March-May Newsletter 2024

MARCH

ADDRESS & LOCATION:

3228 31st Ave Vernon BC V1T 2H3

HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: By donation

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

President: Sarah Kennedy

Past Presidents: Andrew Powell, Marion Morrison

Trustees: Sigrid-Ann Thors, Bonnie Thomas, Jay Gilman, Teresa Durning, Kyle Britton, Anne-Marie Clancy and Edward Woolley.

STAFF:

Executive Director: Dauna Kennedy

Curator: Lubos Culen

Learning and Community Engagement

Curator: Sierra Bronkhorst

Development-Administration Officer: Heather Yip

Marketing & Events Coordinator: Megan Byers

Gallery Shop Attendant: Chantelle Bullen

Preparator: Jaz Papadopoulos

Bookeeper: Tom Knight

The Vernon Public Art Gallery Society gratefully acknowledges financial support from: The Vernon Public Art Gallery is a registered not-for-profit society. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of BC's Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, British Columbia Arts Council, the Government of Canada, Corporate Donations, Sponsorships, Foundation Grants, General Donations and Memberships. Charitable Organization #108113358RR

NEWS

The Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) is excited to be hosting this spring, Ulrich J. Wolff from Germany who was awarded a solo exhibition this year as the winner of the 2021 Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT) competition. Wolff is an artist and teacher of etching and screen printing at the Kunstakademie Karlsruhe, Germany.

The Okanagan Print Triennial is an award-winning competition/ exhibition that was launched in 2009 as a national open juried print exhibition. Since that time, it has grown into an international competition attracting the best and most innovative print makers from around the world. The VPAG looks forward to hosting Wolff’s exhibition in 2024 while the OPT takes place at the Kelowna Art Gallery before returning to the VPAG in 2027.

Our annual exhibitions, Art from the Heart, and Art & Soul, from School District No.22 Elementary and High School students provide the youth of our community with the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent within the walls of a professional art gallery. Always a public favorite, we encourage you to come in and view the work of these young artists.

We are excited to be launching a brand new VPAG website this March, designed by Sproing Creative over the last year, the website will feature an online shop, an online data base of the VPAG’s permanent collection, along with all of our regular information regarding upcoming exhibitions, events and programming. We greatly ackowledge financial support from the Province of BC.

Our AGM will be on May 28, 2024 at 5:30 pm. We invite members of the VPAG, along with the public to attend and join us for a recap on activities from 2023.

I encourage you to save the date for our annual Midsummer’s Eve of the arts which will be held on July 17th, 2024.

See you at the VPAG!

Executive Director

Vernon Public Art Gallery

Dauna Kennedy

ENGAGE EXPLORE ENRICH

EXHIBITIONS

ULRICH J. WOLFF

There Must Be Life

MARCH 16 - MAY 15

Artist and educator, Ulrich J. Wolff. Based in Karlsruhe, Germany, is known for his vast range of images including natural and urban landscapes, architecture, bodies of water, fields, forests, and vegetation. While dedicated to photographically constructed imagery and environments devoid of human presence, Wolff also includes haunting portraits which reflect the mysteries of the human condition.

Wolff’s subject matter is based on images found and sourced from the Internet, which he manipulates digitally in a collage-like manner. Based on existing found imagery, Wolff creates environments, often architecturally believable cityscapes with an implied human presence and activity, but the views are not populated by people. The images of cityscapes are rendered in dense black passages often accentuated by flat areas of colour screen-printed over the part of an image. In other instances, a subtle coloring is integrated all throughout the image. The density of meaning is further emphasized by Wolff’s usage of additional embossed elements incorporated in the prints as a metaphor for layers of human activity buried beneath the surface. The overall feeling conveyed by the images is a deep sense of dystopia and alienation in the postindustrial landscape.

In addition to cityscapes, landscapes, and seascapes, the inclusion of portraits in the exhibition counterbalances the visual constructs barren of human presence. The portraits of Wolff’s sisters are emotionally charged and they represent the passage of time and individual narratives from the past to present. They personify the unique circumstances of lives lived as a sum of all personal experiences and histories. Wolff provides us with the opportunity to contemplate all of this through the lens of visual language.

