EXHIBIT
Vancouver Island ArtistFest
When: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Honeymoon Bay Community Hall and grounds
Tickets: $50 in advance at the Coffee Mill (Honeymoon Bay), $55 at vanislandartistfest.eventbrite.com or $60 at the door. Kids 12 and under free.
Gaining exposure can be a big challenge for artists embarking on new careers. So when photographer Katie Bennett returned from a year-long trip to Australia ready to focus on her craft, she created her own fortune rather than waiting for opportunities to present themselves.
"I wanted to express myself and get my art out there, but I also felt like it wasn't an easy thing to do at my age," said the 24-year-old.
"So I had this vision for a festival that was inclusive of everyone and would give young artists the chance to present and perform alongside musicians and artists who have years of experience. [They could] learn from each other and grow together."
Bennett organized the first Vancouver Island Artist Festival - a festival run by artists and for artists - last summer in Centennial Square. Now in its second year, the festival has doubled its lineup, expanded to two days as well as two stages, and moved to a larger venue in the Cowichan Valley's Honeymoon Bay.
"There's a lot of artists in this community. I think it will be a really great place for ArtistFest to grow and plant itself and have a new home," Bennett said of the new venue, which features both an outdoor field stage and indoor hall.
This year's musical lineup of 23 performers includes Vince Vaccaro, Rennie Foster, Mindil Beach Markets, Ball Gag 'n' Chain Gang, Lola Parks and more.
A 20-table vendor market will offer everything from food to arts and crafts. An additional five to 10 artists will display their work and do painting demonstrations. And there will also be a free kids' booth, workshops and more.
There are no campsites on the festival grounds, but overnight camping is available down the road through Gordon Bay Provincial Park. There are also several resorts, cabins and bed and breakfasts in the area.
Bennett has paired with environmental organization Surfrider and will donate proceeds from the festival to support the non-profit's efforts at shoreline cleanup, in anticipation of incoming tsunami debris.
She said she hopes to draw about 250 people to ArtistFest this year - a number she is optimistic will continue to expand in future years.
"I think there's space for us to grow," she said.
