Vernon Public Art Gallery

Emergence
2026-05-29 10:00 - 2026-07-25 16:00 (America/Vancouver)
Averi Boerboom, Trinity Davis, Rain Doody, Carly Johnson, Clifford Jasper Ozee, Stevie Poling, and Maya Taki

Topham Brown GalleryMay 29 – July 25, 2026

Opening Reception: May 28 from 6 to 8 pm

For over two decades, the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s annual Emergence exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with the University of British Columbia Okanagan, offering a first professional platform for a selection of graduating BFA and BMS students. More than a showcase, Emergence has come to function as a kind of barometer—an early signal of the material, conceptual, and aesthetic directions shaping the next wave of contemporary practice.

The 2026 exhibition features work by Averi Boerboom, Trinity Davis, Rain Doody, Carly Johnson, Clifford Jasper Ozee, Stevie Poling, and Maya Taki—seven artists whose practices reflect both the diversity and urgency of this year’s graduating cohort.

This year’s work is notably ambitious. Across disciplines, it is large, loud, and unapologetically present. Installation-based practices dominate, with artists constructing immersive environments that invite viewers not just to observe, but to enter—worlds built through accumulation, texture, and spatial awareness. Sculpture and painting also play a significant role, foregrounding process and the visible trace of the artist’s hand. In a moment increasingly defined by the rise of artificial intelligence and digital production, these works insist on labour, material presence, and embodied making.

What emerges across these practices is a shared investment in the deeply personal. Whether grappling with memory and loss, the fading textures of childhood, queer identity, inherited histories, or the instability of perception, each artist engages with what it means to be human in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. From Boerboom’s tender meditations on memory and Alzheimer’s, to Doody’s embrace of the grotesque and imperfect, to Taki’s negotiation of mixed heritage through material and form, the works collectively resist detachment in favour of vulnerability and specificity.

If Emergence offers a glimpse of what is to come, then the future of contemporary art is not quiet or minimal—it is expansive, materially grounded, and insistently human.

Averi Boerboom

Averi Boerboom’s printmaking and installation practice centers on memory and nostalgia, rooted in vivid childhood experiences with her grandmother. As a child, she would explore her grandmother’s closet, draping scarves around her shoulders, layering jewelry over her small hands, and stepping into oversized heels. These sensory memories, filled with scent, texture, and presence, formed a deep connection that later shaped her understanding of her grandmother’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Boerboom transforms personal recollections into layered prints and installations using lace, ribbon, buttons, and clothing patterns printed on evolon and Stonehenge paper. Through material cutouts and carefully composed arrangements, she echoes the structure and intimacy of her grandmother’s wardrobe. Neutral tones and delicate fabrics carry sentimental weight, evoking both closeness and absence.

By engaging with the intersection of remembering and forgetting, Boerboom’s work preserves fleeting moments, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragments of memory that endure over time.

Frilly Tank, 2026

Alice (Detail), 2026

Alice (Detail), 2026

Trinity Davis

Trinity’s work explores themes of childlike wonder and unrestrained creativity-qualities that shaped her earliest memories. As a child, imagination came naturally as she built worlds with toys and immersed herself in the colour and charm of illustrated books. Over time, however, that sense of wonder faded as adulthood introduced responsibilities, expectations, and the pressures of sustaining a future. Celebrations once filled with excitement, such as holidays and birthdays, gradually became quieter, often overshadowed by everyday concerns.

Through her printmaking practice, Trinity confronts this loss and works to restore a sense of awe. Her prints are multilayered collaged compositions that distort, reassemble, and enlarge imagery drawn from childhood books and illustrations. Small images are amplified into monumental forms, transforming familiar visuals into immersive experiences.

By enlarging halftones, dots, and printed textures, Trinity reveals the structure behind these imagined worlds, inviting viewers to reconnect with nostalgia, curiosity, and wonder.

