West Vancouver Community Arts Council upcoming events

2027 Silk Purse Arts Centre Exhibitions (Monday, June 08, 2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:00:00 GMT

The West Vancouver Community Arts Council invites visual artists to submit work for our 2027 Exhibition Program at the Silk Purse Arts Centre!

Who Can Submit

Submission is open to emerging & established artists working in any medium.

We strongly encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities, identities, abilities, ages, and genders, to apply.

Artists must be residents of or have their studio on the North Shore – West Vancouver, North Vancouver.

Artists must have had at least 2 prior exhibitions.

Artist collectives & groups may also apply. Make one submission for the entire group.

Preference will be given to artists who have

A) have not exhibited or be scheduled to exhibit in a juried exhibition in the Silk Purse Arts Centre or Kay Meek Arts Centre in 2025 0r 2026 (SPECTRUM, You Are Here & other special exhibitions are exempt).

B) have not had an exhibition at the Ferry Building Gallery, District Foyer or Memorial Library in 2025 or 2026.

What We Are Looking For

Art that reflects & examines our community & the vast world beyond; that presents new ideas & thought-provoking concepts; celebrates, deconstructs & recontextualizes traditional art forms & subjects; all while encouraging creativity & diversity.

Our mission is to encourage & foster the Arts in our community by providing artists a unique & popular space to exhibit their work & by making art by local artists accessible to the public.

Exhibition-ready artwork in any medium.*
Smaller free standing 3-D works are welcome.
For wall mounted work, no larger than 48” x 48”.

*Due to the constraints of the space & other concurrent programming, we cannot accommodate large-scale installations; nor do we have the hardware for digital, video, or sound installations.

Selection Process

Submissions will be adjudicated by a jury comprised of professional artists & curators to select works based on our mission & criteria.

Selected artists will be scheduled for a 4 or 3 week group exhibition of 2-4 artists, as determined by the Jury, at the Silk Purse Arts Centre in 2027.

All selected artists will be required to become WVCAC Members.

How To Submit

1. Select 'Register for this event', starting June 8.

2. Complete the Submission Form which includes uploading:

Artwork Submission 6 hi-res images of the artwork that best represents the body of work you wish to be considered for adjudication.
Name files as follows 'Artist_Title_Media_Size_Price'
Accepted formats: JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF. Each file should be less than 20 MB.
List of artworks corresponding to the images, including titles, dates of production, medium, dimensions (in inches), & price.

A single document containing
Artist Statement Clear & concise artist statement regarding your art practice & the concept/themes of the work being considered.
Artist Bio Short biography.
Accepted formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX. The file should be less than 20MB.

3. Pay the $35 Submission Fee.

Submissions Open: Monday, June 8
Submissions Close: Thursday, August 20 at 4pm
Results: Artists will be notified by the end of October

Exhibition Information

Exhibitions will run 4 or 3 weeks, comprised of 2 to 4 artists as determined by the Jury.
The WVCAC is responsible for the installation of each exhibition: the final curation, placement of the works, & the final number of pieces that will be exhibited. Download Silk Purse floor plan.
The WVCAC will produce & distribute promotional materials & a press release; & promote the exhibition via social media, newsletter, website & local listings.
The WVCAC will provide opportunities for public engagement ie: reception, artist talk, etc., to be determined in relation to each exhibition.
The WVCAC will process all sales of artwork during the exhibition & retain a 35% commission on sales.
The majority of the work on display should be for sale. No more than 10% can be 'not for sale'.
Other Arts & Culture programming will take place in the gallery during the exhibition.

If you have any questions please contact Gallery Manager Steven Snider steven.wvcac@shaw.ca.

We look forward to seeing your artwork!

SPECTRUM Call to Artists (Monday, June 29, 2026)

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:30:00 GMT

All artists, established & emerging are invited to submit work for our annual unjuried open invitation exhibition, SPECTRUM.

The first 25 works of art submitted will be featured in a 3 week group exhibition from July 2 - 19!

The goal of this exhibition is to showcase the talented artists in our community working in a broad spectrum of styles, media & subject matter; to create an inclusive & level playing field for artists at varying stages of their careers; & to present a diverse & engaging art experience.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

The first 25 artists to arrive with 1 work of art will be accepted for the exhibition. Artists, bring your artwork to the gallery on the date & time outlined below for the opportunity to participate.

What to Submit: 1 original work of art in any media, style & subject.

Accepted artists will be asked to e-mail a 1 page artist bio/statement.

Where: Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave.

When: Monday, June 29 between 4 - 5 pm.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

a) 1 work of art per artist.

b) Work must be gallery ready: have appropriate mounting/hanging hardware ie: hanging wire, d-rings etc. Frames with easel backs will not be accepted.

c) Max Size:
Wall mounted artwork: 24” x 24” (including frame if work is framed)
Free-standing sculpture: height 24" diameter 10". (Due to spacial limitations we may not be able to accept all sculpture submissions)

d) Current WVCAC Membership.

e) $10 entry fee.

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

Installation & Uninstallation: Installation will be executed by the WVCAC. Artwork to be retrieved by artists on Sunday, July 19 at 4 pm.

Sales: The WVCAC will process all sales & take a 35% commission.

Promotion: The WVCAC will promote the exhibition in various online & print publications.

First Thursdays Art Walk: July 2 from 6-8 pm The Silk Purse will be open to the public for the Art Walk, a celebration of local artists, art spaces, public art, creativity & community.

Inquiries to Gallery Manager Steven Snider steven.wvcac@shaw.ca

Gifted Holiday Artisan Market (Monday, July 20, 2026)

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

This holiday season we are inviting submissions from artists, artisans & makers for our Gifted Holiday Artisan Market to be held in the Silk Purse Gallery from November 12 - December 11, 2026!

We are looking for unique, original & handmade, artisanal quality jewellery, handbags, pottery, candles, soaps, fashion items, cards, woodwork, leather goods & other special items.

WVCAC volunteers & staff will process sales. We take items on consignment, & retain a 30% commission on sales. Payment for sold items will be issued in January 2027.

All selected artisans will be required to become WVCAC Members.

How To Submit

1. Select the 'Register for this event' button, starting July 20.

2. Complete the Submission Form which includes uploading:

Artwork Submission 6 hi-res images of the items you are submitting for consideration.
Accepted formats: JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF. Each file should be less than 20 MB.

Artist Statement Clear & concise description of your work including prices & materials; a short biography (max 75 words).
Accepted formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX. File should be less than 20MB.

3. Pay the $20 Submission Fee.

Submissions Open Monday, July 20

Submissions Close Thursday, August 27, 4pm.

Results Artisans/makers will be advised by late September if your work is selected. Selected items to be delivered by October 17 during gallery hours at the Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave. West Vancouver. Delivery arrangements & instructions will be confirmed post acceptance notice.

If you have any questions please contact Gallery & Communications Manager Steven Snider steven.wvcac@shaw.ca

We look forward to seeing your work!