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Steampunk dance party and art exhibit opening in Penticton

For the second and final time, the Penticton Art Gallery will be holding an exhibition opening and steampunk-themed dance party.
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Penticton artist Kristine Lee works on one of her works at her South Main Street home studio this week. She will be one of the exhibitors at the March 18 Steampunk art show put on by the Penticton Art Gallery and held at the SS Sicamous.

For the second and final time, the Penticton Art Gallery will be holding an exhibition opening and steampunk-themed dance party.

After holding an exhibition on steampunk art in partnership with the Penticton Museum last year, curator Paul Crawford explained they have decided to hold it one last time. The exhibition opening will be held on March 18, with the steampunk dance taking place the following day. The events will signify the wrap up of Steam Fest, which has been going on for two years as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the K.V.R. and SS Sicamous.

“Steam Fest was spearheaded by the Penticton Museum, K.V.R. Railway and SS Sicamous Society,” Crawford described.  “Last year we did an exhibition on studying the steampunk aesthetic.  It was a way of bringing this whole event out in to the public domain.  It was so well received, we must have had 500 people here at the party.  We talked to the museum, and we both decided it would be great to revisit it and celebrate the end of the event they’ve been putting on over the past two years.”

Steampunk is a re-imaging of the modern world, incorporating 19th century aesthetics with steam and gear-driven versions of technology, fashion and culture. For Saturday’s steampunk party, attendees are invited to dress in their best steampunk attire, although it is by no means required to attend.  Crawford noted last year about 50 per cent of the party-goers were dressed up, and it was like attending an amazing fantasy fashion show.  The steampunk dance party will not only have fantastical costumes to observe, but will also feature a live band, DJ and circus performers.

The exhibition will open at 7 p.m. on March 18, and will feature three galleries, each from a different artist.  Penticton’s Kristine Lee is one of those artists, and she explained the theme of her gallery.

“The title for my exhibit is Tarnished Saints,” she said.  “So it’s basically stating how we’re all flawed, but still perfect.”

Lee has painted several new pieces for the exhibit, and has one steampunk piece that was also in last year’s event.  Although Lee has had her artwork on display many times over the years, this will be the first time she has had her own gallery, something she is both nervous and excited about.

The exhibition opening and artist talks will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and the steampunk-themed dance party will take place on March 19 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.  Both events will take place at the Penticton Art Gallery, and have a suggested admission by donation of $10.