VERNON PUBLIC ART GALLERY
MARCH / MAY 2016
VOL. 25, NO. 2
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
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t is with great pleasure that the Vernon Public Art Gallery welcomes back Jordan Bennett for a solo exhibition which opens on March 17, 2016. We gained a glimpse into the contemporary format of this First Nations artist through a group exhibition that came to the VPAG titled Decolonize Me, by the Ottawa Art Gallery. A mix of mediums and sound Mniku, Bennett’s solo work, will provide us with an immersive experience while contemplating the various issues around indigenous art practices which are presented within this new body of work. As we move into spring, VPAG along with exhibition sponsor Kal Tire, welcome the students of SD # 22 with the exhibitions Art From the Heart and Art & Soul. Each year teachers work with the VPAG to select artwork for these popular exhibitions. I’d like to thank Kal Tire for being a longtime supporter, enabling us the opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of our youth. I am happy to report that after much anticipation, the Arts & Culture Master Plan for Greater Vernon is now complete and just awaiting adoption by the Regional District of the North Okanagan. On March 31 the committee will meet once again to find out the next steps for implementation of the plan, which includes a new space for the Art Gallery among other identified priorities. Please be sure to review some of our new programming which has been quite popular. Gallery staff have been working hard to provide a wide range of programming to fit all age demographics and I encourage you to explore some of the opportunities available at the VPAG. As always, admission is by donation and we are open Monday-Saturday providing plenty of opportunity to come in and immerse yourself in the current exhibitions.
Dauna Kennedy Grant, Executive Director
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Mini Artists, March 1, 2016 | Next date is Tuesday April 5 at 10 a.m, see page 8 for more information. 4
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EXHIBITIONS
Jordan Bennett: Hunt Guide In Red Cedar 2015, wood and acrylic, 12 x 12 x 2 in
Mar 17 - May 18, 2016 Joran Bennett: Mniku Jordan Bennett is a contemporary artist of Mi’kmaq descent currently based in Kelowna, British Columbia. His artistic production includes performance, drawing, painting, carving, video, and new media. His exhibition at the Vernon Public Art Gallery titled Mniku addresses a wide array of issues within contemporary indigenous discourses regarding history and indigenous artists’ practices both contemporary and historical. The exhibition consists of paintings on carved yellow and red cedar and paintings on cradled panel surfaces, all accompanied by participatory sound installation. An additional suit of smaller paintings and drawings on paper document Bennett’s creative process and development of abstract images leading to be executed in larger paintings. Jordan Bennett’s exhibition titled Mniku re-contextualizes history written by European settlers in the past through a contemporary indigenous lens.
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Eden Dyck, Arctic Polar Bears, Watercolour, 2016, Homeschool From HCOS
Mar 17 - Apr 14, 2016 SD 22 Elementary Students: Art From the Heart The artwork in the annual exhibition Art from the Heart, by elementary students from School District #22, delights viewers with their creations, under the guidance of their art teachers. The students often portray the world that surrounds them, or in other cases, they directly reference their experiences through the language of visual forms. Their uninhibited approach to art-making reflects the students’ natural inclination and desire to communicate. Join us for the opening reception for Art From the Heart on Saturday March 19 at 1 p.m. Enjoy coffee, tea, cookies and punch at the galleryas we celebrate these young artists.
EXHIBITIONS March - May, 2016 Opening Receptions Thursday March 17, 2016 Opening Reception Jordan Bennett: Mniku 6 p.m - 8 p.m at VPAG
Kate Healy, untitled, mixed media, Grade 12, VSS
Apr 21 - May 18, 2016 SD 22 Secondary Students: Art and Soul Art and Soul, a Vernon Public Art Gallery annual exhibition of artwork created by secondary students from School District #22, displays a maturity of handling various mediums and more importantly, demonstrates a strong conceptual approach. The works often communicates important messages referencing ecological and political concerns, or matters of relationships and elements from our daily lives.
Saturday March 19, 2016 Opening Reception SD 22 Elementary Students Art From the Heart 1 p.m - 3 p.m at VPAG Thursday April 21, 2016 Opening Reception SD 22 Secondary Students Art and Soul 6 p.m - 8 p.m at VPAG
Opening Reception, Thursday April 21, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Join us for the opening reception of Art and Soul; enjoy appies, sweet treats, punch and music compliments of the gallery.
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Art After Dark, February 26, 2016 | Next event date is in 8October 2016
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PROGRAMMING & EVENTS
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Tuesday April 5, 10 a.m Mini Artists
Tuesday April 12, 1 p.m Curator’s Tour
Calling all young creatives! Join us on the first Tuesday of every month for a diverse exploration of art-making 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 mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session, admission is by donation. For more information please contact our Educational Coordinator Kelsie at 250-545-3173 or email her at admin@vernonpublicartgallery.com
Join us at the gallery for a tour of Mniku, led by VPAG Curator, Lubos Culen. Mniku addresses a wide array of issues within contemporary indigenous discourses regarding history and indigenous artists’ practices both contemporary and historical. Immerse yourself in contemporary carvings, drawings and sound at Mniku. Enjoy a short presentation, followed by a guided exhibition tour, and question and answer session. Cookies, coffee and tea will be served compliments of the gallery. Call 250-545-3173 for more information.
