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JUNE - JULY 2026

VERNON PUBLIC ART GALLERY

3228 31st Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 2H3 (250) 545-3173 info@vernonpublicartgallery.com www.vernonpublicartgallery.com VPAG acknowledges our presence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓ xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. We recognize, honour, and respect the syilx / Okanagan lands upon which we live, work, and play.

Hours: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Closed Closed 10 am to 5 pm 10 am to 5 pm 10 am to 5 pm 10 am to 5 pm 11 am to 4 pm

Cover image: Clifford Jasper Ozee, M1, M2 S2, (detail) 2026, Powder-coated steel. Image courtesy of the University of British Columbia Okanagan

The Vernon Public Art Gallery is a registered not-for-profit society. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of BC's Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, British Columbia Arts Council, the Government of Canada, Corporate Donations, Sponsorships, Foundation Grants, General Donations and Memberships. Charitable Organization #108113358RR

Letter from the Executive Director As we move into summer, the Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to present a new set of exhibitions that celebrate creativity and connection. From emerging voices to established artists, our exhibitions invite visitors to engage with diverse perspectives and contemporary artistic practices. This season, the gallery is proud to present four exhibitions: Emergence, Fireline Kinship, Through Our Eyes, and Gathered. Emergence, always a fan favourite, features recent BFA graduates from UBCO, showcasing a range of innovative approaches in research and studio practice. Taylor Baptiste’s Fireline Kinship reflects on one’s relationship with the land and the role of community in navigating loss, resilience, and renewal. Through Our Eyes by Teen Junction offers youth a platform for expression, building connection through the arts. Gathered from the SD#22 Indigenous Students is part of an ongoing partnership as a community-based exhibition. Together, the exhibitions encourage discovery while emphasizing the important role the arts play in fostering vibrant and connected communities. Summer at the gallery is always a busy time and this year we are preparing for a major milestone event. On July 15, 2026, the Vernon Public Art Gallery will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, our annual fundraising evening and the longest-running art auction in Vernon. We look forward to bringing the community together for an unforgettable evening of art and memories, showcasing the growth and impact we’ve all had on the visual arts in Greater Vernon. Riot on the Roof will also be returning on August 22, 2026 for another exciting year in support of emerging artists and musicians. As always, thank you to our members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, artists, and visitors for your generosity and enthusiasm, making the VPAG a welcoming place for creativity, learning, and cultural connection. We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery this summer and sharing these inspiring exhibitions and events with you. Fondly,

Calendar of Events

June 3

MEA Art Submission Deadline

June 5

First Friday Art Trail with Cathy Shultz

June 20

Last Day to see Gathered

11:00 am to 4:00 pm June 25 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

MEA Auction Preview Opening Reception

July 1

Closed for Canada Day

July 11 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Last Day to see MEA Auction Preview

July 15 6:00 pm

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts

Opening Receptions are generously supported by:

Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, 2025. Image credit: SVOI Media

A look back at the exhibition Portals to Elsewhere by Amy J. Dyck, on display from March 20th to May 20th, 2026.

Upcoming Exhibitions May 21 to June 20

Gathered SD#22 Indigenous Students Community Gallery

May 29 to July 25

Emergence UBCO BFA Graduates Topham Brown Memorial Gallery

May 29 to July 29

Fireline Kinship Taylor Baptiste Caroline Galbraith Gallery

May 29 to July 29

Through Our Eyes Teen Junction Up-Front Gallery

A look back at the exhibition I’m In This World, Doing by Vivian Smith, on display from March 20th to May 20th, 2026.

June 26 to July 11

MEA Auction Preview Artists of Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts Community Gallery

