The Parallel
Art Show

The Parallel Art Show (PAS) is a juried competition of Southern Gulf Islands artists that runs concurrently with SSNAP. Artists from the Southern Gulf Islands who submit to SSNAP are automatically eligible for PAS. The Parallel Art Show jury selects approximately 50 finalists from which the PAS winners are chosen. PAS winners are announced at the SSNAP Gala Awards Night.

Prize
Categories

$3,000

The Matt Steffich Jurors’ Choice Award

Chosen by the Jurors
 
Sponsored by Windsor Plywood Salt Spring

$4,500

Viewers' Choice Awards

1st prize — $2,000    Donated by Michael Whitfield
2nd prize — $1,500    Sponsored by Country Grocer
3rd prize — $1,000    Sponsored by Country Grocer

PAS
Eligibility

To be eligible, an artist must have submitted to SSNAP, met the SSNAP entry requirements, and reside primarily on one of the Southern Gulf Islands:

  • Gabriola Island
  • Galiano Island
  • Mayne Island
  • Moresby Island
  • Pender Island
  • Penelakut Island
  • Prevost Island
  • Salt Spring Island
  • Saturna Island
  • Sidney Island
  • Thetis Island
  • Valdes Island

An artwork accepted into SSNAP is not eligible for the Parallel Art Show.

There is no additional submission fee for the Parallel Art Show.

PAS Jury

  • Sophia Burke

    2023/24

    Sophia Burke is an artist working in photography, video, drawing, and installation. A finalist in the SSNAP 2015/16 exhibition, her work has been exhibited across Canada, the US, Europe, and Japan. She lives on Salt Spring Island with her husband and daughter.

  • Helen Mears

    2023/24

    After exhibiting artists’ works for 17 years in Vancouver, from 1987 to 2004, and attending Emily Carr University, Helen Mears moved to Salt Spring Island in 2006 and has curated and written about numerous exhibitions. She managed Salt Spring Arts and served on various committees there. Helen currently owns Pod contemporary gallery where she exhibits works by British Columbia artists.

  • Richard Steel

    2023/24

    Richard Steel grew up in London, England, and took advantage of being surrounded by art galleries, theatres, live music, and fashion. He worked in retail and exhibition design and display and attended The Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea, London, which caused him to see everything in a very different way.

    After moving to Salt Spring Island in 2001, Richard joined the Salt Spring Arts Council, taking on the role of ArtCraft manager. He curated four group or individual exhibitions each year there. Since 2019, Richard has curated and installed exhibitions on a free-lance basis. These include the Easter Art Show in 2018 and the Salt Spring National Art Prize in 2019 along with many other exhibitions at ArtSpring and other galleries on Salt Spring Island.

PAS 2021/22
Finalists

PAS 2021/22 included 143 submissions from Southern Gulf Islands artists. View our 51 finalists and winners.

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