Ulrich J. Wolff: There Must Be Life

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.

Ulrich J. Wolff

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to introduce the exhibition titled There Must Be Life produced by Ulrich J. Wolff. Based in Karlsruhe, Germany, the artist and educator is known for his vast range of images including 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’s also includes haunting portraits which reflect the mysteries of the human condition.

Winner of the 2021 Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT), a tri-annual exhibition rotating between the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the Kelowna Art Gallery, Ulrich J. Wolff, is set to attend the opening reception on March 14th at the VPAG. 

Egg Decorating inspired by Art from the Heart

We apologize for any inconvenience but Mini Artists has been cancelled.

This session will begin with a tour of the exhibition Art from the Heart, featuring artwork from elementary school students. After viewing the exhibition, we will be decorating eggs to celebrate the beginning of springtime!

Join us on the last Friday of every month for a diverse exploration of art-making materials and art processes through 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 that encourages creative self-expression while developing fine and gross motor skills and sensory awareness. Make sure you dress for the mess as all are invited to join in on the fun! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session and admission is by donation.

Fairy Wands inspired by Beautiful Parasites

Join us on the last Friday of every month for a diverse exploration of art-making materials and art processes through 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 that encourages creative self-expression while developing fine and gross motor skills and sensory awareness. Make sure you dress for the mess as all are invited to join in on the fun! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session and admission is by donation.

This session will begin with a tour of Tammy Salzl’s exhibition, Beautiful Parasites. Salzl’s work is inspired by surrealism, mythology, and folklore. After viewing the exhibition, we will make fairy wands!

Laurence Belzile

Laurence Belzile’s exhibition titled Through the Gardens features colorful abstract paintings with both softness and forcefulness. Born in Gaspésie, QC in 1994, Laurence Belzile now lives and works in Vancouver, BC. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University with a major in painting and drawing, and a Master of Fine Arts from Laval University.

Opening Reception on January 11 at the Vernon Public Art Gallery from 6:00 – 8:00 pm 

Join us on February 10th at 10:00 am for Drag Storytime, a fun all ages event featuring stories, songs, rhymes and an art activity, with award-winning drag artist, Freida Whales! Register for a chance to win a family membership to the Vernon Public Art Gallery!

Tammy Salzl

Tammy Salzl’s exhibition titled Beautiful Parasites is a multi-media installation consisting of paintings, sculptural objects, video, and sound composed by Canadian composer Greg Mulyk. Generally, there are several dominant themes in Salzl’s artwork. The artwork is a commentary on the human condition often associated with societal norms and status. Some of the works examine consequences of human stewardship within the frame of ecological damage caused by development of heavy industry. The portrayal of human protagonists and animals is almost grotesque with dark undertones inevitably resulting in the feeling of fear and anxiety. Salzl’s work is influenced by surrealist art resulting in dreamlike scenes populated by real and imagined creatures.

Opening Reception on January 11 at the Vernon Public ARt Gallery from 6:00 – 8:00 pm 

The Vernon Public Art Gallery hosts the spectacular fundraiser Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts for the 38th annual year!

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is a benefit event put on by the Vernon Public Art Gallery each July, which helps raise funds to support ongoing gallery exhibitions and programming. Last year we had an astounding 115 artists donate artwork, along with 50 generous companies/businesses donate towards the luxury and experience packages that were auctioned off at the event. 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 38^th annual fundraiser, and we are aiming to make this year the best yet!  

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, the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts has been our signature fundraising event, and this year, we’re excited to bring you another fantastic celebration of the arts.
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To make this event a success, we’re asking for your help! We kindly request a donation of one or two pieces of your recent artwork. Your contribution will not only enable us to provide quality exhibitions and programming but also bring visibility to the talent and creativity of our artist community.
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If you’re interested in donating your artwork, please fill out the Artwork Donation Form. We appreciate your support and can’t wait to showcase your artwork at our event.
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Thank you for helping us continue to promote and celebrate the arts in our community.

Join us for a vibrant evening of art and celebration at the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, as we support the future of the Vernon Public Art Gallery and its contributions to the arts and culture of Greater Vernon. Featuring local popular and breakthrough artists, this event promises to be a feast for the senses. Preview the spectacular pieces available at the MEA Auction Preview exhibition from June 26th to July 16th, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to support the art gallery and bid on a vast range of artworks and incredible experience packages generously donated by amazing artists and businesses.
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The silent auction will be open for bids until 11:00 pm on July 17th, 2024, with the live auction starting at 7:00 PM hosted by Valley Auctions’ Don Raffan. The funds raised during the live and silent auctions will provide crucial support to the Gallery throughout the year. 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 for their support.
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If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support of the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the arts in our community.