News Release: Vernon Public Art Gallery Announces $1,000,000 Donation

News Release: April 25, 2025

Vernon Public Art Gallery Announces $1,000,000 Donation

(Vernon, BC)…. To recognize the value of art and support the work of the Vernon Public Art Gallery in the community, the Galbraith Family Foundation has pledged one million dollars to the Vernon Public Art Gallery as a legacy gift.  The funds will be used for the construction of the Gallery’s new home in the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre which will begin construction this summer.

The announcement was made by the family on behalf of their father George Galbraith and in honour of their mother, Caroline Galbraith. “Mom would be absolutely thrilled,” says son Kyle Galbraith describing how “art always played a big part of her life.” 

Son Ian Galbraith says the Vernon Public Art Gallery allowed her to “meet new friends, exercise her creativity and critical thinking, and get engrossed in the community.” They recognize the new Gallery will “be a place to bring people together and an absolute fantastic way to make Vernon an even greater place to live.”

Vernon Public Art Gallery Board Chair, Sarah Kennedy says, “The Galbraith family are  extremely generous in our community, and we recognize this leadership gift as a significant catalyst to our new facility and the fund-raising campaign overall. This Gallery’s move into a permanent space will allow us to better collect, preserve and exhibit art.”   

Executive Director, Dauna Kennedy expressed the Gallery’s genuine heartfelt appreciation to the Galbraith family saying, “This is such an iconic gift and the lasting impact it’s going to have on generations is immeasurable.” For example, the new Gallery will be able to offer visitors access to exhibits from various National and Provincial Galleries while also providing exciting new educational opportunities through the dedicated classroom space. “This gift is a bout a family recognizing the value of art and wanting to contribute in a significant way to enriching our community.”

The Galbraith Family will be recognized for their donation with the naming of the primary exhibition space which will be called The Caroline Galbraith Exhibition Hall. The family tells their story in the video below.

This generous legacy gift brings the total donations to $1.6 million reaching  30% of the $5.3 million goal of the recently announced Together4Culture fund-raising  campaign.  Donations are being raised by the community through events, activities, foundations, corporate and  personal donations.  Cash donations are tax-deductible for charitable purposes and pledges can be given now with payment over time as the project is scheduled to be completed in 2028. In addition to cash, securities and gifts-in-kind are welcome. For more information, visit together4culture.ca  website or email [email protected].

Construction of the Greater Vernon Cultural Center is scheduled to begin this summer in downtown Vernon. The new 31,000 sq ft facility will house the Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Vernon Museum and include a presentation space, classrooms, a gift shop, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.  The land and building will be owned by the Regional District of the North Okanagan through its Greater Vernon Cultural Services which is a partnership of The City of Vernon, The District of Coldstream, Area B and Area C of the Regional District. 

Media interviews may be arranged by contacting:                          

Dauna Kennedy,

Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery

Phone: (250)-307-5977

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Image details: installation view of David Wilson Sookinakin’s Pictograph Roots. Foreground: David Wilson Sookinakin, Seven Wariors – Canoe, 2024, Yellow Cedar and laser cut, powder coated metal, 60 x 84 x 36 in. Background: David Wilson Sookinakin, To the Land, 2023, 150 pcs, 12x12in, acrylic on canvas

Date: April 22, 2025

Canada Votes 2025

With election day approaching quickly approaching, VPAG’s Executive Director, Dauna
Kennedy, reached out to each of the candidates for the Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee
electoral district to learn where they stand on Culture.

“Culture in our community is at the forefront with the new cultural facility becoming a
reality in the near future. On behalf of the the cultural community in Vernon-Lake
Country-Monashee, I’d like to offer you the opportunity to answer the following
questions that we will then share with our network for their consideration in this federal
election.”

As of the time of publication we have received a response from one candidate whose answers
are published below.

Answers:

Anna Warwick Sears, Liberal Party Candidate

Can you outline your party’s policies for supporting arts & culture?

