16 Days of Visual & Performing Arts
Celebrating Vancouver Island's Creative Communities along Hwy 19a
Dashwood, Qualicum Bay, Bowser, Deep Bay, Ships Point, Fanny Bay, & Union Bay
Juried Fine Art
Exhibition
SEPT 12/13
Multi Venue
Performances
SEPT 14 - 25
Artists Studios
Self Guided Tour
SEPT 26/27
Fine Art Exhibition - DF Gray
Performances - Palace Band & Dancers Featuring Lady Longlove
Studio Tour - Loris Dawn Nygaard
We are gearing up for 2026
Important dates.....
Feb 15 : OPEN CALLS for...
FINE ARTISTS Juried Fine Art Exhibition - Sept 12 - 13
Artists from Vancouver Island and Surrounding Gulf Islands
PERFORMING ARTISTS Multi Venue Live Performances - Sept 14 - 25
Singer/Songwriters, Dance Bands, Poets, Theatre, ...
Emphasis on local (Vancouver Island and Surrounding Gulf Islands) & original material
ARTIST STUDIOS Open Studio Tour - Sept 26 - 27
Studios located along or near Hwy 19a from Dashwood to Union Bay
May 31 : ARTIST CALLS CLOSE
Successful applicants notified
June 15 : FESTIVAL GUIDE
Calendar / Tour Map / Artist and Sponsor Listings
Ready for distribution - residential mail out - key business access points
Sept 12 : the Route 19a Arts Festival begins!
Sept 12-13 Fine Art Exhibition at the Lighthouse Community Hall
Sept 14-25 Live performances in multiple venues from Dashwood to Union Bay
Sept 26-27 Open Artists Studio Tour from Dashwood to Union Bay
We’re currently recruiting for two key volunteer coordinator roles:
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MARKETING COORDINATOR – Spread the word! Work with our team on social media, print, radio, and community outreach to share the festival’s creative spirit across Vancouver Island.
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VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR - oversee recruitment, training, scheduling, communication, and support for all festival volunteers, including official photographers. Ensure volunteers are well-prepared, appreciated, and effectively deployed to enhance the visitor, artist, and community experience.
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If you’re organized, creative, and love working with people, we’d love to have you on our team! Be part of your community supporting visual and performance artists by creating a vibrant, local, and unforgettable Route 19a Arts Festival in 2026
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Route 19A Arts Festival is an exciting celebration of creativity, culture, and community,
set against the scenic backdrop of Route 19A (Island Hwy W) from Dashwood to Union Bay.
This annual event brings together artists, musicians, performers, and audiences from across the region
for a vibrant showcase of talent and a memorable experience for all involved.
Route19a 2025
16 days of a wide variety of visual and performing arts.