Vernon Public Art Gallery

Once for a While
2025-01-09 10:00 - 2025-03-05 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
Chrystal Phan

Community Gallery & Up-Front GalleryyJanuary 9 – March 5, 2025

Opening Reception: January 9, 2025 from 6-8 PM

Chrystal Phan is a representational artist who integrates the Vietnamese-Canadian experience into narrative oil paintings to challenge the ways in which we imagine Canadian identity, drawing particular attention to how the reification of racial stereotypes in art and media can actually reinforce social divisions that prevent racialized people from ever feeling “Canadian”. Using personal narratives Phan’s work collapses the boundary between public and private so that viewers can connect their own lives and experiences to the paintings at an intimate level.

Once for A While is a series of oil paintings that explore a Vietnamese family’s awkward attempts at integrating into Canadian life. Using examples from Phan’s own childhood and those of her friends, Phan’s intention is to capture humorous moments where cultural values have clashed.

Chrystal Phan: Turkey Dinner, 2021, oil on canvas, 48 x 60 in

Home on Syilx Territory
2025-01-09 10:00 - 2025-03-05 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society Project

Community GalleryJanuary 9 – March 5, 2025

Opening Reception: January 9, 2025 from 6-8 PM

The focus of the project was to introduce recent newcomers to visitor protocols of engagement with local Syilx First Nation people’s culture and the land itself. The four-day series of workshops were focused on Land Acknowledgement, Allyship, traditional Tule mat making and the cultural importance of marshlands. In the final session the participants created a series of collages which will be on display at the gallery. The intent of the final workshop was aimed towards appreciation of culture and building relationship through art. The workshops were led by Syilx Nation members Mariel Belanger and her daughter Sienna.

Mariel Belanger: Mother Earth, 2024, collage on canvas, 20 x 20 inches

Opening Reception: January 9th, 2025
2025-01-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
We invite you to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibitions: Pictograph Roots by David Wilson Sookinakin, Once For A While by Chrystal Phan, and Home On Syilx Territory in collaboration with the Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society and Mariel Belangier. Join us on January 9th from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery for an evening of art and conversation. The community is warmly welcomed to attend, meet the artists, and enjoy brief talks where some will share insights about their exhibitions. We’ll be serving light bites and drinks, and entry is by donation.

Pinot & Paint
2025-02-11 19:00 - 21:00
VPAG & The Vernon Winter Carnival Present Pinot & Paint

Join us on February 11th for a painting event, hosted by local Artists Mandi Irmen and Christine Kashuba for an evening of creativity, laughter, good company and wine.

In conjunction with the Vernon Winter Carnival’s Back to the 80’s theme, we will be painting Keith Haring’s iconic work Best Buddies Pop Shop I (A) from 1987. Haring was an American artist whose pop art emerged from the New York City graffiti subculture of the 1980s. Launched in 1986, Pop Shop I was a revolutionary concept that blurred the lines between commercialism and high art. An extension of his work, the boutique sold prints, T-shirts and novelty items with Keith’s imagery as well as some of his contemporaries, like Kenny Scharf and Jean Michel Basquiat.

Best Buddies remains a testament to Haring’s commitment to accessibility and his belief that art should be for everyone. Aligning with our Mandate to promote and encourage visual arts in the broader community, Best Buddies exemplifies Haring’s dedication to using art as a medium for social change, encouraging dialogue, and breaking down the exclusivity often associated with the art world.

Tickets can be purchased via the Vernon Winter Carnival’s website, bring your group, your friends or just yourself and enjoy a relaxing and creative evening

Wild Times
2025-03-13 10:00 - 2025-05-13 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
Isabelle Hayeur

Topham Brown Memorial GalleryMarch 13 – May 13, 2025

Opening Reception: May 13, 2025

Major bodies of works in Hayeur’s studio practice are focused on environmental changes caused by human development or natural causes. Her photographs document the destruction of natural habitats and whole ecosystems. The exhibition titled Wild Times presented at the Vernon Public Art Gallery consist of photographs of landscapes affected by forest fires in Quebec and British Columbia in the 2020 and 2021 summer seasons. The photographs from sites near Las Saint-Jean depict the after effects of the wildfire which changed the ecosystems in the largest forest fire in the province’s history. The images captured in 2021 show the active fires in British Columbia. The oppressive plumes of raising smoke changed the appearance of the landscape and the thick smoke was hardly penetrated by the sun’s rays. The toxic smoke drifted through large areas and the images captured from satellite views exemplified the apocalyptic scale of the burning infernos.

