Vernon Public Art Gallery

Opening Reception
2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver)
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art Gallery

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to invite you to the opening reception of Portals to Elsewhere by Amy J. Dyck, I’m in this World, Doing by Vivian Smith, and Blooming Together by Cool Arts.

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.

Portals to Elsewhere
2026-03-20 10:00 - 2026-05-20 17:00
Amy J. Dyck

Topham Brown Memorial GalleryOpening Reception: March 19 from 6 to 8 pm

Portals to Elsewhere invites viewers into a dreamlike, psychological landscape populated by strange, fragile, and resilient beings. Drawing from her lived experience with disability and chronic illness, Amy J. Dyck creates figures that are broken and fierce, layered with symbols of human, animal, and mechanical forms. These creatures act as visual metaphors for imagination, memory, instinct, resistance, and self-protection—reflecting the complexity of what it means to endure and adapt.

At the heart of the exhibition is a large circular installation that transforms the gallery into a contemplative, immersive environment. Seven evolving figures suggest movement through time, even as they were created during a period when the artist’s body was in collapse. Windows appear throughout the work as a central metaphor—portals to other spaces and possibilities, offering escape, reflection, and the hope of becoming something different. The exhibition ultimately becomes a wild, otherworldly place where both artist and viewer are invited to imagine new ways of belonging, resilience, and home.

Amy J. Dyck is a contemporary multimedia figurative artist and writer based in Langley, British Columbia. After a sudden and severe illness in her early twenties left her using a wheelchair, Dyck turned to art as a way to process and survive her changing reality. Her practice draws on classical approaches to anatomy and figurative painting, combined with experimental mixed media processes that explore the body as a vessel for memory, emotion, and lived experience. Dyck exhibits widely, with work held in private collections internationally. She has received multiple international awards, was granted a Canada Council for the Arts award in 2024, and is a frequent podcast guest and speaker. She is currently working on a memoir exploring the intersection of art, illness, and resilience.

Twist with Moons

Bed-Desk Series (detail)

Amy J. Dyck with Portals to Elsewhere

I'm in this World, Doing
2026-03-20 10:00 - 2026-05-20 17:00
Vivian Smith

Caroline Galbraith GalleryOpening Reception: March 19 from 6 to 8 pm

I’m in This World, Doing is a body of work that explores the hidden systems of labour that quietly sustain our daily lives. Through mixed-media works and installations, Vivian Smith examines how unpaid care work, domestic labour, and affective labour remain economically invisible despite their essential role in supporting society. The exhibition draws attention to the intersection of the gift economy and capitalism, embedding images of unpaid work into objects that hold greater market value than the labour they depict. In doing so, Smith challenges viewers to reconsider how we assign worth, productivity, and compensation in contemporary life.Rooted in personal documentation, the works feature photographs of the artist performing everyday tasks—cleaning, cooking, and caregiving—printed onto domestic textiles such as chiffon, satin, silk, and linen, then coated in beeswax. These materials reference both gendered expectations of care and the natural labour of worker bees. By transforming these images through hand-stitching, quilting, and sculptural installation, Smith reveals how women’s labour connects intimate home spaces to global economic systems. The exhibition ultimately advocates for recognition and systemic change, including the need for Universal Basic Income as a way to value essential work that remains unseen.Vivian Smith is an artist based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Distinction from the Alberta University of the Arts and has participated in numerous residencies, including at the Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre and the Similkameen Artist Residency. Her work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Calgary Arts Development Authority, and she has exhibited widely across Canada. Through her interdisciplinary practice, Smith focuses on labour, gender, and economic systems, creating work that encourages dialogue about how care, value, and community are interconnected.

In the Corners of the Eye, 2024.

A Place for Relaxation, 2025.

Glass Walls, 2024.

Blooming Together
2026-03-20 10:00 - 2026-05-20 17:00
Cool Arts Society

Community GalleryOpening Reception: March 19 from 6 to 8 pm

Blooming Together is a collaborative exhibition that explores themes of community, diversity, and collective growth. Created by the artists of Cool Arts Society, the exhibition highlights how individual voices come together to form a vibrant, colourful, and ever-evolving whole.

