A colourful and rather scantily clad array of art lovers and supporters gathered at Vernon’s Sparkling Hill Resort to take in the opening of the sixth annual Okanagan Erotic Art Show Friday.
Previously held at Ex Nihilo Winery in Lake Country, this year’s event saw approximately 330 Okanagan “glitterary” enter the Swarovski crystal infused resort’s ballroom and fireside lounge to eye and oggle the photography, drawings, paintings, textile, glass, ceramics and more, entered by local, Canadian and international artists.
Interpretations on the erotic varied, from figurative nudes to neo-abstract interpretations to the downright cheeky.
Some guests attending the event dressed for the occasion, including a contingency from Enderby whose attire was reminiscent of Bob Fosse’s Cabaret (masks, boas, fishnets, chaps and boxers (?!) Turns out they pulled out costumes normally worn for North America’s longest running cross-dressing dance, The Kingfisher Jumble Dance, held in, you guessed it, Kingfisher, B.C.
“Except it’s usually me wearing his costume, and him wearing mine,” laughed Shelley Verlaan, pointing out her husband Harry, wearing the aforementioned boxers.
Vernon’s Jessika LaFramboise, of theatre 86, also dressed for the occasion in a puffy multi-hued pink layered dress (interpretations were left to the imagination) to perform her naughty monologue, Slut.
Guests were also entertained by the refined classical guitar stylings of Alan Rinehart, a sultry ballroom dance by Vernon’s City Dance, and the piéce de resistance, an interpretative dance by former Ballet Kelowna dancer Angel Jutzi, accompanied by musician Tony Koenen, and painted “live” by Angela Bonten.
Artist Edward Vincent won the People’s Choice award for his piece, Invitation, while fellow artist Krista Berrigan won the Resort Choice with her Embrace in Wonderment.
Both works have sold, reported organizer Julia Trops, adding $2710 has been raised for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association from the reception.
There’s still time to see the art as the Okanagan Erotic Art Show continues at Sparkling Hill Resort until Aug. 2.