Ulrich J Wolff. Buche

Vernon Public Art Gallery Welcomes Award-Winning International Artist Ulrich J. Wolff for Exclusive Exhibition

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is thrilled to announce the visit of renowned international artist, Ulrich J. Wolff, for the opening reception of his highly anticipated exhibition titled There Must Be Life. The exhibition will be on display at the Vernon Public Art Gallery from March 14th to May 15th, 2024.

Ulrich J. Wolff, winner of the 2021 Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT), an esteemed triannual exhibition alternating between the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Kelowna Art Gallery, will be in attendance at the opening reception. The OPT, initiated in 2009 as a national open-juried print exhibition, has evolved into an international competition, attracting top printmakers from over 22 countries worldwide. Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, expressed excitement about hosting Wolff’s solo exhibition this year, with the OPT concurrently taking place at the Kelowna Art Gallery.

“Wolff’s selection as the winner of the 2021 competition brings an international perspective to our community. His artistic skill and unique vision make this exhibition a must-see event,” said Dauna Kennedy.

Feld, etching photo aquatint screen print with embossing on handmade paper, Ulrich J Wolff.

Ulrich J. Wolff, from Germany, is not only an accomplished artist but also a respected teacher of etching and screen printing at the Kunstakademie Karlsruhe. With a background in painting and graphics from the State Academy of the Fine Arts Karlsruhe, Wolff has participated in over 240 national and international print media exhibitions in various countries.

There Must Be Life promises to captivate audiences with its diverse range of imagery, showcasing natural and urban landscapes, architecture, bodies of water, fields, forests, and vegetation. While dedicated to photographically constructed imagery and environments devoid of human presence, Wolff also includes haunting portraits which reflect the mysteries of the human condition.

The opening reception for Ulrich J. Wolff’s exhibition will take place on Thursday, March 14th, from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. The community is warmly invited to join in the celebration, meet the artist, and enjoy a short talk by Wolff about his exhibition. Light bites and drinks will be served, and entry is by donation.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with the internationally acclaimed artist Ulrich J. Wolff and experience the compelling world of There Must Be Life at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. Entry is by donation.

SD 22

ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Art from the Heart

MARCH 16 - APRIL 10

Art from the Heart is the annual exhibition by elementary students from School District 22. Their artwork was produced under the guidance of their art teachers and presented in the formal setting of a public gallery.

Spencers Ted Harrison Landscape

SD 22

SECONDARY STUDENTS

Art & Soul

APRIL 18 - MAY 14

Art and Soul is the annual exhibition by School District 22 Secondary Students. Their art displays a maturity of handling various mediums and more importantly, demonstrates a strong conceptual approach.

Ella Barton, Pear

CALENDER OF EVENTS

EVENTS

OPENING RECEPTIONS

On March 14, we welcome German artist, Ulrich J. Wolff. Wolff was the winner of the 2021 Okanagan Print Triennial exhibition. Wolff will present his new exhibition titled: There Must Be Life.

On March 16, join us for the Opening Day of the SD 22 exhibition: Art from the Heart by elementary students within the district.

On April 18, join us for the Opening Reception of Art & Soul by high school students within SD 22.

On May 23, join us for the Opening Reception of four new exhibitions:

Emergence by the BFA graduates from the Fine Arts program at UBCO.

Accidentals by Robert Fee

An Eclective Collection by the VPAG’s Crit Club members Through Our Eyes by Teen Junction

Admission for Opening Receptions is by donation, and light bites and drinks will be served.

COMMUNITY EXPO

On April 20, thousands of North Okanagan residents will visit the Chamber’s Community Expo at Kal Tire Place.The VPAG will be on location promoting programming and doing a family friendly art activity! There will also be lots of giveaways and entertainment for the kids.

AGM

Join us on May 28th for the Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held at the gallery starting promptly at 5:30 p.m. We appreciate your input regarding gallery operations and hope to see you there. Copies of the VPAG AGM report will be available to take home.

SAVE THE DATE

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is a benefit event put on by the Vernon Public Art Gallery each July, which helps raise funds to support ongoing gallery exhibitions and programming.

