May-July 2024 Newsletter

MAY - JULY 2024

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

Marketing & Events Coordinator: Chiara Mason Gallery Shop Attendant: Chantelle Bullen

Bookeeper: Tom Knight

Administrative & Development Coordinator: Brooklyn Kuzyk

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 four new exhibitions as we prepare to head into the summer season. Robert Fee’s Accidentals showcases many different styles of artistic expression. Fee’s paintings often include juxtaposition, surreal dynamics, and provide the opportunity to develop one’s own narrative upon viewing the work.

On behalf of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, I’m pleased to have the opportunity to present this work from select students from the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s BFA graduating class of 2024. This exhibition was developed by selecting pieces from the students’ final projects prior to graduation and highlights some of the top work coming out of our neighboring University.

Members of the VPAG’s very own Crit Club will have their work displayed in An Eclectic Collection, featuring pieces that have been workshopped during Crit Club sessions. Through Our Eyes is another exhibit featuring young artists from the Teen Junction Youth Centre. The focus of this exhibition is to give voices to youth and make statements about their lives and experiences in Vernon. Join us in supporting our young artists!

Our AGM will be taking place 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.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is set for July 17, 2024 and will be taking place at Paddlewheel Hall, beginning at 6:30pm. We are looking forward to having you join us for our annual arts fundraiser! Preview the spectacular pieces that will be available for purchase at the fundrasier ahead of time during the MEA Auction Preview exhibition, taking place at the Gallery from June 26 to July 16, 2024. More details about tickets coming soon!

Save the date for this year’s Riot on the Roof, taking place on August 24, 2024. Details to come.

See you at the VPAG!

Executive Director

Vernon Public Art Gallery

Dauna Kennedy

ENGAGE EXPLORE ENRICH

EXHIBITIONS

ROBERT FEE

Accidentals

MAY 23 - JULY 17

The exhibition titled Accidentals created by Robert Fee is a testament of the malleability of painting to marry different styles of artistic expression. In Fee’s painting, the viewer can sense multiple historical influences ranging from collage, Surrealism, Pop Art, and current post-modern paradigms. In his paintings, Fee often juxtaposes visual elements which are in constant flux and unanchored, giving the images a great dynamic quality and sense of movement. The images are composed of abstract forms often hinting at the presence of representational components.

The inspiration for the paintings comes from various sources. Some of them are based on observable realities which are then inserted into various narratives, often resulting in felt tension and visual discord. In the process of creating compositions, Fee’s conceptual strategy is aimed at creating spaces which can be 3D environments, but also reaffirming the flatness of the pictorial plane. The representational entities are placed in hybrid environments which do not fit together logically. In Fee’s compositions the pictorial spaces overlap, and the elements shift in scale. Some elements are animated, others suspended in different spaces of various densities. Though predominantly surreal in appearance, Fee’s works provide opportunities for the viewer to make meaning and compose their own narratives.

I have found the things, Robert Fee

UBCO BFA STUDENTS

MAY 23 - JULY 17

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is delighted to welcome graduating students from UBC Okanagan for the exhibition Emergence. This exhibition features works of ten artists who have completed their studies at UBC Okanagan’s BFA program in 2024. Emergence exemplifies various approaches to research and studio practice, and asserts artists’ active hands-on attitude while creating their work. This exhibition also incorporates multi-media, highlighting the various modalities that are used in contemporary means of artistic production.

Documentation photo of Emergence Exhibition, Aliana Voshell

Featured artists in the exhibition include Aliana Voshell, Amy Marui, Ari Pielecki, Audrey Allan, Carmen Bouvier, Karina Nardi, Katja Ewart, Nick Tai, Serena Arsenault, and Taylor Carpenter.

For the most part, the works in the exhibition were hand-made and as such carry strong associative elements. The works communicate ideas based on human experience and existence, our apprehension of physical and psychological spaces, but the conceptual strategies used by these artists also highlight the materiality of an art object. The exhibitions Context Not Included (2024 UBC Okanagan BFA Graduation Exhibition) and Emergence at the Vernon Public Art Gallery mark the end and the beginning of the young artists’ journeys into the realm of individual creativity, critical thinking, and an active studio practice. We are looking forward to sharing in this journey with the featured artists in Emergence.

VPAG CRIT CLUB

An Eclectic Collection

MAY 23 - JULY 17

Members of the VPAG Crit Club are excited to present An Eclectic Collection, which will be on view in the Up-Front Gallery space. Every month, the students gather to share their artwork for a group critique session, and partake in a workshop and presentation by an established guest artist. This collection will feature art pieces that have been workshopped through these sessions.

Home, Makayla Callender

TEEN JUNCTION

Through Our Eyes

MAY 23 - JUNE 21

Through Our Eyes is the annual exhibition by the youth at the Teen Junction Youth Centre. The focus of this exhibition is to give voices to youth and make statements about their lives and experiences in Vernon. Through Our Eyes is an affirmation of the importance of recognition, representation, collaboration and the arts.

