The Penticton Art Gallery is pleased to announce two special events ÷the 31st Annual Art Auction and 2nd Annual Fine Art Appraisal Day.

 

The 2nd Annual Fine Art and Antiques Appraisal Day will be held on Friday, July 4th from 2 pm to 7 pm, featuring Doug Levis, of Levis Fine Art Auctions in Calgary, Edward Tokarek, of Maitreya Asian Works of Art and Antiques in Vancouver and Theresa Nolet of Jardin Antiques in Okanagan Falls.

 

Space is limited so please call the gallery to reserve your place and to avoid disappointment. Tickets are $20 and will allow you to have up to three items appraised verbally.

 

The Penticton Art Gallery invites you to Starry, Starry Night featuring the 31st Annual Art Auction to be held on Saturday, July 5th, at the Penticton Art Gallery and adjoining Ikeda Japanese Garden, located at 199 Marina Way, Penticton, BC. Please join us for our largest fundraiser ever and for the first time we feature the Penticton Art Gallery as the host venue. Tickets for this landmark event are $55 for gallery members and $65 non-members or purchase 10 tickets for $550. Tickets are limited to 300 and are expected to sell out fast.

 

Cocktails will be served at 6 pm, followed by dinner from 6:30 to 8 pm. The live auction begins at 8 pm and will feature over 100 works of fine art, rare wines and unique items. Finally you can dance the night away to live music featuring the Darylectones in the Ikeda Japanese Garden.

 

Set against an amazing backdrop on the shores of lake Okanagan ÷ this years event will featuring an array of specially foods to tempt your palate from Joy Road Catering, fine wines to savor from Township 7 Vineyards and Wineries, fine hand crafted beers from the Cannery Brewing Company, live music by the Darylectones, dancing and a life time of memories with friends new and old.

 

This yearâs live auction will be conducted once again by Doug Levis of Levis Fine Art Auctions of Calgary and will feature original art by some of Canada's finest contemporary artists, rare fine wines, unique packages and amazing items found nowhere else. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase original artwork created by established and emerging artists from across the country. The silent auction will also feature numerous works of art and unique packages found nowhere else.

 

Some of the renowned local and nationally recognized artists in this years auction include: Robert Bateman, RCA, Wayne Eastcott, RCA, Pnina Granirer, Nora Curiston, Andrew Kiss, Jane Kenyon, Lyndal Osborne, RCA, Jill Leir Salter, Michiko Suzuki, Joseph-Richard Veilleux, RCA, ManWoman, E.J. Hughes, RCA, Edward Epp, Louise Lambert, Mary Usaliak, Nel Witteman, Ingrid Mann-Willis, Terry Isaac, Daniel Johnston, Aganetha Dyck, RCA, Ken Wallace and many, many more.

 

A catalogue will be produced and will be available the night of the auction, and all the donated works will be available for preview prior to the auction at the Penticton Art Gallery starting on Saturday June 28.

 

Art lovers and Penticton Art Gallery supporters who are unable to attend the Gala but who are interested in purchasing one or more of the works of art to be auctioned, may leave an absentee bid (or bids) by coming down to the gallery and viewing the works being offered in this years auction starting on Saturday June 28th. Your sealed bid will be administered on your behalf by Doug Levis during the live auction.

 

To order your tickets, arrange for absentee bids, or for more information, please contact the Penticton Art Gallery at (250) 493-2928.

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18 Jun 2008

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Food for Thought

OUR CULINARY CULTURE
» Thursday 19 June 2008 | 4:30 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing the people and ideas featured in Okanagan Arts. Join us as we explore the often fertile, and sometimes troubling, role that the culinary plays in our lives and culture, with Cathyrn Wellner, Don Elzer, and David Bond.
» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
Sponsored by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Books, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna

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THE LAND THAT FEEDS US:
Experts Examine Our Right to Eat Well

Food, how it's made, and where we get it, has become a hotly debated topic. From growing fears surrounding tainted meat and vegetables, to the inaccurate labelling of food products, and the increasing interest in locally-produced food -- food safety, security and sustainability have hit the high note on the public agenda, and at the mealtime tables of concerned citizens.

