Please join us at the Opening Reception for Jan Crawford! Friday, August 15, 7 - 9 pm*

Tumbleweed Gallery
101-207 Main Street, Penticton
250-492-7701

JAN CRAWFORD was born in Vancouver and was raised in an orchard in the Okanagan. She completed a Diploma in Fine arts from Langara College, a B.Ed.(Fine Arts) from the University of British Columbia, anda B.F.A. (Printmaking) from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.

Jan is known for her large monoprints which depict colorful Okanagan landscapes.  She has been an active member of the Malaspina Printmakers Gallery (on Granville Island, Vancouver) since 1986.  Today, Jan works mainly in acrylics on canvas.  The subject matter of her most recent work ranges from Okanagan landscapes and simple still life compositions to images full of symbolism.

This particular body of paintings speaks to the delicate balance that needs to be maintained between urban development and the preservation of both agricultural and raw, untouched land.  She writes:  “My work has been a reflection of my personal experience and my continuing relationship to the land.  I will continue to explore the role the land plays in defining our identities.  The window in my paintings allows us to look out and gain a new vision and awareness of issues relating to the natural environment.  The canning jar reflects the preservation, conservation and protection of the land.”

Jan’s prints and paintings have been exhibited in public and private galleries throughout B.C. and California.  Her work can be seen at the Vancouver International Airport, the Penticton Lakeside Resort, the Manteo Resort (Kelowna), and several Okanagan wineries. Six of her monoprints were recently purchased and included in “Nexus, Histories and Communities”, an exhibition of works from the permanent collection of the Kelowna Art Gallery, marking the gallery’s 30th Anniversary.

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08 Aug 2008

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Community Spirit

CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF KELOWNA MEDALLIONS
» Thursday 7 August 2008 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing people and ideas featured in Okanagan ARTS. Join us as Karen Close and other mediallion artists celebrate the publication of the book, salute the contribution of Geert & Elly Maas to the arts and the community, and share stories of art-making. Our featured speakers are:
» Randy Cleveland Architect, MAIBC, Civic Properties Manager, City of Kelowna
» Karen Close Writer and Artist
» Dr. Marjorie Ann Docherty Family Physician
» Geert and Elly Maas Artists
» Rose Sexsmith Restauranteur
» Carole Tetlow Artist

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» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE

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Book Celebrates Groundbreaking Project

One year ago, more than a 100 hundred artists gathered at the studio of Geert Maas to create individually cast bronze medallions to recognize the tremendous spirit Kelowna revealed during the devastating Okanagan Mountain Fire.

The medallions now make up a permanent community art display at City Hall, and residents can learn more about these works and the spirit of the project in an accompanying full-colour book Spirit of Kelowna: A Celebration of Art and Community, published by the Okanagan Institute.

The 128-page publication, funded entirely with support from local businesses and individuals, provides artist's thoughts on the experience, with each medallion faithfully photographed by well-regarded local art photographer Yuri Akuney.

On Thursday August 7 at 5 pm at the Bohemian Café the Okanagan Institute Express presents Community Spirit: Celebrating the Spirit of Kelowna Medallions to launch the publication of the book, salute the contribution of Geert & Elly Maas to the arts and the community, and share stories of art-making.

"I was inspired by the project and determined to share this experience with a broader audience," says local artist Karen Close who took part in the project and writes the passionate essay on the role of art in creating community.

"From inception to completion, the project found momentum in people from a diverse cross section of this community working together," says Close. "There were experienced artists and those who had never tried to give visual form to their ideas. There were seniors and youth. Disparate in age and backgrounds, they merged in a spirit of learning and sharing to create an impression of what was in their hearts."

Left: Geert and Elly Mass in front of the medallions wall at Kelowna city hall. Photo by Yuri Akuney.

Official dedication of the medallions, embedded in a rammed earth wall, takes place Aug. 16. Advanced copies of the book, which includes a history of the project by the city's public art coordinator Sandra Kochan, will be available at the event.

"The Spirit of Kelowna: A Celebration of Art and Community is a tribute to all who participated, and to the belief that arts and culture define who we are, and voice the system of beliefs, values, and customs that we share," says Close of the $20 publication.

"This is our proud community's response to Gabrielle Roy's question on the lower left corner of our twenty dollar bill: "Could we ever know each other in the slightest without the arts?"

In addition to Geert and Elly Maas, the presenters will be (left to right) Randy Cleveland, Karen Close, Dr. Marjorie Ann Docherty, Rose Sexsmith and Carole Tetlow.



Philip Attwood, Curator at the British Museum and a leading expert on medallions, upon seeing the book wrote: "This was a marvellous project and the book is an extremely elegant publication. As Julia Ketler (age 14) says, "Every single medallion has something to say". All in all, I found looking at the works that came out of the project quite a moving experience."

Community Spirit: Celebrating the Spirit of Kelowna Medallions is a free event, and takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 52st event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007. Since that time, the series has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, architect Jim Meiklejohn, and others from a variety of creative fields.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE


Where Enquiring Minds Gather. Okanagan Institute at the Bohemian Café A hearty feast of lectures, presentations, workshops and showcases celebrating our culture and community. Produced by the Okanagan Institute in association with Wheat King Publishing magazines: Okanagan Arts and Okanagan Home. Express is sponsored in part by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Publishing, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna.

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03 Aug 2008

Sponsored by the Summerland Master Gardeners

This program will appeal to enthusiastic home gardeners who wish to become volunteer gardening advisors with the Master Gardeners Association of BC.  The intensive training program provides up-to-date information on all gardening basics.

