Registration for entrants to the 55th Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show has begun and closes April 20 — or until the 140-entry limit is reached.
The annual spring show is Vancouver Island’s largest non-juried exhibition, which means artworks are not pre-screened by a panel, enabling the public to put its own seal of approval by ballot in real time.
Presented by the Cowichan Valley Arts Council (CVAC), the exhibition runs May 4–30 at the CVAC Gallery, opening with a reception the evening of May 2.
Call to Artists
CVAC urges artists of every discipline — professional and recreational alike — to register promptly as the entrant ceiling is already halfway met.
- 18 years or older
- CVAC member ($35 annually)
- $35 registration fee
- Work must be offered for sale
- All works must be original — no AI-generated works or giclée prints
Admission to view the exhibition is free.
“I feel the show is especially valuable because it is not juried, offering a welcoming venue where both emerging and professional artists can gain exposure and grow in their practice.” — Shirley Dickie, self-taught artist and 10-year participant
Monetary awards are available: Best In Show, Award of Excellence, and a special $500 award in art supplies from Excellent Frameworks.
For details: cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca
Lon Wood is a retired journalist and founding member of CVAC.
This article originally appeared in the Cowichan Valley Voice Magazine, April 2026 Issue 209.