Those who have recently visited the Vernon Community Arts Centre have likely seen Gabrielle Strong forming fantastical clay shapes on the potter’s wheel.
Strong has been working in the VCAC ceramics studio for the past four months as the Ceram-AiR (artist in residence).
The residency is a pilot project and new initiative of the Caetani Cultural Centre in partnership with the Arts Council of the North Okanagan, which operates the VCAC.
“Strong has made use of the great ceramics facilities at the arts centre and has given a workshop in painting,” said Susan Brandoli, Caetani Cultural Centre manager.
Working both in painting and ceramics, Strong is a recent graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design and is making her home base in the North Okanagan.
“Having spent five years at sea, Strong is coming to the Okanagan to reconnect to the land, to search for the same kind of connection she has cultivated to water and reflections,” said Brandoli.
As part of her residency, Strong will be exhibiting her work for three weeks, and the public is welcome to an opening reception of her exhibition at the VCAC gallery Friday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. As part of B.C. Culture Days, Strong will also give a short talk and tour, discussing her past work and present projects, Friday starting at 5:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. The Vernon Community Arts Centre is located at the east entrance to Polson Park (behind the Okanagan Science Centre).
For more information on the Caetani Cultural Centre artists in residence programs, visit caetaniculturalcentre.org.