The Liberal Party of Canada has a long history of supporting arts and culture, we have:

• Committed $1.9 billion to support the arts, culture, heritage, and sport sectors through
• the pandemic to help them recover
• Created $200-million two-year Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative
• 2022 – Canada Arts and Culture Recovery Program (CACRP) – provided $50 million in
• 2022-23 to help Canadian arts, cultural and heritage organizations who experienced
• reduced revenues while dealing with capacity reductions and audiences hesitant to
• return to in-person activities, due to COVID-19.
• Funding currently available to support Arts &Culture:
• Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program
• Canada Arts Presentation Fund
• Canada Arts Training Fund
• Canada Book Fund
• Canada Cultural Investment Fund
• Canada Cultural Spaces Fund
• Canada History Fund
• Canada Media Fund
• Canada Music Fund
• Canada Periodical Fund
• Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program
• Canadian Conservation Institute internship programs
• Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
• Celebrate Canada
• Changing Narratives Fund
• Commemorate Canada
• Court Challenges Program
• Creative Export Canada
• Destination Clic – French Enrichment Bursary Program
• Digital Citizen Research Program
• Documentary Heritage Community Program
• Economic Development Initiative
• Exchanges Canada
• Explore – Second Language Bursary
• Film or Video Production Services Tax Credit
• Funding for Commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• Indigenous Languages and Culture Program
• Joint Initiatives for Digital Citizen Research
• List, Hear Our Voices initiative
• Local Journalism Initiative
• Movable Cultural Property Grants
• Multiculturism and Anti-Racism Program
• Museums Assistance Program
• National Acadian Day
• Odyssey – Language Assistant Program
• Official Languages Support Program
• Sport Canada Hosting Program
• Young Canada Works
• Youth Take Charge Program
• And the future support from the Liberal Party of Canada if elected is to:
• Pledge to protect Canada’s national identity by strengthening CBC / Radio Canada:
• In this time of crisis, protecting our identity is a critical part of keeping Canada strong
• Equipping them to further promote and support Canadian culture
• Evidence that the Liberals see arts and culture as a core part of the Canadian identity

How will you leverage the funding and programs provided by Heritage Canada,
including those through the Canada Council for the Arts, to support and enhance
cultural and heritage initiatives in our riding? What steps will you take to ensure the
organizations within the new cultural centre and throughout our riding benefit from
these resources?

If elected I would work to ensure a) that this funding remain in place to support Arts and
Culture across Canada and b) that our local community groups and organizations are aware
of these funding opportunities to help bridge the gap between funding and art installations,
event productions and cultural exhibits.

How do you plan to advocate for policies that will boost the cultural economy in
Vernon – Lake Country – Monashee and create sustainable growth?

The Liberal Government has always been a champion of Arts and Culture in our
communities, and we would continue to be a champion if elected. The Liberal Party of
Canada has pledged to protect Canada’s national identity by strengthening CBC / Radio
Canada:

• In this time of crisis, protecting our identity is a critical part of keeping Canada strong
• Equipping them to further promote and support Canadian culture
• Evidence that the Liberals see arts and culture as a core part of the Canadian identity

We understand the economic impact of arts and culture (see our answers below), and
because of this we understand what it takes to nurture and maintain sustainable growth in
this very important sector of our economy and our life as Canadians.

Economic Impact of Arts and Culture: What is your party’s stance on the economic
impact of arts and culture?

The Liberal Party of Canada understand that the arts make a vital contribution to our
economy; help improve overall health and well-being of Canadians; and strengthen society:

• The arts and culture sector contributes nearly $60 billion towards Canada’s GDP
• Almost 850,000 people work in cultural jobs in Canada. This is similar to the workforce
• in hospitals and more than two times that on farms
• Arts and culture tourism has triple the economic impact of other types of tourism
• The WHO found the arts play a major role in preventing, managing, and treating
• illnesses, as well as promoting health and well-being
• The arts can significantly reduce stress – after spending as little as 30 minutes with art.
• The overall health of Canadians is strongly linked to their participation in arts, culture,
• and heritage activities.
• Arts and culture participation boosts civic engagement, democracy, and social
• cohesion.
• People who participate in arts and culture feel a stronger sense of belonging in
• Canada.
• Arts and culture education improves students’ academic performance.

How do you propose to work with your counterparts at the provincial and municipal
levels to ensure that our cultural institutions remain vibrant?