Hayeur’s focus on environmental changes is also a critique of environmental stewardship and management of the forests. Western Canada and the United States have been affected by the climate change and, specifically, prolonged droughts contribute negatively to the fragile ecosystems. In her statement she points out that forest companies harvest timber from ecologically diverse ecosystems, but replant logged areas with monocrop species which inevitably do not contribute to the ecological diversity of healthy forests. She also questions the continuous suppression of forest fires which results in the excessive fuel load on the forest floor. Her works advocate indirectly for prescribed burning, a practice which reintroduces fire as natural part of a healthy ecosystem. Hayeur’s exhibition Wild Times contains images of cataclysmic active fires and resulting destruction of natural environments. The images of burnt forests invoke the feeling of existential angst which serve as powerful memento mori for all humanity to contemplate.

Isabelle Hayeur, Pyrocumulonimbus, 2021, inkjet on photo paper mounted on aluminum panel, 42″ x 41″ / 107 cm x 104 cm

Opening Reception: March 13, 2025
2025-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
We invite you to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition: Wild Times by Isabelle Hayeur. Join us on March 13th from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery for an evening of art and conversation. The community is warmly welcomed to attend, meet the artist, and enjoy brief talks where some will share insights about their exhibitions. We’ll be serving light bites and drinks, and entry is by donation.

Art from the Heart
2025-03-15 10:00 - 2025-04-10 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
SD#22 Elementary Students

Community Gallery & Up-Front GalleryMarch 15 – April 10, 2025

Opening Reception: March 15, 2025

Art from the Heart is the annual exhibition by elementary students from School District No.22. Their artwork delights viewers with their creativeness under the guidance of their art teacher. The opening day for the exhibition is Saturday, March 15th, please join us in celebrating this beautiful exhibition with all the artists and their loved ones.

Caleb T: Heart, mixed media collage, Hillview Elementary, Gr. 3

Opening Reception: March 15, 2025
2025-03-15 11:30 - 15:30 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
We invite you to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition: Art from the HeartArt from the Heart is the annual exhibition by elementary students from School District No.22. Their artwork delights viewers with their creativeness under the guidance of their art teacher.

Mini Artists - March
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
March 27th at 10 AM

Join us on the last Thursday 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. All are welcome to create, and make sure you dress for mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session, admission is by donation.

Register

Family Saturday - March
2025-03-29 13:00 - 15:30 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
March 29th at 1 PM

Family Saturdays takes place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for little kids and big kids alike. The workshop starts promptly at 1 p.m each month and families are welcome to stay the entire session from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m, or leave earlier. All materials for the workshops are supplied.

Register

Opening Reception: April 17, 2025
2025-04-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
We invite you to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition: Art and Soul

Art and Soul is made up of artwork created by secondary school students from School District No.22 displaying a maturity of handling various mediums and more importantly, demonstrating a strong conceptual approach.

Image Description: River Schaffner, Eternal Flame, 2025, Acrylic, Grade 10, WL Seaton

Art and Soul
2025-04-17 18:00 - 2025-05-14 17:00
SD#22 High School Students

Community Gallery & Up-Front GalleryApril 17 – May 14, 2025

Opening Reception: March 15, 2025

Mini Artists - April
2025-04-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
April 24th at 10 AM

Join us on the last Thursday 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. All are welcome to create, and make sure you dress for mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session, admission is by donation.

Register

Crit Club - April
2025-04-25 15:30 - 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
April 25th at 3:30 PM

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 education@vernonpublicartgallery.com

Register

Family Saturday - April
2025-04-26 13:00 - 15:30 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
April 26th at 1 PM

Family Saturdays takes place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for little kids and big kids alike. The workshop starts promptly at 1 p.m each month and families are welcome to stay the entire session from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m, or leave earlier. All materials for the workshops are supplied.

Register

Gathered
2025-05-22 10:00 - 2025-06-13 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
SD#22 Indigenous Students

Community GalleryMay 22 – June 20, 2025

Gathered celebrates the creativity, cultural knowledge, and artistic expression of Indigenous students from across School District No. 22. Showcasing work by students from elementary through high school, this exhibition highlights a wide range of media.

