CA Upcoming

Exquisite Corpse Painting Event

Name: Exquisite Corpse Painting Event
Start: 2026-10-24
End: 2026-10-24
Location: Parksville

The Exquisite Corpse Painting Event is a collaborative art exhibition and gala held at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville. Based on a classic Surrealist game, the project features unique canvases created by groups of three artists working independently on different sections of a single figure. The event concludes with a public unveiling party on October 24, 2026, featuring an auction, prizes, and themed festivities.

Date: Oct 24, 2026
Location: Parksville
Status: Upcoming

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Event summary

Highlights

Collaborative 'blind' painting process involving three artists per canvas
Gala reveal and auction of original surrealist-inspired artworks
Visitors Choice awards and interactive party games
Costume-friendly atmosphere encouraging fancy or funky attire

This event is inspired by the 'Cadavre Exquis' technique popularized by Surrealists in the 1920s. In this local adaptation, artists are organized into groups of three to paint a head, torso, or feet on a 12x36-inch canvas. Participants work 'blind,' seeing only the top inch of the previous painter's contribution as a guide, which results in the creation of fantastical and often absurd composite figures.

The project culminates in a grand unveiling party where the finished artworks are revealed to the public and the artists for the first time. The evening includes a gala auction of the canvases and the presentation of awards, such as the Visitors Choice prize. Attendees are encouraged to wear fancy, funky, or outrageous costumes to participate in the celebration, which also features games and photo opportunities.

Practical details

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.