But what does this mean in the Okanagan Valley where the agriculture may be rich, but agricultural land is increasingly under threat of being turned over from food crops to vineyards, golf courses and housing developments?

This Thursday, June 19 at 4:30 pm at the Bohemian Café, the Okanagan Institute Express examines these and other food-related issues with Food for Thought: Our Culinary Culture. Featuring three of the most forward-thinking people in our region - cultural ecologist Don Elzer, sustainable food advocate Cathryn Wellner, and David Bond, former chief economist of the Hong Kong Bank of Canada and current executive director of the Association of Grape Growers.

Don Elzer has spent 25 years assisting businesses, communities, government, individuals and organizations to develop tourism, learning and cultural initiatives throughout BC and Canada. He has contributed to more than 50 strategic planning projects in Canada and the United States including the Okanagan's Cultural Corridor Project and national initiatives with the Canadian Tourism Commission. A syndicated columnist in more than half a dozen Canadian newspapers and magazines, Elzer is on demand for his insightful knowledge of both consumer and cultural trends.

Elzer fears that Okanagan residents are in danger of handing food production and distribution over to purely commercial interests. "It's our challenge here today, to discover the taste of the land, and to appreciate that taste as a precious resource unique to this "place". We need to foster what we have, and ensure that it's sustainable for our common good.

Cathyrn Wellner retired this week as leader of the Food & Health Project with Interior Health. As a community development consultant, she received accolades for her work on the award-winning HEAL (Healthy Eating and Active Living in Northern British Columbia), a diabetes prevention program that takes a population health approach. A former cattle rancher in the Cariboo, Wellner has spent more than 20 years as a professional storyteller touring Canada, the U.S., Europe and the U.K. In 2006 she was a featured presenter at the 58th Annual Conference on World Affairs. Cathyrn is a passionate advocate for food safety and common sense.

Keeping land for food production isn't a simple matter, says Wellner. Sky-high land values have put farming at risk. She advocates the creation of municipality-owned land leased to farmers, among other solutions. "We've got to get serious about food, and we can't penalize our farmers for that," says the former cattle rancher. "I woke up one day and realized I was subsidizing the food system. That isn't right."

David Bond was born in Hamilton Ontario and earned his doctorate in economics at Yale University. The former chief economist of the Hong Kong Bank of Canada, he has served in various federal government departments including Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Statistics Canada and the Ministry of State for Economic Development. He settled in the Kelowna area and now serves as executive director of the Association of BC Wine Growers. He also serves on the board of the BC Wine Institute and the Canadian Vintners' Association. A witty and erudite thinker and speaker, David's broad-based knowledge and experience is matched by his passion for the arts and ideas.

Bond says the valley is a hot bed for culinary tourism and the harvest to our economic prosperity is ripe for the picking. "Tourism in the Okanagan used to be peaches and beaches, but nowadays it's a different orientation that's taking place towards the wine and cultural events and we've improved on that tremendously."

These three dedicated, passionate and intelligent people bring their considerable experience to bear on these issues. They propose a number of things that we need to think about, propose to our legislators, and promote in our communities to ensure that our food future is as rich as the soil that produces it. Sustainability is in all our best interests. Join us for an engaging, exciting and lively presentation.

Food for Thought: Our Culinary Culture is a free event, and takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 45th 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, 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


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 Books, UBCO Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and supports the work of Project Literacy Kelowna.

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17 Jun 2008

Request for Qualifications

The City of Kelowna Public Art Program is seeking qualifications from professional artists and artist teams for the creation of permanent, site-specific art for the exterior façade of the new Mission Recreation Park Aquatic Centre in Kelowna.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute a highly visible and high profile public art feature for a major civic project. The total budget for this public art project, including design, fabrication and installation, is $100,000.
Large scale murals, reliefs and animated or programmed lighting are some of the possible approaches to this project. Project objectives and themes are described in the RFQ package.

