A few hundred aspiring artists are converging on downtown Langley this weekend, trolling for just the right spot, just the right muse to get creative. They just might earn themselves some art money and prizes.
They’re taking part in the fifth annual Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge happening this Sunday in Langley City.
While there are a lot of strict plein air competitions out there, where serious artists can show off their techniques, this event is for artists of all ages and skill-sets, said Ben Tammi, manager of Opus Langley City.
It’s meant to get them out, socializing, having fun – maybe having a picnic – and creating some art, Tammi added.
Sign up in advance at opusartsupplies.com/opc, or at the store on May 15.
Registration is at 9:30 a.m. with painting starting at 10 a.m., and ending by 3 p.m. The paintings are a specific size.
The resulting works are judged between 4 and 4:30 p.m. and there’s prizes for adult, youth and kid categories will be given out at the store at 5 p.m.
His art store is one of six Opus sites organizing a challenge, and they’ve set up a painting zone in an eight-block radius of the local store where participants can wander for inspiration.
In past, Tammi recalls one painter earned second-place for a picture of the one-way section of the Fraser Highway, where he took the existing scenery and added in a few zombies.
“It’s a community event… it’s about families, its about having fun,” he said.
Close to 300 registered to participate last year, with 207 returning with finished artwork at the end of the competition.
Rules and more details about the competition are available online at opusartsupplies.com/opc. The event goes rain or shine.
The store is located in the Langley Mall, off Douglas Crescent, at 5501 204th St.
> More at langleyadvance.com, search ‘Opus’