A Page Out of My Book (Detail), 2026

A Page Out of My Book (Detail), 2026

A Page Out of My Book (Detail), 2026

Rain Doody

Rain Doody is a multimedia artist working mainly through sculpture and caricature. In his work, he experiments through usage of raw vs polished materials, and toes the line of the jank. He draws inspiration from acne scars, mole hairs, folds and shades of skin, and the muppets.

“My vision is inter dimensional beings have noticed the ridiculosity in humans self-inflicted suppression. Why must everything be tiny, smooth, and minimalist? Humans are losing their most interesting parts; so they’ve infiltrated this plane to shock us back into our factory settings.”

Growing up queer in the 2000s, Rain explores the effect of social media on self expression and perception. He embraces the strange and unusual through texture and colour, and creates ‘perfectly janky’ works to reflect the unique delight in imperfection.

Coke Float (Left), 2025, and Don’t taste the batter (Right), 2026.

Coke Float (Detail), 2025

Carly Johnson

Carly Johnson’s body of work stems from an interest in the theme of the contrast of lighting in night scenes, and a fear of what lurks in the dark; physically and metaphorically. She decided to reach out of her comfort zone to create a body of work that specifically incorporates dark lighting and themes of discomfort, encompassing the uncertainty of the unknown through oil paints on canvas. The locations painted are all places that hold meaning to her, whether it is simply close to her childhood home, or local places that hold a deeper, significant impact.

Carly works by capturing her own reference images, typically shot around the Rutland community. Having a personal connection to the photo and painting itself helps to establish a sense of nostalgia for her. She hopes to explore ways in which she can further the narrative of something potentially lurking, and a feeling of mystery in her paintings.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game, 2026

Another Bridge to Cross, 2026

Clifford Jasper Ozee

Clifford Ozee is a sculptor whose work centers on the fabrication and transformation of steel. His practice is built through hands on experimentation and a close engagement with the physical behavior of the material. Using welding, plasma-cutting, and hydroforming, he pushes steel beyond what can be shaped by hand alone, learning its limits through repeated trials of pressure, heat, and force.

Ozee’s current work focuses on hydroformed ampersands, the

“and” symbol. Each form is carefully fabricated and finished through mirror polished stainless steel and powder coating in bright primary colors. The work emphasizes precision and craftsmanship while acknowledging the subtle distortions created by pressure.

Through disciplined fabrication and repetition, Ozee develops forms that reveal both the strength and vulnerability of steel. Each sculpture reflects a commitment to process, technical skill, and refinement within a demanding material.

M2, 2026

M1 (Detail), 2026

Installation image of M1, M2, and S1 (Detail), 2026

Stevie Poling

Stevie Poling is a queer multimedia artist working primarily with fibre and textile materials. She was born in the Kootenays and grew up in Melbourne, Australia. Stevie practices textile manipulation through an interdisciplinary feminist and queer lens, viewing the medium as an “inherently, unavoidably female and/or queer practice”. The connections made within sewing communities is manifested in the way fibres are woven and tangled together to form a garment or artwork.

She is inspired by her Mum, Samantha, who is a quietly counter-cultural feminist, an antique collector, and photographic artist. Samantha’s love of history and oddities found its way inherently interwoven into Stevie’s practice, visualised in her maximalist exploration of themes of domesticity and patriarchal expectations and, further, the Abject (Julia Kristeva) and embodiment. Stevie’s work aims to evoke a playtul sense of scale and gesture while counterbalancing its aesthetic with dichotomous feminist and queer discourse.

And an even better house plant (Installation), 2026

And an even better house plant (Installation), 2026

Maya Taki

Maya Taki is a sculptor and painter who works primarily in oil paint and steel. Her work explores iconic Japanese imagery popular in tattooing.

Working with designs that she creates digitally, she transforms them to large steel cutouts with several layers that she uses as painting supports. Blending sculptural language with painting, she works across mediums to merge her interests together. A recurring theme in Maya’s work is identity, and the tensions that come along with being from a mixed heritage. Combining traditional styles and ways of making art with a contemporary lens has been a way for her to learn more about her ancestry while also including a perspective as someone who grew up and currently lives in Canada.