I spent the last two decades of my professional life working with the many people and
organizations across government levels and sectors to achieve solutions, and I would do the
same for the people of Vernon – Lake Country – Monashee to ensure that our cultural
institutions remain vibrant. I am a collaborator by nature and would use this skill to benefit
the cultural institutions, and people in our riding.

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Image: Isabelle Hayeur, Pyrocumulonimbus, 2021

Date: March 10, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vernon Public Art Gallery Announces Upcoming Exhibitions, March 2025

Vernon, BC – The Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) is thrilled to announce a powerful and diverse series of exhibitions for the spring season. Featuring renowned artists and local talent, these exhibitions offer an exceptional opportunity for visitors to engage with timely themes of environmental change, creative expression, and youth art. All exhibitions will be on display at the Gallery from March through May 2025.

“It is with great pleasure that the Vernon Public Art Gallery presents Wild Times, an exhibition by the renowned Canadian artist Isabelle Hayeur. A visionary in environmental art, Hayeur’s large-scale photographic works provide a profound exploration of the consequences of climate change. Her works are a call to action, capturing the destruction of natural habitats through the lens of forest fires in British Columbia and Quebec during 2020 and 2021.

At the Vernon Public Art Gallery, we are committed to presenting works that inspire critical reflection on a variety of issues, and Isabelle’s work allows viewers the opportunity to consider issues around environmental sterwardship. Her photographs not only document the ecological aftermath of devastating fires but also challenge us to consider our role in shaping the future of our planet. We hope that this exhibition will spark meaningful conversations about how we can work together to protect our natural environments for future generations.” Said Executive Director, Dauna Kennedy.

Isabelle Hayeur: Wild Times

Image: Isabelle Hayeur, Steelhead Provincial Park 02, 2021

Exhibition on view from March 13 – May 13, 2025

Isabelle Hayeur’s exhibition Wild Times presents a compelling photographic exploration of landscapes ravaged by wildfire. Focusing on the destructive effects of human development and natural disasters, Hayeur’s work captures the devastating aftermath of forest fires in Quebec and British Columbia during the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons.

The exhibition features images taken from the largest wildfire in Quebec’s history, near Las Saint-Jean, and active fires in British Columbia in 2021. The photos highlight the apocalyptic scale of these fires, with towering smoke plumes obscuring the sun and changing the very appearance of the landscape. Satellite views emphasize the vast scale of the burning infernos, while Hayeur’s work critiques the management of forest ecosystems and the impact of climate change, particularly prolonged droughts.

Through her photographs, Hayeur indirectly advocates for prescribed burning as a natural and necessary process in maintaining a healthy forest ecosystem. The exhibition Wild Times is both a stark reminder of the existential risks we face due to environmental mismanagement and a call to action for more sustainable practices.

Art from the Heart

Image: Caleb T: Heart, mixed media collage, Hillview Elementary, Gr. 3

Exhibition on view from March 15 – April 10, 2025

The Art from the Heart exhibition celebrates the creativity and talent of elementary students from School District No. 22. Guided by their art teacher, these young artists have created an inspiring array of works that will delight viewers of all ages. The exhibition provides a glimpse into the vibrant imagination of the students and their ability to express themselves through various mediums.

The Art from the Heart exhibition will open on Saturday, March 16, with a special reception inviting the public to celebrate their achievements with artists and their families. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the next generation of creative talent and experience the joy and originality that these students bring to their art.

Art and Soul

Exhibition on view from April 17 – May 14, 2025

Art and Soul features the work of secondary school students from School District No. 22, showcasing a more mature approach to various art mediums and conceptual development. This exhibition highlights the depth of talent within the community’s youth, offering a rich and thought-provoking collection of work that demonstrates not only technical skill but a strong understanding of artistic expression.

This exhibition serves as a platform for young artists to present their work to the public and be celebrated for their creative vision and artistic growth. Art and Soul will open with a special reception on April 17.

Opening Receptions & Events

In addition to the exhibitions, the Vernon Public Art Gallery will host several exciting events, including artist talks, opening receptions, and community celebrations. Visitors are encouraged to join the opening receptions for Isabelle Hayeur: Wild Times on March 13, Art from the Heart on March 16, and Art and Soul on April 17.

