The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society is seeking a local artist to contribute to the improvement of our education program's space. Selected artist will design and paint a unique piece of themed artwork onto a newly constructed wooden table-topper to be used by students during Cannery educational programming and Out of School visits. The completed table-topper will be used throughout the year and will add to the atmosphere of our education programs space to enhance the learning experience for students.
The selected artist will also undertake the painting of their table-topper (or a portion thereof) onsite outside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site on Saturday, June 6th, 2026, as an element of the Cannery’s annual World Oceans Day celebration.
Details
Opportunity: Design and paint a unique piece of art for a wooden table-topper to be used during Cannery education programs. Share the creative process with the public via live painting on June 6, 2026.
Objectives: The objective of this opportunity is to improve the Cannery education program’s space, by:
• Contributing to an engaging learning environment for students and youth;
• Representing local river and ocean life;
• Sharing community history, experiences, and memories;
• Facilitating intercultural understanding;
• Depicting significant BC/West Coast stories and events; and
• Providing opportunities for students to experience local art and artists.
The completed artwork will support the goals and themes of the Cannery’s Education and Out of School programs and provide a legacy piece that will engage and inspire future students and youth visiting the Cannery.
Submission Closing Date: Friday, May 1st, 2026. See “How to Apply” section.
Theme: We prioritize own-voices storytelling in the art selected, and encourage connection with any of the following themes:
• Ocean or river life
• Ocean or river landscape
• Regional Indigenous history, including the history of Musqueam Indian band and/or other Indigenous communities with ties to fishing and canning along the West Coast
• Early immigration to Steveston
• Steveston/West Coast communities and their connections to the water
• Fishing, historical and contemporary
• Fish canning history and technology
Disciplines: Painting
Experience: This opportunity is open to all levels of experience.
Remuneration: Selected artist will receive an honorarium of $2,109 for the completion of this project. Honorarium has been determined via the use of the 2026 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule and includes compensation for the following elements:
• Conception/development of table design & associated preparation for painting
• Live painting of table-topper on June 6th, 2026
• Royalty for unlimited “installation” of table-topper in the Cannery’s classroom space upon project completion. Note: “Installation” for this project does not consist of an official display in the Cannery museum, but rather the ongoing use of completed piece in the Cannery education program’s space.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society will cover the cost of supplies separately and will communicate with the selected artist to determine necessary supplies.
Additional painting dates: If painting cannot be completed during the World Oceans Day live component, additional time for painting to be completed will be arranged in consultation with the selected artist.
The Cannery prioritizes accessibility and can make amendments to the painting schedule based on the artist’s needs. Please indicate any physical needs in your application that would impact the physical painting of the tables (for example tilting or moving the tables to be accessed by artists using wheelchairs or walkers, assistance moving tables, etc.).
Table Dimensions: Exact table-topper dimensions not yet confirmed, approximately 6.5’ x 3’. Exact dimensions will be provided to the selected artist once the selection process is complete.
Additional Details/Considerations:
• The Cannery education program’s space is located in a heritage building that provides limited shelter from the elements. As such, long-lasting, weather-resistant materials will be prioritized. Artists are required to paint their table in exterior paint and/or be comfortable having their finished pieces sealed for indoor-outdoor weather.
• Live painting on World Oceans Day will be outdoors and accessible to the general public. As such, there is a possibility that photos and videos will be taken/requested. Artists must communicate any concerns or challenges regarding photo or video recording during the live painting process.
– In case of inclement weather, tents or indoor space will be provided for live painting to take place.
• The completed tables will remain property of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Society. Artists will be credited for their design in the Cannery classroom, with visible signage displaying the artist’s name and artwork details.
• Additional artist recognition will include:
– Promotion of artist name and artwork details on Cannery social media and on gulfofgeorgiacannery.org
– Promotion of artist name and artwork details leading up to, and during, the World Oceans Day event on June 6th, 2026.
• Additional table/table-topper painting opportunities may become available in 2026 pending receipt of additional project funding. The Cannery education program’s space holds a total of five (5) tables/table-toppers.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a proposal including the following components:
• Artist CV
• A portfolio link or examples of past work
• An artist’s statement and expression of interest/concept
– Expressions of interest/concept should include your proposed image, theme, or subject matter.
– A description/draft demonstrating how the concept would be translated to the table is preferred.
• Certification that the work is entirely of the artist’s own creation and is an original piece for this purpose.
Submit applications to Tatyana Beck, Curatorial Program Manager at tatyana.beck@gogcannery.org by Friday, May 1st, 2026. Successful applicant will be notified by Friday, May 15th, 2026.
Selection Criteria:
Proposals will be selected based on the following criteria:
• The concept/design’s connection to the project’s theme(s), listed above.
• The concept/design’s suitability for a programming space primarily engaging youth/students K-12 (most frequently by ages 6-12).
• For concepts on the theme of historic cultural communities, we are seeking designs that emphasize the positive contributions and resilience of the communities who made this place their home.
We are more than happy to provide additional clarifications and to answer questions related to this project. Please reach out to Tatyana Beck if you require additional information.
Download PDF – Call for Artists Spring – Education Table Improvement Project