Balancing Act (Sensu), 2026

Reading Between the Lines, 2026

Through Our Eyes
2026-05-29 10:00 - 2026-07-29 17:00
Teen Junction

Up-front GalleryMay 29 – July 29, 2026

Opening Reception: May 28 from 6 to 8 pm

hrough Our Eyes is an exhibition of artwork by youth from BGC Okanagan’s Teen Junction Youth Program. For years, Teen Junction and the Vernon Public Art Gallery have collaborated to create space for the voices and experiences of Vernon’s youth to be shared through art.

Teen Junction is a dynamic, low-barrier environment where youth are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to build confidence, develop relationships, and explore creative expression. The works presented in Through Our Eyes reflect the importance of these spaces, demonstrating how art can become a powerful tool for self-expression, communication, and connection.

This year’s exhibition explores the contrast between how youth feel they are perceived by society and how they truly see themselves. Through drawing, painting, mixed media, and personal storytelling, the artists challenge assumptions, share lived experiences, and reclaim their own narratives with honesty and vulnerability. Together, the works invite viewers to look beyond stereotypes and encounter these young people through a lens of resilience, individuality, and humanity.

Special thanks to the staff and mentors at BGC Okanagan for the care, encouragement, and support they provide to youth in our community, and to Sara Isaac, whose dedication and leadership continue to guide and shape this exhibition each year.

Crit Club
2026-05-29 15:30 - 17:00
Date & Time: May 29, 2025, 3:30–5:00 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: TeensAdmission: Free + Pizza included!About the ProgramCrit Club is a free, hands-on workshop for high school students. Each month, a different local artist leads a session where teens can try new materials, explore techniques, and share their work in a relaxed, no-judgment space.

All supplies are provided, and there’s pizza to enjoy during a mid-session break. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Crit Club is a fun space to create, connect, and be inspired!

RSVPs are encouraged so we know how much pizza to order — but walk-ins are welcome!

RSVP for May’s Crit Club

Learn more about Crit Club

Family Saturdays
2026-05-30 13:00 - 14:30
Date & Time: March 30, 2026, 1:00 – 2:30 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: Kids of all agesAdmission: Individuals: $3/members $5/non-members.Families (4 or more): $10/members $14/non-members.

Join us for Family Saturdays, a fun, hands-on art program for kids of all ages and their caregivers. Explore art, learn new skills, and create together in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

Each session begins with a short tour of the current gallery exhibition led by Samantha, our Learning and Community Engagement Curator. After the tour, families participate in guided, hands-on art projects inspired by the exhibition. Materials are provided — all you need is art-appropriate clothing and a willingness to get creative!

Family Saturdays is designed to foster creativity, connection, and a sense of community. Everyone is welcome to participate, whether it’s your first time making art or you’re a seasoned creator.

Parents or guardians must accompany children for the duration of the session.Register online to ensure space and materials:

register for May’s family Saturday

learn more about family saturday

Opening Reception: MEA Auction Preview
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00
Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2026Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art Gallery

The MEA Auction Preview Opening Reception 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! Guests are warmly welcomed to connect with fellow community members, enjoy light refreshments and beverages, and celebrate the launch of these wonderful exhibitions together. Admission is by donation. All contributions support the Gallery’s exhibitions, programs, and commitment to enriching the cultural life of our region.

Photo credit right: SVOI Media

MEA Auction Preview
2026-06-26 10:00 - 2026-07-11 16:00
Community GalleryJune 25 – July 11, 2026

Opening Reception: June 25 from 6 to 8 pm

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!

Midsummer's Eve of the Arts
2026-07-15 18:00 - 23:00
Tickets Available May 15th

Join us Wednesday, July 15th, at 6pm – late at Coldstream Community Hall as the Vernon Public Art Gallery hosts the spectacular fundraiserMidsummer’s Eve of the Arts.