The exhibition reflects both traditional knowledge and contemporary influences, with many students drawing from their cultural heritage while engaging with present-day themes and personal experiences. The result is a vibrant and diverse collection that speaks to identity, community, and the evolving nature of Indigenous art.

Image Description: Juliet Logan, gr. 5, Baeirsto

UBCO Emergence
2025-05-22 10:00 - 2025-07-12 17:00
Amy Bugera, Brenna Lam Kennedy, Ella Cottier, Faith Bye, Fredrik Thacker, & Kate Nicholson

Topham Brown GalleryMay 22 – July 12, 2025

Emergence is an annual group exhibition showcasing the work of graduating students from the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Media Studies programs. This year’s exhibition features six emerging artists working across painting, photography, sculpture, installation, assemblage, and digital media.

Each artist draws from personal experience, critical theory, or cultural observation to create work that engages with pressing contemporary themes. From interrogations of consumerism and environmental degradation to explorations of memory, grief, sexuality, and identity; Emergence presents a deeply considered and diverse body of work. These practices traverse the boundaries between tradition and experimentation—some manipulating family archives and found materials, others working with digital manipulation or painterly abstraction.

Since 2009, the Vernon Public Art Gallery has proudly supported the final exhibitions of BFA/BMS graduates from UBC Okanagan. This annual showcase continues to serve as a platform for emerging artists to present ambitious work to new audiences and step into the next phase of their creative journeys. Emergence invites viewers into intimate, challenging, and thoughtful visual worlds shaped by a generation of artists who are attuned to the complexities of the present moment.

Exhibition Publication

Amy BugeraAmy Bugera critiques the spectacle of consumer culture through print-based installation. Drawing influence from Guy Debord’s theories on media, advertising, and capitalist disillusionment, Bugera examines the ways in which platforms like Amazon mediate our experiences through reductive, persuasive design. Her work manipulates familiar digital commands such as “Add to cart” or “Buy now,” transforming them through encaustic print processes to highlight their absurdity and ubiquity. By repeating and distorting these icons, Bugera reveals how advertising functions as a tool of disconnection—encouraging consumption while suppressing reflection. Her practice is both satirical and sincere, inviting viewers to pause and reconsider the systems we navigate daily.

Brenna Lam KennedyBrenna Lam Kennedy is a multimedia artist and photographer whose work reflects on intimacy, time, and digital mediation. In her photographic series Proximity, Kennedy captures tender moments between subjects, where these images exist outside linear time, imbued with warmth and a quiet sense of longing. Subtle digital interventions and filmic colour grading collapse the distance between viewer and subject, heightening the emotional resonance of touch and gesture. Kennedy’s interest in the temporality of relationships is central to her practice: how we mark moments of closeness, how we remember them, and how digital technologies alter our perception of time itself.

Ella CottierElla Cottier’s sculptural installation Cans investigates the ecological, archaeological, and philosophical implications of what we leave behind. Working with slip-cast ceramic forms derived from discarded aluminum cans, Cottier explores the tension between the “natural” and “unnatural” in the Anthropocene. Her practice considers trash as artifact, reframing the overlooked or unwanted as future remnants of our current civilization. While the work is rooted in environmental concern, it also evokes a meditative sensibility—drawing attention to our embeddedness in ecological systems. By casting everyday waste in fragile ceramic, Cottier prompts viewers to reflect on legacy, permanence, and the quiet material traces of human activity.

Faith ByeFaith Bye’s mixed-media paintings explore the emotional weight of everyday objects through acts of memorialization. Created in the aftermath of her grandmother’s sudden passing, Bye’s assemblages incorporate inherited domestic items—band-aids, sheets, household ephemera—embedded into sculptural grounds of modeling paste, gesso, and acrylic medium. These physical materials are then overlaid with painted still-life scenes, allowing the boundary between the real and the represented to blur. Her work speaks to the quiet rituals of grief and remembrance, and how material things—once ordinary—become saturated with memory. Through painterly layering, Bye constructs intimate dialogues between loss, family, and the texture of daily life.

Fredrik ThackerFredrik Thacker’s expressive paintings are visceral interrogations of queer desire, sexual consumption, and the politics of visibility. Drawing on pornography as both subject and conceptual framework, Thacker collapses bodies into abstracted forms that pulse with intensity and urgency. Influenced by theorists like Linda Williams, his work probes the ways pornographic images are consumed, fragmented, and fetishized—particularly in relation to queer and trans identity. Through rapid paint application, mixed media layering, and disrupted figuration, Thacker recreates a “frenzy of the visible,” evoking what he describes as visual “regurgitation” of desire and disgust. His paintings simultaneously seduce and resist, offering no stable ground for interpretation.