At the centre of the exhibition is a large collaborative artwork representing community as a shared landscape. It is built through layers, colours, and connections. Alongside this work, the artists present a series of clay masks, each one unique, illustrating the diversity of identities, expressions, and perspectives within the group.

The exhibition unfolds through three closely connected themes: Dream, Birth, and Growth. Lush jungle scenes inspired by the world of Henri Rousseau evoke imagination and a dreamlike atmosphere. Raised floral elements symbolize the birth of a growing community, while the collective compositions emphasize the strength that emerges through collaboration, inclusion, and shared creation.

Mini Artists
2026-03-26 10:00 - 11:30
Date & Time: March 26, 2026, 10:00–11:30 AMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: Children under 5 (with parent or guardian)Admission: By donation

Join us for Mini Artists, a hands-on art program for little ones and their caregivers! Each session invites children to explore a variety of art materials and creative processes that foster creativity, sensory awareness, and early learning. Using safe, non-toxic materials, kids get to play, imagine, and create while developing fine and gross motor skills.

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

Register for March’s Mini Artist

Learn More about mini artists

Family Saturdays
2026-03-28 13:00 - 14:30
Date & Time: March 28, 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 March’s family Saturday

learn more about family saturday

First Friday Art Trail – Featuring Atlas Passmore
2026-04-10 12:00 - 16:00
Date: Friday, April 10, 2025Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PMLocation: Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Downtown VernonAdmission: Free | Everyone welcome

Please note, this session will be held one week later than usual due to the April holidays.

As part of Greater Vernon’s First Friday Art Trail, the Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to host local artist Atlas Passmore for an open studio experience. Visitors are invited to drop in throughout the day to meet Atlas, learn about their creative process, and see their artwork in progress.

About the ArtistAtlas is a contemporary abstract artist living and working in Vernon, BC. Their work explores light, emotion, and persistence through layered texture and luminous colour- not representations of specific places, but inner landscapes shaped by memory, experience, and survival. Beginning as a form of emotional processing, their practice remains an outlet for Big Feelings, built intuitively through scraping, layering, and return. The light in their work is not about serenity. It is about refusal. A reminder of presence. A declaration: something tender can still take up space.

Discover more about the First Friday Art Trail and explore participating artists across Greater Vernon — or get involved as a featured artist at VPAG.Learn More / Apply to Be a Featured Artist

Crit Club
2026-04-24 15:30 - 17:00
Date & Time: April 24, 2026, 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 April’s Crit Club

Learn more about Crit Club

Family Saturdays
2026-04-25 13:00 - 14:30
Date & Time: April 25, 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 April’s family Saturday

learn more about family saturday

Mini Artist
2026-04-30 10:00 - 11:30
Date & Time: April 30, 2026, 10:00–11:30 AMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: Children under 5 (with parent or guardian)Admission: By donation

Join us for Mini Artists, a hands-on art program for little ones and their caregivers! Each session invites children to explore a variety of art materials and creative processes that foster creativity, sensory awareness, and early learning. Using safe, non-toxic materials, kids get to play, imagine, and create while developing fine and gross motor skills.

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

Register for April’s Mini Artist

Learn More about mini artists

Leaving a Lasting Legacy
2026-05-13 16:30 - 17:30
Date & Time: May 13, 2026, 4:30–5:30 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

Other Upcoming Dates:September 17, 2026 – Thursday 1:00 – 2:00 pmNovember 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.

Mini Artist
2026-05-28 10:00 - 11:30
Date & Time: May 28, 2026, 10:00–11:30 AMLocation: Vernon Public Art GalleryAge Group: Children under 5 (with parent or guardian)Admission: By donation

Join us for Mini Artists, a hands-on art program for little ones and their caregivers! Each session invites children to explore a variety of art materials and creative processes that foster creativity, sensory awareness, and early learning. Using safe, non-toxic materials, kids get to play, imagine, and create while developing fine and gross motor skills.

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

Register for May’s Mini Artist

Learn More about mini artists

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

Midsummer's Eve of the Arts
2026-07-15 18:30 - 23:00
Tickets Available June 1st

Join us Wednesday, July 15th, at 6:30pm – 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 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 2026 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

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.