Artist Submission Form

Collectors Submission Form

Non-Art Donations

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 Coldstream Community Centre. 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! Attendees can bid during the live and silent auctions while enjoying the ambiance of Coldstream Community Hall and grounds, complete with music and captivating scenery. Attendees will be welcomed to the event with a complimentary cocktail and have the chance to enjoy local BC wine, beer, and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Thank you to our partners for their support of this event.

Volunteer at MEA

MEA 2026 Presented by Bannister Honda

Images by SVOI Media. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at marketing@vernonpublicartgallery.com. Thank you for your continued support of the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the arts in our community.

2025 MEA Feature Sponsors

PREVIOUS CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Vikki Drummond

Jay Page

Maryanne Jesperson

Sherry Kalloch

Serena Arsenault

Barbara Fresz

Michelle Loughery

Rachel Prins

Wanda Lock

Destanne Norris

Sheri Minard

Gabrielle Strong

Jolene Mackie

Ricardo Levia

Nathalie Coulombe

Angelika Jager

Sarah Lewke

James Postill

Riot on the Roof
2026-08-22 19:00 - 23:00
Save the Date: August 22, 2026 | 7–11 PM

Hosted by the Vernon Public Art Gallery, Riot on the Roof is Vernon’s signature alternative arts festival and one of the Okanagan’s most unique end-of-summer events. Taking place on the top two levels of a Downtown Vernon parkade, Riot transforms an everyday urban space into a high-energy celebration of creativity, music, and performance.

Now entering its 18th year, Riot on the Roof showcases emerging artists working across a wide range of artistic forms. Each year’s lineup is different, with past festivals featuring live music, visual art, video and film, spoken word, performance, dance, drag, installation art, wearable art, interactive experiences, and more — all unfolding throughout the evening in a dynamic, open-air setting.

Designed to be informal, accessible, and community-driven, Riot on the Roof invites audiences to wander, discover, and engage with artists up close. It’s a rare chance to experience bold, experimental work in a relaxed and welcoming environment, right in the heart of downtown.

Call for Artists: Apply Now

Riot on the Roof is an all-ages event and an affordable way to celebrate the creativity and diversity of Vernon’s growing arts and culture scene.

More details, including programming highlights and ticket information, will be shared closer to the event. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date.

Instagram

Tickets coming soon.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Leaving a Lasting Legacy
2026-09-17 13:00 - 14:00
Date & Time: September 17, 2026, 1:00–2:00 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: All agesAdmission: Free

You don’t have to be a Millionaire, or even Old, to think about your legacy now!

Have you ever thought about how you could make your estate larger by doing some smart tax planning now?

Have you ever wondered about what sort of a legacy you want to leave behind once your kids and family are taken care of?

Have you ever hoped you could set an example for those close to you to follow in your footsteps by giving to the community?

This inspiring introductory workshop will introduce you to the simple steps of how and why to add Planned Giving into your estate planning. By doing so you will create a lasting legacy for future generations while also saving taxes and growing your hard-earned estate.

This free one-hour workshop hosted by Vernon Public Art Gallery gives you:

An overview – what is Planned Giving and how it works?

Legal mechanics of estate planning

Tax saving opportunities – while you are living and when you pass

What you can do right away to plan for life time income

The Vernon Public Art Gallery as a potential beneficiary – why and how

Followed by an optional tour of the Vernon Public Art Gallery with the Executive Director and Curator.Note: This workshop is not designed to give you advice on your personal situation but to overview the process of planned giving, avoid typical pitfalls and help set next steps.

Click Here to Register

Other Upcoming Dates:November 16, 2026 – Tuesday 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Workshop led by

Tom Christensen K.C Nixon Wenger

Tom started his legal career in Vernon in 1996. He took a leave from practice from 2001 to 2009 to serve as MLA for Vernon-Monashee and held a number of cabinet portfolios during that time.

