AFC Members - Festival & Registration Info

2017 Simon Combes Award Recipient

Mark Hobson (Canada)

Learn more about Mark and the Simon Combes Award.

Call to Artists

Live Demos

Interested in giving a live painting demo? It's a great way to engage with the public, meet new people and share your latest work.

Complete our online form

AFC Festival Hotel

Limited availability. Earlier bookings get preferred rooms.

We've negotiated a special rate for AFC artists of $109/room or $129 including breakfast and parking with Executive Hotel Vintage Park. This is the closest major hotel to the Festival (~5 kms) and very conveniently located to downtown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, etc.. It is an affordable 3-star hotel with good reviews overall.

Use Group Code # AFCGBB incl. parking/breakfast

Use Group Code #AFCG for room only

Book online at link above or call 1.888.388.3932

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AFC Programs

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15 Sept, 2017

Dear Fellow AFC Artists,

C ongratulations once again, to all artists who have been selected for this year's exhibit!

We hope you plan to attend the AFC's 7th festival and 10th exhibit opening weekend from November 9 - 13 at a new spectacular location - VanDusen Botanical Gardens in downtown Vancouver! We've put together an itinerary plus some tips and suggestions to help you plan your trip. All members are welcome! We will distribute a more detailed itinerary for print-out very soon, once some remaining details are finalized.

AFC's 2017 EXHIBITING ARTISTS

If you have not done so, login to your personal AFC website (at NATUREARTISTS.COM site) to see the results and prepare to ship your artwork. Shipping details are now posted.

ARTIST FESTIVAL & DINNER PASS

Our 2017 itinerary closely follows the model established in 2016. The opening evening will be divided into two parts: an Artist & Awards dinner and a ticketed Grand Opening Reception. This year, to cover associated costs for the weekend, each attending artist and guest must register in advance. Your weekend pass covers the following:

VanDusen and Bloedel Conservatory passes
Artist Awards Dinner
Admission to the Grand Opening Reception.
Return shuttle from VanDusen to Executive Hotel, Nov 9

Required for all AFC artists attending the opening

(and up to 1 guest).

Please email us if you are attending with more than one guest/family member. We will do our best to accommodate but space is limited for the artist dinner and return shuttle.

Festival Itinerary Overview

Thursday, Nov 9

4:30pm - 5:15pm | Artists Orientation & Exhibit Preview

5:15pm - 6:45pm | Artist Dinner and Gathering

7:00pm - 10:00pm | Grand Opening Reception

Friday, Nov 10

9:45am - 11:30pm | Artist visit to Bloedel Conservatory

10:00am - 4:00pm | Public Festival & Films

7:00pm onward | Artists Night Out*

(*Note that the Artists Night Out is not an official activity but a great social opportunity near our designated hotel partner. We recommend gathering at the Sandbar, Granville Island. (Artists pay their own tab.)

Saturday, Nov 11

10:00am - 4:00pm | Public Festival & Films

11:00am - noon | Public Welcome Ceremony

12:00pm - 4:00pm | Artist Demos

1:00pm - 4:00pm | Live Music & Birds of Prey

1:30pm - 3:00pm | Artist Keynote and Presentations

Sunday, Nov 12

9:00am - 11:00pm | Artist Nature/Birding Walk (TBD)

10:00am - 4:00pm | Public Festival & Films

12:00pm - 4:00pm | Artist Demos

1:00pm - 4:00pm | Live Music & Birds of Prey

1:30pm - 3:00pm | Artist Keynote and Presentations

(*Note that the Farewell dinner is not an official activity nor included in the weekend pass, but a great social opportunity at the end of the big weekend.. We recommend gathering at the Tap & Barrel at the Convention Centre. (Artists pay their own tab.)

Monday, Nov 13

9:00am - 11:00pm | Artist Nature/Birding Walk (TBD)

10:00am - 4:00pm | Public Festival & Films

12:00pm - 4:00pm | Artist Demos

1:00pm - 4:00pm | Live Music & Birds of Prey

4:00pm | Festival closes

Note: Above schedule is tentative and subject to change. A detailed program schedule will be distributed (downloadable and printable PDF) closer to the festival dates.

AFC Festival Artist Field Trips

Bloedel Conservatory | Fri, Nov 10 |

9:30-11:30am

We are organizing a field trip for all artists and their guest to visit the Bloedel Conservatory. Located just a few blocks away from VanDusen, the Bloedel Conservatory is a domed "biosphere" featuring 3 biomes, more than 200 free-flying exotic birds, and over 500 exotic plants and flowers, within its climate-controlled environment. Artists are responsible for transportation to Bloedel Conservatory in the morning. AFC will arrange shuttle transport from the Conservatory to the Festival. Free admission with your Artist Festival Pass. Register here.

Nature/Birding Walk

We are planning a birding/nature walk or two at VanDusen and possibly another location. Details to follow.

Spread the Word

Be sure to help us spread the word by telling your family, friends and colleagues near and far about the event. The new AFC Festival web site is updated regularly and its a great one to share.

We're sincerely looking forward to seeing many of you in a wonderful reunion of our membership from around the world.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the above.

Sincerely,

Jeff Whiting

President & Founder,

Artists for Conservation