[BCMA] An international art exhibition is coming to Vernon!

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hello everyone

 

Please see the attached media release announcing the exciting news that VPAG
will be hosting an international exhibition.

 

An international art exhibition is coming to Vernon - but is Vernon ready?

 

For immediate release

 

October 3, 2014

Contact:              Dauna Kennedy Grant

                                250-545-3173

                                dauna at vernonpublicartgallery.com

 

 

Vernon -- The Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT) was originally conceived in
Vernon in 2009 as a juried exhibition showcasing printmakers from across
Canada.  A partnership between the Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Kelowna
Art Gallery and UBC Okanagan, it enjoyed tremendous success with local
curator Lubos Culen receiving an award of merit from the BC Museums
Association for his contributions to the project. The OPT set the stage for
the Okanagan to be viewed as a cultural destination both locally and
internationally.

 

In 2012, the exhibition grew to include the Americas and was hosted at the
Kelowna Art Gallery.  It continued to grow and attract new submissions from
established and emerging artists who specialize in the art of printmaking.
In March of 2015 the exhibition is returning to Vernon as an international
exhibition of which we have not seen in the Okanagan previously.  The
success of this event has now outgrown the capacity of the Vernon Public Art
Gallery.

 

"Submissions are closed as of October 2, 2015.  We have received an
unprecedented number of them - 179 artists from over 26 countries have asked
to participate in the triennial," said VPAG curator Lubos Culen.  "The
quality of the submissions is very high, and we expect to have as many as
1500 pieces to choose from for the exhibit."

 

A major problem is that the Vernon Public Art Gallery facility is not able
to house the exhibition.

 

"The OPT is now beyond our capacity," said Dauna Kennedy Grant, executive
director of the gallery.  "Our intention when we originally started planning
this back in 2009 is that the international show would be the opportunity
for Vernon to host the world from within the walls of the new art gallery
facility.  This is a tremendous opportunity for our community in terms of
potential tourism dollars and solidifying the Okanagan as a destination for
quality arts and culture.  Unfortunately that hasn't happened and we are now
faced with having to limit this exhibition drastically or seek other
options. I don't want to see this as a missed opportunity for Greater
Vernon!"

 

"Having an international exhibition like the OPT come to Vernon should
create all kinds of opportunities for the community to highlight its
cultural strength and presence, and to promote itself as a contemporary and
vibrant destination," said gallery president Andrew Powell.  "It is a shame
that we even have to consider limiting it." 

 

The Art Gallery is now actively talking to local businesses and landowners
to seek out temporary, satellite gallery spaces in other buildings around
the downtown in order to accommodate the exhibition.  "This is not an ideal
solution, but we need the space, and we need the help," said Kennedy Grant.
The gallery is also seeking sponsors to help publicize and promote the
event.

 

"The gallery will require additional temporary space that is at least as
large as our current location," added Culen.

 

Satellite gallery space will be needed from March 9, 2015 to May 22, 2015 in
order to showcase the triennial.  "Although disappointed that we aren't
utilizing this event to open the new facility, I am confident that our
community will help us pull this off and welcome the world to what Vernon
has to offer," said Dauna Kennedy Grant.

 

-30-

 

 

Thank you,

 

Laura Ashton
Marketing and Programming Coordinator

 



3228-31st Avenue, Vernon BC V1T 2H3 

vernonpublicartgallery.com (250) 545-3173

Follow us on  <http://twitter.com/vernonagallery> Twitter &
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vernon-Public-Art-Gallery/92358973285>
Facebook

 

Current Exhibitions:

Traveling Aboriginal Arts Group:
<http://www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/project/decolonize/> Decolonize Me,
July 31-October 8, 2014

Kama? Creative Aboriginal Arts Collective:
<http://www.vernonpublicartgallery.com/project/kama-aboriginal-arts-collecti
ve/> PUTI KwALA Okanagan, We Are Still Here, July 31-October 8, 2014

 

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