As those who took advantage of the Studio Tour earlier this month know we are blessed to live in a community with many talented and accomplished artists. Of course, there are many more talented people who engage in painting, pottery and other artistic endeavours as a recreational pursuit.
Did you know that the Okanagan is home to a remarkable concentration of outstanding contemporary artists with national reputations?
Sadly most Canadians do not know that there is such a strong group of artists living and working in this valley.
However, one woman is working to change that.
Patricia Ainslie, Chief Curator emerita of Calgary’s prestigious Glenbow Museum in Calgary and now resident of West Kelowna, has written a book Okanagan Artists in their Studios which features 13 senior professional Canadian artists of great originality and imagination with well-established careers who now live and work here in the Okanagan.
They include Byron Johnston, Bryan Ryley, Daphne Odjig, Jock Hildebrand, Joice M. Hall, Ann Kipling, David Alexander, John Hall, Briar Craig, Julie Oakes, Gary Pearson, Jim Kalnin, Fern Helfand.
Some have lived here most of their lives and have taken their inspiration from this place, while others had established their reputations elsewhere but moved here for a variety of reasons, including the opportunity to teach at UBCO.
The range of media, style and intention is diverse and you can witness that talent and diversity by reading Ainslie’s book or by visiting the exhibition Okanagan Artists in Their Studios that opens at the Penticton Art Gallery on Friday, Nov. 22.
On November 23 at 2 p.m. there will be an Exhibition Walk ‘n Talk with guest curator, Patricia Ainslie
In addition to the visual arts we are blessed to have many talented musicians in our midst.
Here are just some of the concerts and performances being held in the next month.
First off is the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a concert Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleland Theatre. In December Musaic Vocale Ensemble and the Tune Agers will be performing as will the Summerland Community Choir which is comprised of 75 members, from five Summerland churches and the Summerland community, from youth to seniors.
If you know of an event you feel should be included in the Arts Palette or on the Arts Council’s online calendar, please email: artspalette@summerlandarts.com or call: 250-404-3225.
The SCAC online Event Calendar is on the “News” page of summerlandarts.com Additional information can be found at www.facebook.com/SummerlandArts
Keep up with current news by following @artspalette
The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9533 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0
