[BCMA] [MEDIA RELEASE] UBC Okanagan celebrates its 15th year by highlighting top alumni art works

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

For Immediate Release

UBC Okanagan celebrates its 15th year by highlighting alumni art works
Former fine arts students to show work at the Kelowna Art Gallery

September 17, 2020 – Kelowna, BC: With many looking to bring more inspiration into their lives, UBC Okanagan is highlighting celebrated art works from a selection of its former students as the campus marks its 15th anniversary.

The show—called FIFTEEN—opens on September 19th at the Kelowna Art Gallery and features the work of former Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters of Fine Arts students. The exhibition is also part of UBC Okanagan’s Homecoming 2020 in which former and current students, as well as the general public, are invited to celebrate their ongoing connection to UBC.

“We’re very excited to bring together these remarkable works for the community to enjoy,” says Sarah Neely, Associate Director, alumni UBC at UBC Okanagan. “Since UBCO was created back in 2005, our campus has seen some extraordinary talent graduate from its fine arts programs and we’re thrilled to see some of their work back on display in Kelowna.”

She says the most challenging part was selecting just a few of the alumni to highlight from among so many.

“This catalogue was produced by alumni UBC and the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and brings together some profound and inspiring works of beauty,” says Neely. “It’s something I think we could all use more of in these challenging times.”

The exhibition and catalogue present a diverse range of mediums from the artists including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, and drawing. The alumni showcased in FIFTEEN represent a cohort of students that have continued their visual art and creative practice, and have made contributions to the arts community.

“We are excited about the exhibition and working closely with UBC Okanagan to bring this striking exhibition to our visitors,” says Nataley Nagy, Executive Director at the Kelowna Art Gallery.

Bryce Traister is the Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and points to the arts as a cornerstone in UBCO’s relationship and contribution to the community.

“Art is about connection, and the FIFTEEN Alumni Exhibition and catalogue perfectly capture what is special about working in the vibrant arts community of which UBCO is a proud member,” he says. “We appreciate the relationship we have with the Kelowna Art Gallery and are excited to work with them to showcase these works.”

And at the centre of that contribution, explains Neely, is UBCO alumni.

“We are grateful to our graduates who make significant contributions to the visual arts in Canada and across the globe,” she says. “FIFTEEN examines cultural, environmental, and social issues, as well as perceptions, thought processes, and aspects of life through the eyes of our alumni. Bringing these works together, this collection reflects the diversity and perspectives that our graduates have brought to the world.”
“Whether you are a member of the community who is passionate about the arts, a current student, or an artist featured in the publication, we hope this collection will provide an opportunity to pause, reflect, and feel inspired.”

In addition to the exhibition itself, the public is invited to participate in a ‘Family Sunday @ Home’ on September 27th by collecting a free grab-and-go art kit from the Kelowna Art Gallery. The kit includes all items needed for an at-home art activity with the Kelowna Art Gallery offering step-by-step instructions through their Instagram account<https://www.instagram.com/kelownaartgallery/?hl=en>. The FIFTEEN-inspired Family Sunday art kits will be available for pickup from the Kelowna Art Gallery from September 22-27, 2020 during regular business hours.
FIFTEEN will be on exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery in The Front Project Space from September 19 to November 15, 2020. UBC Okanagan alumni will receive complimentary admission at the Kelowna Art Gallery during Homecoming weekend.

For more information about the exhibition visit www.kelownaartgallery.com/fifteen<http://www.kelownaartgallery.com/fifteen>

About Homecoming 2020

UBC Homecoming is the university’s premier celebration of school spirit for alumni, students and the neighbouring community. UBC Okanagan’s third annual Homecoming takes place from September 25 to 27, 2020 with events being reimagined digitally with speakers, musical performance, activities, art, and online classes – all available online from the comforts of home. For more information, including the full line up of virtual events, visit ok.ubc.ca/homecoming.

- 30 –

[images]

Christian Nicolay, On the Horizon Line (Shipping Pallet No.3) (detail), 2015, light jet photograph, salvaged Plexiglas, MDF, acrylic paint, found detritus paper, collage, ink, pencil, tape, correction pen, 31 x 30 x 4 in. each. Courtesy of the Artist.

Moozhan Ahmadzadegan, Where Are You From? / شما مال کجا هستی؟ (detail), 2019, cotton sheet, ink, spray paint, variable sizes. Courtesy of the Artist.

Connor Charlesworth, Push Up, Yellow, 2020, oil on canvas, 68 x 38 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Tania Willard, Gut Instincts, 2018, digital print, 32 x 24 in. Courtesy of the Artist.

Exhibition Webpage: https://kelownaartgallery.com/fifteen/
alumni UBC: https://ok.ubc.ca/homecoming/


To arrange for an interview, for additional high-res images, or for other media enquiries, please contact:

Sarah Neely, Associate Director, alumni UBC
The University of British Columbia | Syilx Okanagan Nation Territory
1138 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC  V1V 1V7
250-807-8709 | sarah.neely at ubc.ca<mailto:sarah.neely at ubc.ca>
alumni.ubc.ca<https://www.alumni.ubc.ca/>

Joshua Desnoyers, Marketing and Events Coordinator
Kelowna Art Gallery
1315 Water Street
Kelowna, BC  V1Y 9R3
250-762-2226 | josh at kelownaartgallery.com<mailto:josh at kelownaartgallery.com>
www.kelownaartgallery.com<http://www.kelownaartgallery.com>



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