PROGRAMMING & EVENTS
Monday May 2, 10 a.m Discuss & Create
Saturday May 7, 2016 Shop Local Day/Artist Demo
Join our Educational Coordinator for a tour, conversation, and contemporary art! On the first Monday of every month, age 55+ adults are invited to join us for a tour and discussion of the current exhibitions followed by a related art activity. Explore new ideas and engage creatively with arts and culture. All 55+ adults are welcome, enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies. Admission is by donation. For more information please contact our Educational Coordinator Kelsie at 250-545-3173 or email her at admin@vernonpublicartgallery.com
Join us at the VPAG gallery shop for a colourful pigment marker demonstration by local artist and adult colouring book illustrator, Nancy Vince. Enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies along with artist Q & A. Also enter to win a FREE one year family membership at VPAG. The gallery shop is open regular Saturday hours from 11 a.m to 4 p.m on shop local day.
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VPAG CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE AND TIME
EVENT NAME AND LOCATION
MARCH Thursday March 17, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m
Opening Reception: Mniku at VPAG
Saturday March 19, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m
Opening Reception: Art From the Heart at VPAG Live Model Drawing at VPAG
Thursday March 24, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m Saturday March 26, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturday, Impressionistic Watercolour Flowers at VPAG
APRIL Monday April 4, 10:00 a.m
Discuss and Create at VPAG
Tuesday April 5, 10:00 a.m
Mini Artists at VPAG
Tuesday April 12, 1:00 p.m
Curator’a Tour of Mniku at VPAG
Wednesday April 20, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m
Live Model Drawing at VPAG
Thursday April 21, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m
Opening Reception: Art and Soul at VPAG
Saturday April 30, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturay, Painting Mi’kmaq Symbols on Wood Panels at VPAG
MAY
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Monday May 2, 10:00 a.m
Discuss and Create at VPAG
Tuesday May 3, 10:00 a.m
Mini Artists at VPAG
Saturday May 7, 11:00 - 3:30 p.m
Shop Local Day/ Artist Demo at VPAG
Wednesday May 25, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m
Live Model Drawing at VPAG
Thursday May 26, 5:30- 6:00 p.m
VPAG AGM at VPAG
Thursday May 26, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m
Opening Reception: Joyce Devlin, UBCO BFA and Mackie House Artist in Residecny at VPAG
Saturday May 28, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturday, Imagined Garden Landscapes at VPAG
DATE AND TIME
EVENT NAME AND LOCATION
JUNE Monday June 6 10:00 a.m
Discuss and Create at VPAG
Tuesday June 7, 10:00 a.m
Mini Artists at VPAG
Saturday June 18, 11:00 - 4:00 p.m
VPAG in the Sunshine Festival on 30th Ave
Saturday June 25, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturday, at VPAG
JULY Monday July 4, 10:00 a.m
Discuss and Create at VPAG
Tuesday July 5, 10:00 a.m
Mini Artists at VPAG
Wednesday July 20, 6:30 - 11:00 p.m
30th Annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts at Turtle Mountain Winery
Thursday July 28, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m
Opening Reception: Julie Oakes, Malcolm McCormick, Lucas Glenn, and Cool Arts at VPAG
Saturday July 30, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturday, at VPAG
AUGUST Tuesday August 2, 10:00 a.m
Mini Artists at VPAG
Saturday August 6, 11:00 - 3:00 p.m
Take Part in Street Art at VPAG
Monday August 8, 10:00 a.m
Discuss and Create at VPAG
Saturday August 20, 7:00 - 11:00 p.m
The 8th Annual Riot on the Roof at the Downtwon Vernon Parkade Rooftop
Saturday August 27, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m
Family Saturday, at VPAG
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Discuss and Create March 7, 2016 | Next date is Monday April 4 at 10 a.m, see page 8 for more information. 15
THE GALLERY SHOP
$30
$15
$10 each $24
$24
$40 $25 16
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ART RENTAL & SALES
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Vincent Wright, Sunset on silverstar, 2015, acrylic on wood panel
isit the Art Rental webpage to view or download the VPAG Art Rental catalogue featuring a wide range of our collection with prices and information on each artwork.
Can you use Art Rental for home stagging and vacation homes? Yes. VPAG staff can help you select the perfect artwork for whatever your project needs are. Visit www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/artrental/ to view our online catalogue.
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Did you know‌ Studies (ie. Conference board of Canada; Vancouver Cultural Plan 2007) conclude that every dollar the municipality spends on arts and cultural activity results in between $7.00 and $13.00 in economic activity. Cover image: Jordan Bennett: Hunt Guide In Red Cedar, 2015, wood and acrylic, 12 x 12 x 2 in
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PREFERRED SUPPLIERS
Artisan Cheese
GALLERY MEMBERS The Vernon Public Art Gallery wishes to thank the following members for purchasing a new or renewed membership, January through March 2016: Anne-Marie Kanester Bernadette Kroft Carmen Laferriere Caryll Dyck Claus Larsen David Marcoux Dianne Farnsworth Galina & Daniel Labun Harold Rhenisch Heide Hirschkorn Johanna De Bruijn June Seed
Kathy MacKay Lynden Beesley Lynn & Charles Farrer Margaret Wernicke Marion Morrison Michael Jell Robyn Izard Rosalind Faasse Sharon McMurtry Susan Hodgson Toshie Okada Wanda and Gary Fisher
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES: President: Andrew Powell | Past President: Marion Morrison | Treasurer: Sean Strang Trustees: Sigrid-Ann Thors, Bonnie Thomas, Jay Gilman, Blaine McNaueal, Kathleen Dubois, Ann Holtby MacLeod and Edward Woolley. Executive Director: Dauna Kennedy Grant | Curator: Lubos Culen Marketing & Programming Coordinator: Laura Ashton |Administrative Assistant & Educational Coordinator: Kelsie Balehowsky 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
GALLERY MEMBERSHIP
Student $10.00 | Individual $31.50 | Family $42.00 | Corporate $50.00