Face of Art Runway at Art Vancouver

Art Vancouver is a contemporary art fair featuring artists, artwork, panelists, classes and more at the Canada Place side of the Vancouver Convention Centre.

In 2026 the event takes place from May 28th to 31st. If you like art, you’ll love this event! It’s impressive. Not only can you admire the art, but you can also buy it.

Visit the artvancouver.net website for tickets and full details about the event.

This article features the following information about Art Vancouver:

Art Vancouver Art Displays

International Art Exhibition at the Art Vancouver Fair

Art Vancouver is one of the largest and most prestigious international art fairs in Western Canada. The event provides a global stage for art galleries and artists to showcase and sell their pieces to thousands of people. Not only is the fair an exceptional place to check out different styles of artwork, but there are also guest speakers, panelists and live demonstrations to enjoy.

At the fair, an Art Masters painting competition takes place in front of guests. This is when different artists use a mystery box of supplies to paint something extraordinary in a limited time. Spectators usually get to vote for the piece they like the most. There are also Art Classes at Art Vancouver most years. The instructional workshops typically happen on-site during the show and include admission for one day.

Art Vancouver is organized by the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation which is also responsible for the free Art Downtown Summer Program in Vancouver. It’s a popular event that art lovers from across the world travel to see. As many as 10,000 or more people attend in a typical year.

Click Art Vancouver for tickets and the event’s official website.

When and Where

In 2026, Art Vancouver runs from May 28th to 31st. On the opening evening (Thursday, May 28th, 2026), there is an Opening Night Party and VIP Preview. The evening includes options to buy alcoholic beverages and the Face of Art Runway Show. The events take place between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm. From 6:00 to 7:00, the event is for VIP ticket holders only.

Aside from the first hour on opening day, the rest of the art show is open to the public for the next three days. Hours on Friday are from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and on Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The show concludes on Sunday, running from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Art Vancouver is held at the Vancouver Convention Centre‘s East Building. The event happens in Ballroom B at Canada Place located at 999 Canada Place.

The venue offers parking but is also transit-friendly as it’s close to the Waterfront SkyTrain Station. The beautiful location also offers paths for walking and cycling right along the waterfront. The Coal Harbour Seawall connects to Stanley Park and offers a wonderful way to take in the views Vancouver has to offer.

Click Art Vancouver for tickets and the event’s official website.

Art Vancouver

Admission

General admission to the Art Vancouver fair for one day costs around $25 for everyone ages 12 and over. Children ages 11 and under enter for free.

Tickets for the special Opening Night Premiere Party usually cost $45. The event features a preview of all the art and music, along with a Face of Art Runway Show.

Weekend passes are also available for those who want to visit the fair multiple times. The passes cost around $50 for all day Friday through Sunday.

For people who want to experience all that Art Vancouver has to offer, VIP Passes include access to early previews, the Opening Night Party, and all regular show days. VIP Passes typically cost about $105 per person.

Click Art Vancouver for tickets and the event’s official website.

Leila Razi at Art Vancouver

Exhibitors at Art Vancouver

Art Vancouver is not exclusively for paintings or drawings. Instead, it’s a contemporary art fair showcasing different forms of art, including photography, sculpture, and more. Most of what you’ll see are paintings, but there is a lot more to it.

Art Vancouver typically features around 60 or so exhibitors. Most are from Canada, but some are from other parts of the world.

TIP: Be sure to chat with the artists. They are more than happy to tell you about their art. You’ll learn some pretty interesting and amazing things from them. So many pieces of art have a story.

Click Art Vancouver Exhibitors to see the full list of artists at the 2026 event.

HOTELS IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

Looking for a place to stay overnight that’s close to the Vancouver Convention Centre? Then check out the deals at StayVancouverHotels.com. Book your hotel through them and you’ll get a bonus gift! Hotels close by include the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel. The Westin Bayshore is between the convention centre and Stanley Park. There are lots of other great hotels to choose from too.

Art Vancouver

Schedule

Art Vancouver features guest speakers, classes, art demonstrations and performances. Below is the schedule for 2026.

Thursday, May 28th (2026)

7:30 pm – Welcoming Ceremony
7:45 pm – Face of Art Runway Show

Friday, May 29th (2026)

1:30 pm – Art Class: Dancing Blooms Acrylic with Lauren Morris
1:50 pm – Art Stories: Rosemary Kolasa
2:15 pm – Art Stories: Lara Palmer
3:00 pm – Art Stories: Silvina Lanusse
3:25 pm – Art Stories: Melani Payumo
3:50 pm – Art Stories: Jayden Ju
4:00 pm – Art Class: Still Life with Flowers with Lauren Morris
4:10 pm – Art Stories: Iqra Adam
4:30 pm – Art Stories: Sky Lilah
5:05 pm – Art Demonstration: Erica Marrello
6:05 pm – Art Demonstration: Nilasha Bhimsaria
6:30 pm – Art Class: Alcohol Ink with Taisha Teal
7:05 pm – Art Stores: Spring in Winter Gallery

Saturday, May 30th (2026)

12:00 pm – Art Class: Floral Focus with Lisa Wolfin
12:00 pm – Art Stories: Sara Margherita
12:25 pm – Art Stories: Erica Marrello
12:55 pm – Art Stories: Ray Beldner
2:00 pm – Art Demonstration: Vals Liu
2:30 pm – Art Class: Where Lilies Grow with Tessa Haywood
3:00 pm – Art Demonstration: Ciara Allen

Sunday, May 31st (2026)

12:30 pm – Art Stories: Jeryce Dianingana
12:50 pm – Art Stories: Lara Shecter
1:00 pm – Art Class: Field of Flowers with Sky Lilah
1:10 pm – Art Stories: Jorge Izaza
1:30 pm – Art Stories: TR Trades
2:00 pm – Art Talks Panel: Beyond the Prompt: What Creativity Means in the Age of AI
3:30 pm – Art Class: Alcohol Ink with Taisha Teal
6:30 pm – OPUS Art Masters Painting Competition

Visit the Art Vancouver website for the most up-to-date information regarding the upcoming 2026 show.

Art Vancouver Video

Watch the videos below to get a sense of what to expect at Art Vancouver. The first video shows scenes of the Opening Night event at Canada Place in 2025. The second video shows scenes from the 2023 event, and the third from 2022.

Some of the art featured in this second 2023 video includes pieces by Paul Ygartua, Karissa Narukami, Elizabeth Cross, Mila Chanel, Lee Kyo Dong, and Iva Staykova (all of whom are artists based in the Lower Mainland).