Visitor Information:

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is located at 3228-31st Ave, Vernon, and is open Tues-Fri: 10am-5pm and Sat: 11am-4pm. Admission is by donation. For more information on upcoming events, exhibition schedules, and ticketing, please visit https://vernonpublicartgallery.com/.

About the Vernon Public Art Gallery

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is the premier visual arts institution in Vernon, BC, dedicated to engaging the community through art exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural activities. With a focus on both regional and national artists, VPAG fosters an appreciation for contemporary art in a welcoming and accessible environment.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:

Paula Irving

Marketing & Events Coordinator

[email protected]

250 545 3173

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Image: David Wilson Sookinakin, White Birch Creek Fish Chief, 2023

Date: January 23, 20254

Media Release

It’s a busy New Year at the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

The VPAG is hosting three exhibitions through March 5 “that celebrate diverse narratives and artistic practices.”

“From exploring Indigenous heritage to unpacking cultural identity and fostering community connections, these exhibitions offer something for everyone,” the VPAG said in a press release.

David Wilson Sookinakin: Pictograph Roots

Renowned Syilx artist David Wilson Sookinakin presents Pictograph R0-oots is a series of paintings that reinterpret traditional pictographs found throughout Syilx Nation Territory.

Sookinakin’s style blends ancient symbols with contemporary form lines, creating a dynamic visual language that bridges past and present. His work honours the oral storytelling traditions of his ancestors and reflects on the post-contact experiences of First Nations peoples.

“My art is ever-evolving and a true representation of my identity as an Interior Salish person,” says Sookinakin. “It’s a natural evolution of pictographs, transforming their ancient forms into contemporary interpretations. Through art and words, I tell stories that celebrate our unique and vibrant First Nations art forms.”

The exhibition includes pieces such as White Birch Creek – Fish Chief (2024), an acrylic on canvas work that shows his signature style.

Chrystal Phan: Once for a While

Once for a While features the narrative oil paintings of the Vietnamese-Canadian artist. Using personal and family experiences, Phan aims to capture the poignant, humorous and often awkward moments of cultural integration. Her work challenges stereotypes of Canadian identity while asking viewers to reflect on their own lives through intimate and relatable narratives.

The series includes works such as Turkey Dinner (2021), which portrays the challenges of blending cultural traditions in everyday family life.

“By sharing these stories, I hope to collapse the boundary between public and private experiences so that viewers can find connections in these moments of cultural collision,” Phan says.

Home on Syilx Territory

In collaboration with the Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society, Home on Syilx Territory showcases the creative outcomes of a four-day workshop series. Facilitated by Syilx Nation members Mariel Belanger and her daughter Sienna, the workshops introduced newcomers to the visitor protocols, cultural practices, and traditions of the Syilx people. Participants explored allyship, traditional Tule mat-making, and the cultural significance of marshlands.

The exhibition features collages created by workshop participants, emphasizing appreciation of culture and the importance of building relationships through art. Among the featured works is Pack Autonomy: Family Connections (2024) by Mariel Belanger, a collage on canvas that symbolizes the deep connections between family, land, and community.

The VPAG, 3228 31 Ave., is open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The gallery is closed Sunday.

Media Release: VPAG Breaks Records, Raising over $80,000!

Date: July 19, 2024

Media Release

For Immediate Release

The Vernon Public Art Gallery Breaks Records, Raising over $80,000.

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is proud to announce the success of its 38th annual fundraiser, Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, held on July 17, 2024. The event raised an impressive total of over $80,000!! Thank you to all attendees who came together to support the VPAG and our local arts community.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts featured artwork generously donated by over 60 talented artists, along with over 80 businesses far and wide contributing luxury items and packages. With a total of 133 packages and original artworks available for bidding, the VPAG is so impressed by the community’s dedication and passion for the arts!

The top sellers of the night recognized for their exceptional contributions to the art auctions include: Heidi Thompson with her painting Sun Jewel, which received the highest bid at $3,900. The next top sellers were pieces by Briar Craig and Rick Bond, which sold for $3,000 and $2,800 respectively. Following closely were pieces donated by Bryan Ryley and Barbara Fresz, which garnered $2,300 and $2,200 respectively. Each item sold contributed significantly to the overall success of the event.

Our top-grossing silent auction item included a stay at Halcyon Hot Springs which sold for $650. Other top items included travel packages to Whitehorse, Victoria, and Revelstoke – with the silent auction alone raising over $12,000.

