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.