July 24 to October 7

Creatrix Rising Archway Society for Domestic Peace Community Gallery

August 7 to October 7

Opera Obscura Mary Kavanagh Topham Brown Memorial Gallery

August 7 to October 7

Your Absence is Mineral Sarah Steves Caroline Galbraith & Up-Front Galleries

Emergence UBCO BFA Graduates May 29 - July 25, 2026 Topham Brown Memorial Gallery For over two decades, the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s annual Emergence exhibition has been developed in close collaboration with the University of British Columbia Okanagan, offering a first professional platform for a selection of graduating BFA and BMS students. The 2026 exhibition features work by Averi Boerboom, Trinity Davis, Rain Doody, Carly Johnson, Clifford Jasper Ozee, Stevie Poling, and Maya Taki—seven artists whose practices reflect both the diversity and urgency of this year’s graduating cohort. This year’s work is notably ambitious. Across disciplines, it is large, loud, and unapologetically present. Installation-based practices dominate, with artists constructing immersive environments that invite viewers not just to observe, but to enter worlds built through accumulation, texture, and spatial awareness. Sculpture and painting also play a significant role, foregrounding process and the visible trace of the artist’s hand. In a moment increasingly defined by the rise of artificial intelligence and digital production, these works insist on labour, material presence, and embodied making. What emerges across these practices is a shared investment in the deeply personal. Whether grappling with memory and loss, the fading textures of childhood, queer identity, inherited histories, or the instability of perception, each artist engages with what it means to be human in a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. From Boerboom’s tender meditations on memory and Alzheimer’s, to Doody’s embrace of the grotesque and imperfect, to Taki’s negotiation of mixed heritage through material and form, the works collectively resist detachment in favour of vulnerability and specificity. Rain Doody, Coke Float (detail), 2025. Mixed mediums. Image credit: University of British Columbia Okanagan

Taylor Baptiste, Fireline Kinship (film still), 2025, Nk’Mip, film (duration 5:18 min). Courtesy of the artist.

Fireline Kinship Taylor Baptiste May 29 - July 29, 2026 Caroline Galbraith Gallery Fireline Kinship is a multidisciplinary exhibition by Taylor Baptiste of the Osoyoos Indian Band and Syilx Okanagan Nation. Developed in response to intensifying climate realities in the Okanagan and the 2021 Nk’Mip wildfire, the work examines the relationship between fire, land stewardship, and cultural continuity, while reflecting on the processes of collective healing that follow environmental and community trauma. The exhibition features a short film alongside regalia and sculptural works that engage fire as both a site of loss and a catalyst for renewal. Through material, movement, and image, Baptiste reflects on kinship with the land, the responsibilities carried within that relationship, and the role of community in navigating loss, resilience, and renewal.

Teen Junction Through Our Eyes May 29 - July 29, 2026 Up-Front Gallery Through Our Eyes is an exhibition of artwork by youth from BGC Okanagan’s Teen Junction Youth Program. For years, Teen Junction and the Vernon Public Art Gallery have collaborated to create space for the voices and experiences of Vernon’s youth to be shared through art. Teen Junction is a dynamic, low-barrier environment where youth are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to build confidence, develop relationships, and explore creative expression. The works presented in Through Our Eyes reflect the importance of these spaces, demonstrating how art can become a powerful tool for self-expression, communication, and connection. This year’s exhibition explores the contrast between how youth feel they are perceived by society and how they truly see themselves. Through drawing, painting, mixed media, and personal storytelling, the artists challenge assumptions, share lived experiences, and reclaim their own narratives with honesty and vulnerability. Together, the works invite viewers to look beyond stereotypes and encounter these young people through a lens of resilience, individuality, and humanity. Special thanks to the staff and mentors at BGC Okanagan for the care, encouragement, and support they provide to youth in our community, and to Sara Isaac, whose dedication and leadership continue to guide and shape this exhibition each year. Teen Junction Artists, Through Our Eyes (detail), 2026. Mixed media installation.

Julieth Divinagracia, Four Food Chiefs (detail), 2026. Acrylic on canvas.

Gathered SD#22 Indigenous Students May 21 - June 20, 2026 Community Gallery Gathered celebrates the creativity, cultural knowledge, and artistic expression of Indigenous students from across School District No. 22. Featuring works by students from elementary through secondary school, the exhibition brings together a wide range of artistic approaches and materials, reflecting the unique perspectives and lived experiences of each young artist. Rooted in both tradition and contemporary expression, many of the works draw upon cultural teachings, connections to land and community, and personal narratives, while also engaging with the realities of the present moment. Together, these works speak to the importance of creativity as a space for storytelling, learning, and self-expression, offering a vibrant reflection of the many voices and experiences within Indigenous youth communities today. The School District No. 22 teachers who support and encourage these students’ artistic practices play an essential role in making this exhibition possible, and we extend our sincere gratitude for the care, time, and encouragement they continue to provide. Special thanks are also owed to Amiel Logan for his collaboration, generosity, and dedication in helping bring this exhibition together, and for the care and joy he brought to every stage of the project.