The evening was complimented by delectable appetizers, generously provided by Gumtree Catering, Uprooted Kitchen and Catering, and Olive Us. Attendees enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine at the door from Arrowleaf Cellars, and had more tasty beverages available from Okanagan Springs, Lass Chance Beverages, and Starbucks. Entertainment was provided by local musician Old Man Junkins, followed by our lovely hosts from Beach Radio, Rebecca and Brian. The live auction was hosted by the incomparable Don Raffan, and was a site to be seen! Thank you to all of our partners who contributed to a wonderful evening.

“This event truly is a community event. It could not happen if the community didn’t come together each and every year to help make it happen,” says Executive Director Dauna Kennedy. “There are so many to thank, you know who you are, I am just so overwhelmed with the support we receive for the work we do in the community around the visual arts. Funding through grants is just not keeping pace with inflation and we couldn’t continue to provide all we do without this event taking place, and through the generosity of all who participated.” – Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Thank you again to all who attended and participated in the fundraiser. A final thank you to Bannister Honda for being our presenting sponsor, as well as our sponsors Clark Robinson Chartered Professional Accountants, Nixon Wenger LLP, Beach Radio, Wayside Co, and all friends of the gallery.

All photography provided by Doucette Photography

Media Release: VPAG Welcomes Back 2 Renowned Artists

Date: July 9, 2024

Media Release

For Immediate Release

The Vernon Public Art Gallery Welcomes Back Two Incredible Artists this July for new Exhibitions.

On from July 25^th – September 17^th 2024, the VPAG opens two new exhibitions featuring renowned artists Glenn Clark and Lana Schuster.

Descent Into Classicism by Glenn Clark features portraits that are large-scale and exquisitely modeled. Many paintings depict the personification of the struggle for the environment, resulting in death and nature’s degradation. Trueto the Classicist aesthetic, Clark paints with the emphasis on form, proportion, clarity of structure, and perfection. The paintings are emotionally charged, inviting the viewers to engage and piece together strings of possible narratives about the protagonist and their environments.

“On behalf of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, I’m very pleased to welcome back artist Glenn Clark, with his exhibition Descent Into Classicism. This exhibition, which was inspired by Classicism and Neo-classicism, features large-scale ultra-realistic paintings focused on environmental issues and the human condition. You may also find some political undertones as you explore this exhibition.” – Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Inside Out by Lana Schuster plays with paint, texture, imagery, and abstraction. Lana embraces colour, form, and the guidance of her intuition in her work. Getting lost in the process of painting often leads to a surprise, resulting in something non-objective emerging. What you see in Lana’s work is an expression of an experience, a record of a moment in time, something that may have passed but truly lives on within the painting. Viewers will feel and experience something that resonates, and draw their own meaning from viewing the work.

An Opening Reception will take place on July 25^th from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. The VPAG invites the community to attend this reception to celebrate the new exhibitions, along with welcoming the exhibiting artists who will be in attendance and will give a short talk about their work. Light bites and drinks will be served and entry is by donation.

Media Release: The VPAGs Most Anticipated Summer Event is Back!

Date: May 31, 2024

Media Release

For Immediate Release

The Vernon Public Art Gallery’s most anticipated event of the summer is back for the 38th year!

The 38th annual art auction: Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts will be taking place at the stunning Paddlewheel Hall this year, on July 17th, 2024. The event will feature a collection of curated artwork generously donated by local artists and all proceeds will support the VPAG’s purpose of connecting our community to the creative presence and possibilities within the visual arts through its exhibitions and activities.

As Vernon’s longest-running art auction, the annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts fundraiser is a staple event in the Greater Vernon community, providing an opportunity for art enthusiasts and philanthropists to support a great cause. Every year, the VPAG brings the art-loving community together with this exciting art auction gala, attracting 200+ guests annually. Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts showcases the diverse talents of local artists, whose works are auctioned off to raise funds for the VPAG’s exhibitions and programs. The impacts from this event are far reaching and only possible through the generosity of our local artists, businesses, volunteers and event attendees.

