Three Chilliwack artists are among the 17 people taking part in the current exhibition at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
Karlie Norrish McChesney, Patricia Peters and Michelle Vandyk are the three local artists with pieces of work in the 2021 Fraser Valley Biennial at the O’Connor Group Art Gallery. It is the sixth time the biennial has been at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.
“The Biennial is a dynamic, collective representation of exceptional artwork produced by artists in the Fraser Valley region over the past two years,” the Chilliwack Cultural Centre said in a press release.
The exhibition is presented by the Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre Society and the Chilliwack Visual Artists Association.
‘Wear It’ by Chilliwack artist Karlie Norrish McChesney is one of the pieces in the Fraser Valley Biennale at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
“This year, artists were encouraged to submit work that has been catalyzed by, responds to, or anticipates possible futures resulting from the current state of global affairs, including the COVID-19 pandemic and growing demands for racial justice. Since its launch in 2011, the Biennial has helped facilitate and contextualize local and regional visual art practice, while broadening the public’s awareness and appreciation of the immense creative talent that finds its home in the Fraser Valley.”
The Fraser Valley Biennial features pieces by a total of 25 artists. Work by all of the artists was on display at The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford from January to May. Smaller versions of the Biennial have been making their way through the Fraser Valley since then.
It is at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre until Aug. 5. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.
‘In the Round’ by Syrian refugee and artist Isam Sharkia is one of the pieces in the Fraser Valley Biennale at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
The show was in Mission June 15 to July 3 and will move to the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison Hot Springs Aug. 9 to 29. There is also a virtual exhibition scheduled at the Kariton Gallery in Abbotsford.
The 2021 Biennial is curated by Kendra Anderson, graduate practicum student, and assistant curator Kate Bradford at The Reach.
Here are the 2021 Fraser Valley Biennial Artists at the O’Connor Group Gallery at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre:
Chantelle Trainor-Matties, Abbotsford
David Evans, Mission
Dona Park, Abbotsford
Hong Park, Langley
Sora Park, Langley
Isabella Dagnino, Hope
Isam Sharkia, Abbotsford
Jordan Turner, Langley
Karen Johnson, Langley
Karlie Norrish McChesney, Chilliwack
Ketty Zhang, Surrey
Meghan Spence, Abbotsford
Michelle Vandyk, Chilliwack
Patricia Peters, Chilliwack
Qahraman Yousif, Abbotsford
Rosa Quintana Lillo, Agassiz
Sidi Chen, Vancouver
The current capacity of the O-Connor Group Art Gallery will limit patrons to 20 at a time to ensure proper safety protocols. Face masks covering are recommended for anyone entering the Chilliwack Cultural Centre, and enhanced operating protocols must be followed.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
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