MEA Auction Preview Various Artists June 26 - July 11, 2026 Community Gallery The MEA Auction Preview offers a first look at the full collection of artworks generously donated by local and regional artists in support of the Vernon Public Art Gallery’s annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts fundraising auction. Installed in the gallery throughout the month leading up to the event, this exhibition invites visitors to experience the artworks in person, explore a wide range of creative practices, and learn more about the participating artists. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time bidder, the preview provides the perfect opportunity to plan your bids in advance and support the arts in your community. Don’t miss this chance to discover new artists, connect with the gallery, and help ensure the continued success of one of VPAG’s most important fundraising events of the year! Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts Auction Preview (installation), 2025.

V E R N O N P U B L I C A R T GA L L E RY PRESENTS

T H E 4 0 TH A N N U A L

JULY 15TH 2026 COLDSTREAM COMMUNITY HALL 9909 KALAMALKA RD, COLDSTREAM, BC

Join us for the 40th Annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, a fundraiser auction hosted by the Vernon Public Art Gallery each July. Bid on a curated collection of artwork, experiences, and packages, all in support of keeping the arts vibrant in Vernon.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW Art in the auction will be viewable at the MEA Auction Preview exhibition at the Gallery from June 26 to July 11. The event will begin at 6 pm on July 15, 2026 at Coldstream Hall, with the live auction beginning at 7:30 pm and the silent auction open for bids until 30 minutes after the end of the live auction.

FOOD | DRINK | FINE ART | EXPERIENCES

CALL FOR

EMERGING ARTISTS SEEKING creative WORK OF ALL KINDS SCAN TO APPLY

MUSIC 2D ARTWORK 3D ARTWORK PERFORMANCE WORK DIGITAL WORK & MORE

SUBMIT BY JUNE 30 MORE ON IG @RIOT_ONTHE_ROOF

DOWNTOWN VERNON PARKADE AUG 22 7-11 PM

Pinot and Paint evening at the gallery, 2025. Photo credit: Wayne Emde Photography

Programming Creative Circle Starting in September, we’ll be launching Creative Circle, a new adult critique club designed to bring artists together for meaningful conversation and community-based artistic growth. We are aiming for it to be a supportive, inspiring space for artists of all skill levels. Each month will have a different focus, from structured critique sessions to informal discussions, skill-building activities, guest artists, or opportunities to share works-in-progress. To ensure the program reflects the needs and interests of our creative community, we’re continuing to gather input from anyone who thinks this to sound interesting to help decide the subjects of the first few sessions.

Want to let us know your thoughts? Take the survey by scanning the QR code

Survey Form

Family Saturday art activity following a tour of the gallery.

Tours Did you know VPAG offers tours for all ages from school students to seniors and all curious visitors in between? Choose the experience that best supports your group’s goals and learning needs. We offer free selfguided visits with supporting activity sheets to help guide your exploration of the exhibitions, or low-cost in-depth facilitated tours led by our education staff, optionally paired with an art-making activity. Our educators design tours with you in mind, and we can adapt programming to fit your group’s needs, including alignment with school district curriculum, ensuring meaningful and engaging learning experiences. To book, contact us at education@vernonpublicartgallery.com.

Regional Reach Regional Reach is a traveling art education program designed to support schools, senior centres, and family service organizations both within Vernon and the surrounding outlying communities. The program ensures that high-quality arts education and meaningful hands-on creative experiences are accessible to everyone across the North Okanagan, regardless of location. Regional Reach is generously supported by:

Sarah Hope, Female Black Chinned Hummingbird (detail), 2024, watercolour paper on board. Retail price: $1200. Rental Price: $60/mo.

Art Rental Did you know the Vernon Public Art Gallery offers an Art Rental program? We feature a curated selection of artworks from talented local artists available for everyone to purchase. For those looking for more flexibility, our VPAG members enjoy the exclusive benefit of our Rent and Rent-to-Own programs. Artwork can be rented for a minimum of 3 months up to a maximum of 12. It’s a great option for your business or home and enables you to change up your art for the seasons or to try before you buy. Rental fees vary based on the value of the work and may be considered a tax-deductible business expense. To rent an artwork, stop by the gallery to view our current selection and our gift shop attendant will be happy to assist you. Local artists that would like to submit their artwork to the art rental program, please send submissions to info@vernonpublicartgallery.com. All submissions will go through a juried selection process within the gallery however, not all submissions will be accepted.

Bev Gordon, Abstract T, 2020, acrylic on canvas. Retail price: $450. Rental Price: $22.50/mo.

Volunteer art running at Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts, 2025. Photo credit: SVOI Media.