Information Sessions: Nov 4th 7:00pm or Nov 8th 10am
KLO Baptist Church 1370 KLO Rd. Kelowna

Program Goals:
You will fill gaps in your gardening knowledge, learn where to find the answers to new challenges, meet other gardeners and prepare to share your love of gardening in your community.  The program emphasizes environmentally responsible, sustainable gardening practices.

Program Format:
The program combines classroom instruction and volunteer hours.  Classroom training (78 hours) is provided every Saturday for 3 months.  The volunteer hours are individually scheduled over a two-year period.

Program Content:
Classroom component covering a full range of gardening topics such as:
•    Botany and plant identification
•    Soils, amendments and composting
•    Lawns and their alternatives
•    Right plant, right place
•    Trees, shrubs, fruit trees, berries, roses, and perennials
•    Sustainable landscape design
•    Xeriscaping
•    Organic vegetable gardening
•    Diagnosis and management of pest, disease and weed problems
•    Propagation and pruning
•    Basic entomology and integrated pest management.

Volunteer component comprised of 70 volunteer hours over two years. On successful completion of the classroom component, students share their knowledge and passion about gardening with the community through volunteer hours, supported by experienced Master Gardeners.

Program Start Dates:
Spring 2009 (January 10).  The Master Gardener Basic Training Program will be delivered in Kelowna.

Find Out More:
•    Visit our website:  www.summerlandornamentalgardens.org (Master Gardeners link)
•    Contact us at   mgp@summerlandornamentalgardens.org   or

Kelowna:  lorrie@telus.net; 250-769-3314; 1041 Westside Road, Kelowna BC, V1Z 3S1
 

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31 Jul 2008

In an empty theatre, on a bare stage, and casting for a new Broadway musical is almost complete. The field's been narrowed down to just 17 dancers. For these men and women, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It's what they've worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed of. Not to be the star, but to get the job · to have the chance to dance and come through.

A CHORUS LINE is the One musical you've got to see.  A CHORUS LINE· the One that won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize and had an unprecedented run of over 15 years when it first took Broadway by storm. The one musical The New York Times called "Tremendous, terrific, devastating, the show that dances, jogs and whirls its way into the history of the musical theatre. One of the greatest musicals to ever hit Broadway." The musical called "a brilliant accomplish-ment·rare and irresistible".

You will find yourself very much moved by A CHORUS LINE.  The show described as "dazzling, driving, compassionate, and yes, thrilling." A CHORUS LINE, because theatre should thrill you. Viva Musica is well known for its outstanding summer productions. This year Viva Musica has brought together a singularly sensational company of 26 artists from across Canada, who sing, dance and act and will thrill you with their talent.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Neal Facey, Musical Director Roslyn Frantz and Choreographer Robb Card, the songs and the stories come alive.  Who can forget the wonderful "What I Did For Love" and of course "One".  The Daily News called the show, "Uninterrupted magic." A CHORUS LINE is undoubtedly the best musical ever.  And the best part is·.it's here.  Experience the one musical that remains a cut above all the others.  A CHORUS LINE will lift you right out of your seat, provided you can get one.  And the best way to guarantee that is to call right now.

A CHORUS LINE is presented by Viva Musica at Kelowna Community Theatre August 15th  to 23rd .  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster 250-860-1470.
 

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29 Jul 2008

On Tuesday nights in August you can catch the Art of Delusion performing side-splitting live improv comedy aboard the Fintry Queen!  Catch all the hilarity as you cruise Okanagan Lake aboard one of the Okanaganís most recognizable landmarksÖor is that watermarks?!

Boarding at 8:45 with a 9:00 sailing time. 210 Bernard Ave, Kelowna

Tickets are only $15

For more information or to book call 250-826-2442, or email mailto:info@theartofdelusion.com?subject=Fintry Queen Comedy Cruise

For ticket and other cruise information you can also visit, www.fintryqueen.com or call 250-979-0223.

The Art of Delusion is Conrad Burek, Mark Reinelt and Jay Martens. Originally meeting in Kelowna, Conrad, Mark and Jay developed a loyal following as members of the very popular Rubber Chicken Improv group (RCI).   RCIís hilarious 2 hour weekly improv shows were met with great enthusiasm leaving RCI playing many times to standing room only crowds!  Conrad left in 2003 for Toronto to further his comedic performance and writing skills.  Jay left for his native Calgary and founded the world famous Mob Mentality Improv Company.  Mark remained in the Okanagan and further developed his performance skills. Conrad, Mark and Jay are now back together again as the Art of DelusionÖwithout a doubtÖthe greatest show on earth!

As an actor, Conradís credits include the History and Comedy Channels, Movies-of-the Week, Commercials, DaVinciís City Hall and The 4400.  Conrad has trained and worked with numerous Second City, Saturday Night Live, SCTV, Seinfeld and Who's Line is it Anyway? alumni and has won nominations and awards for his sketch writing and stand-up comedy.  When not touring, Conrad enjoys teaching Improv, Performance Skills and Health and Wellness Humour workshops.
Mark Reinelt, specializing in short form game-based and open scene improv and has performed all over the province.  He has appeared on television and lends his voice and wit to radio commercials.  Mark teaches improv to elementary children and facilitates children and adult improv classes throughout the Okanagan.  Mark's Improv Training Classes were named "one of the top 17 things to do in Kelowna" by Okanagan Life Magazine.
Jay regularly performs and enjoys entertaining audiences on stage, video and through improvisational comedy. During the completion of drama classes and a broadcasting diploma, Jay was in constant pursuit of making a career out of bringing laughter and joy to others.  The freedom and challenge of creating and moving scenes in dangerous and entertaining directions energizes Jayís stage performance.  

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28 Jul 2008