The Penticton Art Gallery is thrilled to welcome the community back to its largest annual fundraising event, the auction gala, on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. To build excitement, a curated collection of artworks, unique items, and experiential packages will be exhibited as part of the Auction Preview, available for viewing and bidding from March 17th to June 21st, 2024. For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be open until 9:00 pm on June 21st. All proceeds support the gallery’s education and outreach programs, ensuring continued affordable and accessible visual arts programming for the community. Join us in supporting this vital event and help the Penticton Art Gallery maintain its role as a leading cultural institution in the Okanagan.

The annual student art exhibition showcases the creativity and talent of visual arts students from Princess Margaret, Penticton Secondary, and Summerland Secondary schools. This beloved event highlights the importance of arts education and features a diverse range of artistic mediums, providing insights into the students' lives and perspectives. Each piece reflects the dedication of both students and teachers, emphasizing the transformative power of the arts in fostering creativity, collaboration, and empathy. The exhibition, titled "Endless Possibilities," celebrates the vibrant cultural contributions of these young artists and invites the community to connect with their stories and experiences.

Discover the essence of spring and community through the annual Meadowlark Festival exhibition, a cherished event that celebrates art, nature, and partnership. Featuring renowned artists like Anne-Marie Harvey alongside a rich history of talent, the festival epitomizes the beauty of British Columbia's landscapes. Learn how artists are selected and explore Anne-Marie's journey from the northern wilderness to the vibrant Okanagan, where she finds inspiration in every brushstroke. Visit annemarieharvey.com for more about the artist and meadowlarkfestival.ca for details on the festival.

We are honoured to work with our Guest Curator Kagan Goh along with a number of incredible community partners including; Gallery Gachet, the Community Arts Council of Vancouver, Connection Salon, Workman Arts, Rendezvous With Madness and Voices With Impact. As a direct result of this collaboration, we are pleased to be able to present the Gifts of Madness exhibition her at the Penticton Art Gallery which we hope will continue on in some form at one of our presenting partners later this year.

In 2022, the Vernon Public Art Gallery joined forces with Calgary-based artist Katie Green and the Turning Points Collaborative Society to develop an ambitious multifaceted public art project. The result was, Behind the Mask, a community driven public art process that uses handmade masks as a way to build community, find healing, and explore self. Katie Green collaborated closely with 10 individuals from the community and together they came together in an intimate three-part workshop series that included round circle sharing, journaling, mask-making, and creative character development.

The Penticton Art Gallery is seeking the public’s input on Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program in the form of a handwritten, typewritten letter or email to be displayed in the gallery from March 23 – May 11, 2024, as part of our MAID in Canada exhibition.

The intent of this exhibition is to provide the community with a safe space to reflect, talk and explore the impacts and the implications of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program. If it hasn’t impacted your life already it’s only a matter of time before you or someone you know will be directly impacted by it.

The Penticton Art Gallery's Adopt a Painting Program is a pivotal force in the recent growth of our Permanent Collection. Despite the majority of artworks in our collection being acquired through donations, this initiative has emerged as a dynamic catalyst for securing significant pieces through crowdsourced fundraising efforts. Our selection process undergoes a comprehensive evaluation to ensure that each acquisition not only enhances the depth of our collection but also strategically addresses gaps, thereby enriching the overall significance of our gallery holdings.

Established in 1972, the Penticton Art Gallery's Permanent Collection has expanded and grown over the years through a combination of donations and occasional purchases. Encompassing paintings, sculptures, drawings, printmaking, ceramics, and photography, the collection stands as a powerful testament to the prevailing issues shaping our times.

Collections like that of the Penticton Art Gallery inspire us to recognize art as integral to the human experience, shaping collective memory and influencing public discourse.

The En’owkin Centre is an Indigenous post-secondary arts and cultural centre located on the Penticton Indian Reserve. En'owkin's unique building design reflects a traditional Okanagan winter home also known as a pit house. It is a gathering place where families and community members can replenish themselves spiritually and is also a teaching place where story, co-operation, craft and artistry come together. The En'owkin Centre (hereafter referred to as En'owkin) is a dynamic institution, which puts into practice the principles of self-determination and the validation of cultural aspirations and identity.

In 2020, artist Robert Dmytruk embarked on a transformative journey into three-dimensional painting, experimenting with vibrant mediums on diverse surfaces. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped his career, leading to a creative exchange with composer Murray J Reid, particularly influenced by Reid's composition '1987.' In 2022, inspired by Murray's symphonic work 'Ukraine' and deeply moved by the ongoing war, Dmytruk transitioned to charcoal on paper to convey his emotional response effectively. These contrasting exhibitions, collectively titled "Enigma," explore the themes of an outward 'self' and an 'inner subconsciousness,' reflecting Robert's artistic evolution and the complexities of the human experience.

Shizuye Violet Takashima, born in 1928 in Vancouver, faced early health challenges but persevered. At thirteen, she was interned with her family during World War II, spending three years at the Orchard Internment Camp in New Denver, BC. After the war, she relocated to Hamilton, Ontario, where she worked as a domestic servant and pursued her art studies. With her passion for art, she became a prominent Nisei painter in Canada, known for her skillful and sensitive figurative paintings.

William Richard Reid, born in 1930, has dedicated himself to producing thousands of works of art throughout his 93 years. Despite not following the traditional path of an exhibiting artist, his commitment to creating speaks volumes about his passion for his craft. Richard's art became intertwined with his caregiving responsibilities after his wife's passing and the onset of the global pandemic. In this challenging period, his paintings and writings served as a means of documenting and exploring grief and memory. Through his art, Richard offers a glimpse into his inner world and exemplifies the healing power of artistic expression. His artistic legacy showcases the enduring impact of art for self-expression, introspection, and personal understanding.

Noll Derriksan's artistic journey began in the 1960s, making him one of the first contemporary syilx artists in the Okanagan. He drew inspiration from syilx culture, childhood teachings, and native species, creating a unique visual language that continues to influence contemporary syilx artists today.

The annual exhibition of artwork by visual arts students from Princess Margaret, Penticton Secondary, and Summerland Secondary showcases the importance of arts education in our schools. It encompasses a diverse range of student work such as painting, drawing, photography, film, digital media, and sculpture. Each piece of art reflects the students' distinct perspectives and voices, emphasizing the power of art as a medium of communication and self-expression.

Collecting and living with art not only provides children with a creative outlet for self-expression, but it also fosters a range of developmental benefits. From cognitive development to emotional intelligence and cultural awareness, art can help children grow into well-rounded individuals who appreciate beauty, creativity, and diversity. That's why we're dedicated to supporting and encouraging artistic exploration in our youth by inspiring them to build a collection that reflects their unique personalities and passions. A collection is something that can be cherished for a lifetime and serves as a meaningful and unique reminder of our life’s journey.

This exhibition showcases Stephanie's deep connection to nature and her desire to capture its emotions through vibrant and whimsical paintings. Her artwork reflects the harmony between the natural world and ourselves, inviting viewers to explore the profound beauty that surrounds us. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in Stephanie Perry's extraordinary vision of nature's wonders. This exhibition in conjunction with the Meadowlark Nature Festival.