Kate NicholsonKate Nicholson’s paintings reflect on the instability of memory, the complexities of growing up, and the disorientation of nostalgia. Using family photographs as source material, Nicholson reinterprets childhood scenes through a mix of figuration and gestural abstraction. Her works disrupt the original images with energetic markings and overlays, creating a sense of interference—like a corrupted digital file or fleeting mental image. The result is a visual language that is both deeply personal and broadly relatable, capturing the tension between sentimentality and unease. Nicholson’s practice sits at the intersection of memory and media, probing how we reconstruct the past and contend with its emotional residues.

In Conclusion

Together, the works in this years Emergence exhibition reflect a generation of artists attuned to the social, environmental, and emotional contours of contemporary life. With practices grounded in research, lived experience, and material experimentation, these artists offer not only a snapshot of where they are now, but a glimpse of where they are headed. The Vernon Public Art Gallery is proud to support these emerging voices at a pivotal moment in their creative evolution, and we look forward to seeing how their practices continue to develop and resonate beyond this exhibition.

Image Description: Brenna Lam Kennedy

Smoky Summers
2025-05-22 10:00 - 2025-07-12 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
Nicola Tibbetts

Caroline Galbraith GalleryMay 22 – July 12, 2025

In Nicola Tibbetts’ Smoky Summers, the landscapes we think we know are rendered through the soft veil of smoke – a filter that is no longer temporary, but emblematic of a broader ecological shift. These quiet, expansive oil paintings speak to the visceral and visual impact of climate change on the West Coast of Canada. They are not overtly didactic or alarmist; rather, they are quietly devastating in their familiarity. The scenes Tibbetts depicts – recreational lakes, basketball courts, mountain ranges – are recognizable to many who live in British Columbia. But beneath their calm surfaces lies a shared, unsettling truth: summer is not what it used to be.

The title of the exhibition, Smoky Summers, evokes both nostalgia and disruption. Where summer once meant blue skies, carefree days, and a reliable rhythm of warmth and recreation, it now increasingly signals evacuation alerts, smoke advisories, and the dread of escalating wildfire conditions. In her artist statement, Tibbetts reflects on the changing character of summer: “Wildfires, a new summer reality, and the smoke that envelops the landscape in inescapable.” The work emerges from lived experience – both personal and collective – offering a visual archive of summers marked by crisis yet tinged with beauty and resilience.

Exhibition Publication

Image Description: Nicola Tibbetts, Airplane with Pink, 2024, Oil on Panel

Opening Reception: May 22nd, 2025
2025-05-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, British Columbia, V1T2H3, Canada
We invite you to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibitions: UBCO Emergence, Smoky Summers by Nicola Tibbetts, and Gathered, SD#22’s Indigenous Students Art Exhibition. Join us on May 22nd from 6-8 PM at the Vernon Public Art Gallery for an evening of art and conversation. The community is warmly welcomed to attend, meet the artists, and enjoy brief talks where some will share insights about their exhibitions. We’ll be serving light bites and drinks, and entry is by donation.

Mini Artists - May
2025-05-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
May 29th at 10 AM

Join us on the last Thursday 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. All are welcome to create, and make sure you dress for mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session, admission is by donation.

Register

Annual General Meeting
2025-05-29 17:30 - 18:30
The Vernon Public Art Gallery will host its AGM on May 29, 2025 at 5:30 pm.

We invite members of the VPAG, along with the public to attend and join us for a recap on activities from 2024. Copies of the Annual Report will be available in person and online.

Crit Club - May
2025-05-30 15:30 - 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
May 30th at 3:30 PM

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 education@vernonpublicartgallery.com

Register

Family Saturday - May
2025-05-31 13:00 - 15:30 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
May 31st at 1 PM

Family Saturdays takes place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for little kids and big kids alike. The workshop starts promptly at 1 p.m each month and families are welcome to stay the entire session from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m, or leave earlier. All materials for the workshops are supplied.

Register

Mini Artists - June
2025-06-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
June 12th at 10 AM

Join us 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. All are welcome to create, and make sure you dress for mess! Parents must accompany children for the duration of the session, admission is by donation.