Volunteer at the 40th Annual MEA! This milestone event is made possible by the incredible support of our volunteers, and we’d love for you to be part of this year’s celebration. Volunteer Opportunities: Before, During, or After the Event Whether you’re available in the weeks leading up to the event, on the night itself, or for the clean-up, there are many ways to get involved. Pre-Event (June–July): Outreach, canvassing, and auction prep Day Before (July 14): Event setup and preparation Event Day (July 15): Setup, décor, guest services, bartending, art running, and tech support Wrap-Up (July 16): Venue takedown and cleanup

Ready to get started? Visit vernonpublicartgallery.com/event/mea or scan the QR code

Art Gallery visitors at an Opening Reception.

Become a Gallery Member Being a member of the Vernon Public Art Gallery is a vital investment in your community, sustaining the exhibitions, programs, and educational initiatives that make the visual arts accessible to everyone. Your support builds connections and invests in the cultural vibrancy of the entire region. Core Benefits Newsletter + E-News Access to Regional Reciprocal Membership Program 10% Gallery Shop Discount Members Only Events Join Here Discounts on Programs & Events Members Exhibition Participation AGM Voting Privileges Access to Art Rental Program

STUDENT $10.50 | INDIVIDUAL $35 | FAMILY $50 | CORPORATE $150

Art After Dark sponsored by Wooley & Co, 2026. Photo credit: Sara Skye Photography

Sponsorship Opportunities As the largest public gallery in the North Okanagan, the Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) connects our community to the visual arts through around twenty exhibitions each year, alongside other impactful community programs and signature events. Sponsorships directly support these exhibitions, events, and education programs, helping to grow creativity and cultural tourism in the region. Why Arts & Culture Matter Strengthen community & tourism through arts events that attract visitors and enhance Vernon’s cultural identity. Foster creativity & innovation with arts programs that build imagination, problem-solving, and innovation. Support youth & personal growth through ongoing arts programs like Crit Club, Family Saturdays, and Mini Artists. Drive economic growth with the millions that the arts contribute to the region, thereby supporting jobs and local spending. For more information please email admin@vernonpublicartgallery.com

New Faces at the Gallery James Jennings, Admin & Development Starting off as graphic design support for the gallery, James has now moved into the role of Admin and Development Coordinator. He brings with him experience in both computer software and the arts, as an artist himself.

Gwynneth Tansey, Events & Marketing After moving to Vernon in the Spring, Gwynneth joined the gallery team to support with marketing and events. With experience in marketing and public relations, Gwynneth brings her interest in arts & culture and design to her role at the gallery.

Liam O’Sullivan, Preparator After working for many years in the arts space, Liam has built a wealth of knowledge that he brings to his role as preparator. He’s also very multifaceted, sharing his love of rock climbing as an instructor.

Taylor Stewart, Youth Ambassador Returning for her second summer at the gallery, Taylor is a student at UBC, pursuing a dual degree in Visual Arts and Business Management. She’ll be bringing back her experience to take MEA and Riot on the Roof to the next level.

Ben Liman, Youth Ambassador As a musician, Ben has always been involved in his local community and engaged in the arts. He’s currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Indigenous Studies at U of T and is joining the gallery for the first time this summer.

Amy J. Dyck, Collage Series, 2026.

Board of Directors Sarah Kennedy – President Kyle Britton – Treasurer Anne-Marie Clancy Jay Gilman Louise Mcguire

Destanne Norris Bonnie Thomas Sigrid-Ann Thors Edward Woolley

Staff Dauna Kennedy – Executive Director Victoria Verge – Curator Lubos Culen – Curator Emeritus & Facility Advisor Liam O’Sullivan – Preparator Jordan MacDonald – Education Coordinator Samantha Ahize – Education Coordinator (on leave) Tom Knight – Bookkeeper Chantelle Bullen – Gallery Attendant Gwynneth Tansey – Marketing & Events Coordinator James Jennings – Development & Admin Coordinator

VPAG Sponsors Thank you to our sponsors for continuing to support Arts & Culture in the North Okanagan.

VPAG Partners We are grateful for the continued collaboration and support from the following VPAG Partners:

Tolko

Gumtree Catering

Algra Bros BigSteelBox

Browns Transport 107.5 Beach Radio

Wayside Press Sunbelt Rentals Apero Catering 105.7 The Ranch Mission Hill Winery Wedge Cheesery

Vernon Morning Star Kalamalka Security Okanagan Spring Brewery The Prestige Vernon Lodge North Okanagan Orthodontics Uprooted Kitchen & Catering Co.

A Special Thank You to Wayside Press for being our official Print Sponsor and helping us bring art to life on paper.