History
History of the Vernon Public Art Gallery
The Vernon Public Art Gallery traces its roots back to 1945 when a group of citizens banded together to form the Travelling Pictures Committee. Its purpose was to organize and show local and travelling art exhibits.
From this committee, the Vernon Art Association was formed in 1951 and was run by Miss Jessie Topham Brown, a local art teacher, as president from 1951 – 1973. Art exhibitions during the period 1945 – 1966 were held in rented facilities, such as the basement of the old United Church. In 1966 the Vernon Art Association moved into the facilities now occupied solely by the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives. The need for permanent facilities was necessary to house the permanent collection, accepted from the City of Vernon in 1961 and turned over to the Gallery for storage and display purposes.
The permanent collection was a selection of visual art by local artists who had gained recognition for their talents outside the community. This collection has been added to over the years with purchases, bequests and donations and now numbers over 557 pieces. Title to the City’s portion of the permanent collection was transferred to the Gallery in 1988.
The Gallery was administered as a part of the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives until 1984 when the Topham Brown Public Art Gallery Society was formed with its own Board of Trustees.
In September of 1990, the Topham Brown Public Art Gallery Society officially changed its name to the Vernon Public Art Gallery Society to more closely reflect the Gallery’s ties to the North Okanagan Community and to better identify itself both within the community and beyond. For the sake of continuity and to honour the woman whose commitment to the visual arts was so strong throughout her years in Vernon, the main gallery within the Vernon Public Art Gallery has been named the Topham Brown Memorial Gallery.
From October 1990, the Gallery was situated in a temporary location on 30th street in the BC Access building. Total space increased from under 1000 square feet to approximately 2200.
In 1995, our 50th Anniversary year, the Vernon Public Art Gallery opened its doors in its present location at 3228 31st Ave, in the lower floor of the Parkade Building, downtown Vernon. The Gallery currently has over 5,000 square feet of space. The Vernon Public Art Gallery is handicap accessible and offers two exhibition spaces, a resource centre, video and art rental areas, and a gift shop. Public programming has increased to include films and videos, lectures, workshops, an extensive art education program, an expanded exhibition schedule and much more.
The Vernon Public Art Gallery continues to grow and create opportunities for local citizens and artists.
A vital and exciting institution within the district of the North Okanagan, the Gallery is a proud member of this community.