Register

Family Saturday - June
2025-06-14 13:00 - 15:30 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
June 14th at 1 PM

Family Saturdays takes place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for little kids and big kids alike. The workshop starts promptly at 1 p.m each month and families are welcome to stay the entire session from 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m, or leave earlier. All materials for the workshops are supplied.

Register

Auction Preview
2025-06-26 10:00 - 2025-07-15 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts

Community GalleryJune 26 – July 15, 2025

Opening Reception: July 3 from 6 – 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
2025-07-16 18:30 - 23:00
Tickets Available June 1st

Join us Wednesday, July 16th, at 6:30pm – late at Coldstream Community Hall as the Vernon Public Art Gallery hosts the spectacular fundraiserMidsummer’s Eve of the Arts.

Tickets for the 39th annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts are now on sale!

Purchase Tickets

Ticket prices range from $100 – $150 (+fees and tax) for individual seats, or $500-$1000 (+fees and tax) for a VIP table of four or eight.

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 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 glass of bubbly 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.

MEA 2025 Presented by Bannister Honda

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 MEA SPONSORS

2025 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

HOT OFF THE PRESS
2025-07-25 08:00 - 2025-09-24 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
UBCO Printmaking

Community GalleryJuly 25 – September 24, 2025

Opening Reception: July 24 from 6-8 PM

HOT OFF THE PRESS showcases a diverse selection of new work created by students in the printmaking program at UBC Okanagan. Ranging from traditional techniques such as intaglio and relief printing to experimental, mixed-media approaches, the exhibition offers a vibrant cross-section of contemporary student print practices.

Selected with the guidance of UBCO professor Briar Craig and sessional lecturer Dr. Darian Goldin Stahl—who also led the courses from which these works emerged—the exhibition reflects the rigour, play, and conceptual inquiry fostered in the studio. With students at different stages in their academic and artistic journeys, the exhibition highlights both those just beginning to explore the fundamentals of printmaking and those using the medium to push the boundaries of process and form.

Together, these prints speak to the evolving possibilities of printmaking as both a technical and expressive medium. HOT OFF THE PRESS celebrates the creative voices of a new generation of artists, offering insight into the thoughtful, hands-on, and critically engaged work being produced in UBCO’s dynamic printmaking studios.

Soft Architectures
2025-07-25 08:00 - 2025-10-08 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
Sylvan Hamburger

Caroline Galbraith GalleryJuly 25 – October 8, 2025

Opening Reception: July 24 from 6 – 8 PM

In Soft Architectures, Vancouver-based artist Sylvan Hamburger transforms everyday materials—bedsheets, plywood, floral fabrics—into large-scale installations that reflect on the changing face of our cities. Using printmaking, sculpture, and found objects, Hamburger captures the textures of demolished homes and disappearing buildings, turning them into poetic imprints of memory, loss, and resilience.

His prints don’t just depict buildings—they are made from them. By pressing fabrics against salvaged wood and walls, Hamburger gathers physical traces of the spaces we live in, and the ones we’ve lost. These haunting, delicate works explore how the surfaces around us—like the grain of old floorboards or the floral pattern of a bedsheet—can hold personal and collective histories.

Soft Architectures brings together work from the past five years, documenting not only physical spaces, but the emotional and cultural imprints they leave behind. At a time of intense change in our communities, Hamburger’s work offers a thoughtful reminder to look closely at the surfaces around us, noticing the textures and traces that are often erased in the rush of redevelopment.

Exhibition Publication

Image Description: Sylvan Hamburger, Open House Press (detail), 2020, relief print on bedsheet, wooden dowels, shiplap boards.

Through Our Eyes
2025-07-25 08:00 - 2025-10-08 17:00 | Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon, V1T2H3, Canada
Teen Junction

Up-Front GalleryJuly 25 – September 24, 2025

Opening Reception: July 24 from 6-8 PM

Through Our Eyes is a community-based exhibition created by youth from the Teen Junction Youth Centre in partnership with the Vernon Public Art Gallery. This ongoing project gives voice to the lived experiences of Vernon’s youth, offering a platform for expression, representation, and connection through the arts. Teen Junction provides a safe, supportive after-school space for youth to connect, learn, and access resources when needed.

Image Description: Chloe Zimmerman, Untitled, lino-prints, 2025.
