Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show set for Sept. 9 to 11

Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show set for Sept. 9 to 11. Gregg McGivern sketches while watching over his stall at the Sunnyside Beach Juried Art Show held last year. The show returns Sept. 9 to 11 this year. File photo/NICOLA BETTS

The three-day fine art event boasts as many as 70 artists exhibiting in a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography and sculpture, alongside art installations and live music performances by both emerging and established artists.

Artists will occupy the ground floor and upper level of the pavilion providing visitors an opportunity to meet the artists, purchase fine art and stroll inside one of the city's architectural gems.

"The venue is amazing," said one of the organizers, artist Ania Biczysko, an area resident who immigrated from Poland two decades ago and settled not far from the lakeshore. "We think it's really nice event for our neighbourhood."

This is an opportunity for artists to show their work to folks with a strong interest in the arts and to collectors looking to purchase pieces of a variety of different styles, said Biczysko.

"The idea is to revitalize this neighbourhood and bring an art component to this part of the city," she said.

The Sunnyside Juried Art Show happens to take place the same weekend the Junction Arts Festival would have taken place, Biczysko pointed out. Sunnyside provides a showcase not only for up-and-coming artists, but also for established artists as well.

"The location is amazing. It's the most affordable show in the city," said Biczysko.

The event is free and open to the public. All sales are commission-free. There are three awards up for grabs for the artists. The first place juried art show winner receives $1,000 in prize money - selected by a qualified committee of gallery owners and recognized art critics, said Biczysko. There is also a People's Choice Award worth $500.

All artists are included in an official show catalogue.

The show takes place Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunnyside Pavilion is at 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

- Lisa Rainford