Tom has a general solicitor’s practice, assisting clients with business matters, wills and incapacity planning, the administration of estates, and real estate conveyancing and financing matters. He has a particular interest in assisting families with the transition of assets from one generation to the next through effective personal and business succession planning as well as resolving estate disputes outside of court.

Kyle Britton – Partner, BComm, CPA, CGA, Clark RobinsonBorn and raised in Vernon, Kyle has been a partner at Clark Robinson CPAs for over 8 years. Kyle practices primarily in individual and corporate taxation, helping clients navigate complex tax matters.

Laura-Lee Locheed – FMA (retired)

With parents settling in Vernon in 1945, Laura-Lee is truly a Vernonite! Now retired, her career in financial planning as a CFP and FMA has spanned 39 years. Her work specialized in retirement income, tax and estate planning and charitable gifting. Her community involvements have included directorships with the Chamber of Commerce, the Okanagan Landing Association, the Okanagan Symphony and the Vernon Flying Club.

Dauna Kennedy – Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery

Dauna has been the Executive Director for 17 years, guiding it through a huge transition from a small town public gallery to a regionally recognized leader in public art programming. She and her team now face the exciting challenge of preparing to move into the new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre in 2028.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy
2026-11-16 16:30 - 17:30
Date & Time: November 16, 2026, 4:00–5:30 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: All agesAdmission: Free

You don’t have to be a Millionaire, or even Old, to think about your legacy now!

Have you ever thought about how you could make your estate larger by doing some smart tax planning now?

Have you ever wondered about what sort of a legacy you want to leave behind once your kids and family are taken care of?

Have you ever hoped you could set an example for those close to you to follow in your footsteps by giving to the community?

This inspiring introductory workshop will introduce you to the simple steps of how and why to add Planned Giving into your estate planning. By doing so you will create a lasting legacy for future generations while also saving taxes and growing your hard-earned estate.

This free one-hour workshop hosted by Vernon Public Art Gallery gives you:

An overview – what is Planned Giving and how it works?

Legal mechanics of estate planning

Tax saving opportunities – while you are living and when you pass

What you can do right away to plan for life time income

The Vernon Public Art Gallery as a potential beneficiary – why and how

Followed by an optional tour of the Vernon Public Art Gallery with the Executive Director and Curator.Note: This workshop is not designed to give you advice on your personal situation but to overview the process of planned giving, avoid typical pitfalls and help set next steps.

Click Here to Register

Workshop led by

Tom Christensen K.C Nixon Wenger

Tom started his legal career in Vernon in 1996. He took a leave from practice from 2001 to 2009 to serve as MLA for Vernon-Monashee and held a number of cabinet portfolios during that time.

Tom has a general solicitor’s practice, assisting clients with business matters, wills and incapacity planning, the administration of estates, and real estate conveyancing and financing matters. He has a particular interest in assisting families with the transition of assets from one generation to the next through effective personal and business succession planning as well as resolving estate disputes outside of court.

Kyle Britton – Partner, BComm, CPA, CGA, Clark RobinsonBorn and raised in Vernon, Kyle has been a partner at Clark Robinson CPAs for over 8 years. Kyle practices primarily in individual and corporate taxation, helping clients navigate complex tax matters.

Laura-Lee Locheed – FMA (retired)

With parents settling in Vernon in 1945, Laura-Lee is truly a Vernonite! Now retired, her career in financial planning as a CFP and FMA has spanned 39 years. Her work specialized in retirement income, tax and estate planning and charitable gifting. Her community involvements have included directorships with the Chamber of Commerce, the Okanagan Landing Association, the Okanagan Symphony and the Vernon Flying Club.

Dauna Kennedy – Executive Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery

Dauna has been the Executive Director for 17 years, guiding it through a huge transition from a small town public gallery to a regionally recognized leader in public art programming. She and her team now face the exciting challenge of preparing to move into the new Greater Vernon Cultural Centre in 2028.