The Aquatic Centre is a design/build project with PCL Westcoast Constructors Ltd. The value of the project is approximately $46.3 million. The facility will house a host of aquatic amenities, including an Olympic-sized 50-metre swimming pool and British Columbia's largest indoor water park. Upon completion in early April, 2009, the facility will be managed and operated by the YMCA-YWCA of the Central Okanagan, under contract with the City.
Submissions must be received no later than 3:00 PM Pacific Time, Thursday, July 17, 2008

For more information and to make a submission, you must access and download: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS document T08-052 Public Art Project MRP Aquatic Centre
City of Kelowna website: www.kelowna.ca - Bidding Opportunities - Open Bids

You will be prompted to register in order to download the RFQ.

For more information on accessing the document or other submission-related inquiries, contact:

Tracy Lundberg, City of Kelowna Purchasing, e-mail purchasing@kelowna.ca 

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16 Jun 2008

Every summer, the Kelowna Art Gallery grounds come alive with colourful painted apple bins supplied by B.C. Tree Fruits. Groups of all ages are invited to paint their artistic vision on a side of a bin. Imagination is the only limit!

The Apple Bin Paint-In is a popular fun-filled activity for families and friends. Participants will have the opportunity to paint the side of one of the 35 apple bins. Painters will be given brushes and acrylic paint; everything needed to create your own personal and lasting impressions of the Okanagan.

Following the paint-in, the bins will be left on display for the summer after which they will all be picked up by B.C. Tree Fruits and sent out to orchards throughout the valley. The painted bins will be immersed into the Okanagan landscape, to be enjoyed by viewers on the valley highways and back roads, or fruit pickers in the many Okanagan orchards.

This is a great day to come out and have fun with children, friends and family. Space is limited so sign up early to avoid disappointment. Please RSVP to Becky Wallace 762 2226 ext. 312.

COST: Free

The Kelowna Art Gallery is grateful for the sponsorship of B.C. Tree Fruits, Gini’s Hairport, Cool Arts, Doggytopia, Kelowna Cycle, Kelowna Rock School, Michaelbook Ranch Golf & Country Club, and Sopa Fine Arts.

Thank you to Scandia Golf & Games for donating prizes, as well as Canada Safeway Ltd. for the donation of a cake for the event.

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16 Jun 2008

Ballet Kelowna has just completed their fifth year of performances and have ended on a high note, declared “Touring Artistic Company of the Year” by the B.C. Touring Council.  Plans are underway for an exciting fall season with Artistic Director David LaHay and a newly elected Board of Directors.
 
Laura Doncom, President for the past three years, will continue to provide support and expertise to the Board as Past President. Newly elected President Birgit Bennett will lead the 2008/2009 Board of Directors.
 
Birgit was Honorary Co-Chair with husband Brad Bennett of the highly successful Holding Hands for Hospice campaign. She is also a Director with the Kelowna Art Gallery and has had a life-long love of ballet.
 
“I attended the first few performances upon Ballet Kelowna’s inception and was very moved and impressed by what a small group of passionate people were bringing to Kelowna. To see how that passion has manifested five years later is a remarkable success story that I feel honoured to be part of.  I can't hope to replace Laura, but will do all I can to help the Society through its next strategic phase,” notes Bennett.
 
The new Executive is comprised of:
Lisa Stewart – Vice President, Mike Gilmore – Treasurer, Glenna Turnbull – Secretary
 
Directors:
Linda Aldous, Anne Laurie, Phred Martin, Cristin Peel, Karen Thompson, Christine Wolter
 
Ballet Kelowna presents professional, high quality programming that educates, entertains and develops audiences throughout British Columbia and beyond. The Company has diversified its audience base each year, from seven performances in six communities in its first year to more than 50 performances in 30 communities throughout B.C. and Alberta today.
 
The Company kicks off again on September 19th at the OK Corral with its second annual Rock the Corral fundraiser.  The 2008 fall tour begins in Kelowna with performances on October 3rd and 4th.  For more information contact 250-762-6105 or visit the Ballet Kelowna website at www.BalletKelowna.com.
 

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13 Jun 2008