Last year we had an astounding 115 artists donate artwork, along with 50 generous companies/businesses donate towards the luxury and experience packages that were auctioned off at the event.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is Vernon’s longest running art auction, attracting a crowd of 200-300 guests, including key members of the Okanagan business community. The 2024 event will be the 38th annual fundraiser, and we are aiming to make this year the best yet!

We believe that art is an integral part of our community, and we’re committed to showcasing the incredible talent of local artists. For three decades, the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts has been our signature fundraising event, and this year, we’re excited to bring you another fantastic celebration of the arts.

If you would like to donate to the 38th annual MEA Auction, please visit the website for more information. www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/mea

PROGRAMMING

Family Saturday takes place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for little kids and big kids alike. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate and create their own piece of art as well. All materials for the workshops are supplied. Suggested ages are 5 years old and up.

FAMILY SATURDAY SCHOOL TOURS

Sign up online at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/family-saturday

The Vernon Public Art Gallery provides primary and secondary students in the Greater Vernon Area with a variety of educational programs. Our workshop curriculum is structured around the exhibitions in fall, winter, and spring, providing students with the opportunity to attend at least three times throughout the school year. The program offers exhibition tours and hands-on art activities which complement and address the visual arts curriculum, in addition to cross-curricular connections to assist teachers, parents, and educators in developing an integrated approach to teaching.

More info at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/school-programs

REGIONAL REACH

Regional Reach is a traveling art education program designed to meet the needs of our schools in the outlying areas of Greater Vernon. The VPAG now has 2 circulating Regional Reach art kits that teachers can sign out. The kits include all the art materials and a detailed teacher’s guide with 10 cross curricular lessons.

More info at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/regional-reach

MINI ARTISTS

Join us on the last Monday of every month for a diverse exploration of artmaking materials and art processes through age-appropriate art activities. We invite parents and guardians to bring their little ones under the age of 5 to explore art making with nontoxic materials in this fun and social program that encourages creative self-expression while developing fine and gross motor skills and sensory awareness.

All are welcome to create, and make sure you dress for a mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session. Admission is by donation. Sign up online at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/ mini-artists

CRIT CLUB

Crit Club is a workshop and critique program dedicated to supporting high school students in their artistic pursuits and development. Each session will begin with a presentation by an established guest artist. Following the presentation, the guest artist will lead a workshop inspired by their practice. After the workshop, students are invited to share their completed or in process artwork(s) with the group for a critique session.

Crit Club members will also have an opportunity to exhibit their artwork at VPAG. Sign up online at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/critclub

MEMBERSHIP

Core membership

ACTIVE SUPPORTERS - $35 +GST

Core benefits

• Newsletter + e-news

• Access to Regional Reciprocal Program

• 10% Gallery Shop discount

• Members only events

• AGM voting priviledges

• Access to Art Rental Program

Membership types

• Individual

• Student

• Family (4 people)

• Corporate (5 people)

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

ROBERT FEE

Accidentals

MAY 23 - July 17

The title of the show “Accidentals” refers to the musical term indicating a temporary shift in a musical composition. Once the key of a song is established, an instrumentalist reading the music will encounter a note has been made sharp or flat for that bar and they must adjust. Then the music will default back to the original key for the subsequent bars, until the composer creates another shift somewhere else. At first this temporary change may be a mystery to the individual player, but to the composer there is underlying meaning; a change in the harmony, or a different scale with a particular sound. What might have seemed a random change always has a purposeful intention. The accidental always adds more tension, drama, and interest to the piece.

- Robert Fee

My name is friskies and I am here to help you, Robert Fee

SPONSORSHIP

VPAG SPONSORS

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors for continuing to support Arts & Culture in the North Okanagan!

VPAG PARTNERS

Thank you to Wayside for being the 2024 print sponsor

The Vernon Public Art Gallery Society gratefully acknowledges financial support from:

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is a registered not-for-profit society. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of BC's Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, British Columbia Arts Council, the Government of Canada, Corporate Donations, Sponsorships, Foundation Grants, General Donations and Memberships. Charitable Organization #108113358RR