“It’s that time of year again! That special time when artists, volunteers, businesses and supporters all come together for a magical evening supporting the arts in Greater Vernon.’ said Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director, VPAG. ‘Creative and critical thinking skills are even more in our current society of social media & AI content. Now more than ever the need to critically analyze what we see is crucial to our development and understanding of the world around us. The work we do at the VPAG provides that opportunity to explore alternative views and challenge what we see presented and we couldn’t do this important work without the support we receive each year through Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts. I am humbled to witness each year the level of generosity that Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts produces in support of the VPAG and the work we do in our community. I am thankful to live in a community that values the arts and recognizes its importance in enriching our lives.” – Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director of the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

The event will feature a live auction filled with one-of-a-kind works of art available for bidding, and a silent auction with unique luxury packages donated from businesses far and wide including multiple travel packages to destinations like the Yukon, Victoria, Revelstoke and many more! Attendees can bid during the live and silent auctions while enjoying the ambiance of Paddlewheel, complete with music and captivating scenery. Attendees will be welcomed to the event with a complimentary glass of bubbly and have the chance to enjoy exquisite local BC wine, Beer provided by Okanagan Springs, and delicious hors d’oeuvres catered by Uprooted Kitchen and Catering, and Gumtree Catering. Thank you to our partners for their support of this event.

Thank you to Bannister Honda for being the 2024 Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts presenting sponsor! Along with our sponsors Clark Robinson Chartered Professional Accountants, Nixon Wenger LLP, Beach Radio, Wayside Co, and Don Raffan from Valley Auctions.

Tickets are on sale now – get yours before they sell out!

Media Release: VPAG Opens 4 New Exhibitions in May 2024

Date: May 13, 2024

Media Release

For Immediate Release

The Vernon Public Art Gallery Welcomes 4 New Exhibitions in May

On from May 23^rd – July 17^th 2024, the VPAG opens four new exhibitions featuring recent Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduating Students from the University of British Columbia Okanagan, Robert Fee, Members of the VPAG Crit Club, and Members of the Teen Junction.

The exhibition Emergence features works of artists who have completed their studies at UBC Okanagan’s BFA program in 2024. This exhibition showcases a range of hands-on approaches in research and studio practice, including digital technologies used in contemporary artistic production. The majority of works in the exhibition were hand-made, highlighting the materiality of the work, while exploring conceptual ideas of human experience, existence, and physical and psychological spaces. The works in this exhibit mark the end and the beginning of the young artists’ journeys into the realm of individual creativity, critical thinking, and an active studio practice.

“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.” – Dauna Kennedy, Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Accidentals by Robert Fee refers to the musical term indicating a temporary shift in a musical composition. At first this temporary change may be a mystery, but there is an underlying meaning: what might have seemed a random change always has a purposeful intention. These dynamics are explored in Fee’s work through juxtaposed and shifting images, composed of overlapping abstract forms, creating tension within each piece. Fee draws on a range of influences including surrealism, pop art, and current post-modern paradigms in his work. Though predominantly surreal in appearance, Fee’s works provide opportunities for the viewer to make meaning and compose their own narratives.

Members of the VPAG Crit Club are excited to present An Eclectic Collection, which will be on view in the Up-Front Gallery space. Crit Club was developed by VPAG Learning and Community Engagement Curator, Sierra Bronkhorst, who saw a need for a critique program within the community for aspiring young artists. 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, now on display for the public to enjoy.

Through Our Eyes is a unique community-based project by the youth at the Teen Junction Youth Centre in partnership with the Vernon Public Art Gallery. The Teen Junction Youth Centre is an after-school drop-in program that offers a safe space for youth to relax, connect, and learn. They partner with community organizations to connect youth with additional resources, such as support from the VPAG for emerging artists working outside of mainstream production. The focus of this exhibition is to give voice to youth and make statements about their lives and experiences in Vernon. We all have a unique voice and presence in our community and Through Our Eyes is an affirmation of the importance of recognition, representation, collaboration, and the arts.

An Opening Reception will take place on May 23^rd from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. The VPAG invites the community to attend this reception to celebrate the four new exhibitions, along with welcoming the exhibiting artists who will be in attendance and will give a short talk about their work. Light bites and drinks will be served and entry is by donation.

Date: March 1, 2024

Media Release

For Immediate Release

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 tri-annual 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.

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.