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 their completed or in-process artwork(s) with the group for a critique session.
Crit Club members will also have an opportunity to exhibit their artwork at VPAG.
Samantha, our Learning and Community Engagement Curator is happy to answer any questions about the program at [email protected]
Teachers are invited to join us for Cheers & Chat on Wednesday, September 17 at 4:00pm at the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
This special gathering will offer an exclusive preview of our upcoming exhibitions and an overview of the educational programming available for the 2025/2026 school year. It’s a great opportunity to learn how these exhibitions and resources can enhance your students’ learning experiences.
Enjoy a complimentary drink while we share exciting new opportunities and discuss how the gallery can support your classroom.
Join exhibiting artist Rhonda Neufeld for a live demonstration of her large-scale multi-block woodcut printmaking process. This in-depth session will focus on the hand-printing techniques used to create the works featured in Leaving Home, offering insight into the artist’s meticulous and physical approach to printmaking.
Rhonda will begin by sharing how she develops her imagery, selects her woodblocks, and carves the image using specialized tools. The emphasis will be on her method of hand-printing (without a press) highlighting the challenges and precision required to produce consistent editions.
The demonstration will also include a discussion of:
Creating and using a registration template
Selecting papers suitable for hand-printing
Ink qualities and mixing
Tools such as brayers and glass inking surfaces
Safe cleaning methods for blocks and tools
Attendees are encouraged to arrive promptly at 1:00 pm to experience the full demonstration. A Q&A session with the artist will follow.
This event is produced in conjunction with First Friday Art Trail. To learn more about First Fridays and discover other participating artists, visit their website here: https://firstfridayokanagan.com/
Join us at the gallery on Thursday, September 11, at 6 pm to discover the stories behind Leaving Home, a deeply reflective exhibition by artist Rhonda Neufeld. In this artist talk, Neufeld will share insights into her creative process, her connection to the land, and the experiences that have shaped her practice. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with the artist and explore the themes of place, memory, and belonging.
Topham Brown Memorial Gallery July 25 to September 24, 2025
Opening Reception: July 24 from 6-8 PM Artist Demo: September 5 from 1-3 PM (part of First Friday’s Art Trail) Artist Talk: September 11 from 6-7 PM
In Leaving Home, artist Rhonda Neufeld shares a deeply personal body of work that reflects on her connection to the landscape she called home for over 40 years. Through walking, touching, and closely observing the natural world around her, Neufeld captures the details of place—tree bark, stone surfaces, shifting light—and translates them into prints that hold both memory and presence.
Using traditional printmaking techniques, Neufeld makes rubbings directly from trees and rocks, transferring those impressions onto copper plates, wood blocks, and lithographic stones. The result is a series of works that feel both grounded and poetic, inviting viewers to slow down and experience the land in a more intimate way.
This exhibition is a quiet celebration of place, a reflection on the joy of being close to nature, and a way of saying goodbye to a landscape that shaped a lifetime of artmaking.
The MEA Auction Preview offers a first look at the full collection of artworks generously donated by local and regional artists in support of the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s annual MEA fundraising auction.
Installed in the gallery throughout the month leading up to the event, this exhibition invites visitors to experience the artworks in person, explore a wide range of creative practices, and learn more about the participating artists. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time bidder, the preview provides the perfect opportunity to plan your bids in advance and support the arts in your community.
Don’t miss this chance to discover new artists, connect with the gallery, and help ensure the continued success of one of VPAG’s most important fundraising events of the year!
January 8, 2026 
