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 

Tickets for the 38th annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts are officially on sale, with limited seating available.

Ticket prices range from $100 – $150 (+fees and tax) for individual seats, or $600 (+fees and tax) for a VIP table of four.

All VIP tickets will come with a complimentary 1 year individual membership to the Vernon Public Art Gallery! Other benefits include premium seating at a table of four on the deck, along with a complimentary bottle of wine at the table.

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is a benefit event put on by the Vernon Public Art Gallery each July, and will be taking place this year at the stunning Paddlewheel Hall. 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 the art-loving community to come together and support a great cause. The impacts from this event are far reaching and only possible through the generosity of our local artists, businesses, volunteers and event attendees.

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 local BC wine, beer, 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.

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.