Gallery Vertigo is hosting a visionary exhibition by young Vernon artists.
Opening Tuesday to May 31, the gallery will be transformed into a orchard in bloom, which will rise against a scale recreation of Vernon’s historic 30th Avenue. Between city and orchard will be the words and images created by the young artists on their visions for the future of Vernon in the year 2030.
The art installation, which includes a life-size Kadinsky-inspired blossoming tree, was created on Earth Day, with help from Gallery Vertigo volunteers, Vernon in Transition, Kim Ondrick’s Ozone students from Ellison Elementary and other Vernon school district students.
Gallery Vertigo’s second gallery will be transformed into a wetland, complete with a soundscape created by the Allan Brooks Nature Centre.
“The Ozone students of Ellison Elementary embarked on a journey of inquiry as stewards of the wetlands and expressed their findings through eco-art, using the gallery as an educational resource for the public,” said student teacher and artist Robyn Soderberg.
“Children from three-to-12-years of age were asked to put on their future-viewing glasses and imagine that they had woken up in the year 2030, into a future where people had figured out how to look after each other and after the Earth in a caring and sustainable way,” added Mary Stockdale, with Vernon in Transition. “They were guided through a visioning process where they imagined what they were wearing, what they were eating, what their housing, neighborhood and transportation looked like, and what they did, as adults in this future, for work and play.”
The exhibition showcases the words and pictures they created.
New contributions for Blossoming Ideas are planned throughout May.
“I encourage all young people in the North Okanagan to come in and add their blossoming ideas to our tree,” said Michelle Mitchell, Gallery Vertigo director, adding the gallery also welcomes early childhood educators. “We’d love them to bring their kids in. Phone first, so we can make a personal time for you.”
The opening celebration for Blossoming Ideas is Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Gallery Vertigo is located at 1-3001 31st St. Call (250) 503-2297.