Teen Junction, B.O

CALENDER OF EVENTS

sum mer summer 2024

EVENTS

OPENING RECEPTIONS

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

On June 26, join us for the Opening of the Auction Preview for Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts!

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

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.

SUNSHINE FESTIVAL

On June 15, VPAG will be taking part in the Vernon Sunshine Festival! Come check it out in downtown Vernon and celebrate the official kick-off to summer with us. The Sunshine Festival will take place along 30th Avenue and feature a music stage, over 100 vendors, children’s activities and the largest sidewalk sale in the North Okanagan.

RIOT ON THE ROOF

Save the date! Riot on the Roof is back for 2024, set to be your epic conclusion to summer. Join us on August 24 at the top of the Vernon Parkade to celebrate! More details to come soon.

MIDSUMMER’S EVE OF THE ARTS:

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is a benefit event put on by the VPAG each July, which helps raise funds to support ongoing gallery exhibitions and programming. Join us for a vibrant evening of art and celebration, as we support the future of VPAG and its contributions to the arts and culture of Greater Vernon!

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.

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!

Preview the spectacular pieces available at the MEA Auction Preview exhibition at the Gallery from June 26th to July 16th, 2024.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts will be taking place at Paddlewheel Hall beginning at 6:30 pm on July 17, 2024. The silent auction will be open for bids until 11:00 pm, with the live auction starting at 7:30 pm hosted by Valley Auctions’ Don Raffan, along with Beach Radio’s Brian and Rebecca. The funds raised during the live and silent auctions will provide crucial support to the Gallery throughout the year.

ARTS: ANNUAL FUNDRAISER EVENT

Our sincere thanks to this year’s Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts sponsors: Bannister Honda as our Presenting Sponsor, Clark Robinson Chartered Professional Accountants, Nixon Wenger LLP, along with our media sponsor: Beach Radio. A special thank you to our print sponsor: Wayside Co, along with Sunbelt Rentals for all the continued support. We would also like to thank Okanagan Springs, Arrowleaf Cellars, Gumtree Catering, and Uprooted Kitchen & Catering for their support.

If you’re interested in donating an original artwork, please visit our website for details: vernonpublicartgallery.com/artworksubmissionmea

Tickets will go on sale beginning June 1 with EarlyBird pricing starting at $75. Earl-bird VIP pricing will be $125 for individuals and $500 for a table of 4 people.

Prices are set to increase June 17, so make sure to get yours before they go up! Visit our website for details and to purchase tickets: www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/event/ midsummers-eve-of-the-arts

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. Sign up online at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/familysaturday

FAMILY SATURDAY SCHOOL TOURS

Our school programs 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. A new tour and workshop program is developed for the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer exhibitions, providing the opportunity for your class to visit our gallery at least four times each school year. Find more info at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/schoolprograms

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 Friday of every month for a diverse exploration of age-appropriate art activities. We invite parents and guardians to bring their little ones under the age of 5 to explore art making with non-toxic materials in this fun and social program. 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 work with the group for a critique session. Sign up online at www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/ critclub

NIGHT SCHOOL

Join Jaz and Sierra every third Thursday of the month from 6-8 PM for Night School, a platform for art critique tailored to adults. Come prepared with either a finished piece or work-in-progress. All artists, regardless of discipline or skill level, are warmly welcomed. Contact Sierra at education@ vernonpublicartgallery.com to enroll in Night School and embark on your creative journey with us.

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 privileges

• Access to Art Rental

Membership types:

• Individual

• Student

• Family (4 people)

• Corporate (5 people)

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

LANA SCHUSTER

Inside Out

JULY 25 - SEPTEMBER 17

Lana Schuster is a Vernon-based painter who has been painting full-time for the past ten years. With a minor arts degree in education from the University of Victoria, her interest in art from a young age has led her to careers in the arts and education all her life. With a great love for nature and exploring outdoors, Lana’s work is often driven by experiences in the open air.

Whether the subjects be landscapes, gardenscapes, flowers, or people, she often paints with acrylic, but also enjoys painting with oil, watercolour, charcoal, graphite, and sometimes mixing them up. Lana’s main interest in painting is abstracting her work to express the essence of an idea or image. The VPAG is looking forward to welcoming Lana’s work in the exhibition Inside Out!

Stirrings, Lana Schuster

SPONSORSHIP

VPAG SPONSORS

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

VPAG PARTNERS

We are grateful for the following ongoing partners that we work with:

Morning Star

Bannister Honda

Beach Radio 107.5

Wayside

Prestige

Sunbelt Rentals

Uprooted Kitchen & Catering Co.

Okanagan Spring Brewery

Gumtree Catering

Arrowleaf Cellars

Big Steel Box

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