be food vendors, a Bosley's by Pet Valu Pet Station, and a family-friendly beverage garden located in the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) parking lot at 1040 Moss St. that runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The AGGV will also be open with admission by donation and offer free curator-led tours of A View From Here: Reimagining the AGGV Collections at 1 p.m. (Mandarin) and 2 p.m. (English).
Proceeds from the event support AGGV's programs and operations.
Moss Street will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and no parking is allowed on the street during the event. Visitors are encouraged to bus, walk or cycle, with bike parking available at Central Middle School on Fort Street.
“We are excited to once again welcome thousands of art lovers back to our neighbourhood,” says AGGV director/CEO Nancy Noble in a press release. "We hope that everyone enjoys a day full of art and fun on the street, in the Gallery and at the Beverage Garden, together, while supporting our Island artists."
