Barb Hillier, a local artist, has been painting for years, however her very first solo art show is taking place in a prominent Penticton spot.
At Tuesday’s Penticton city council meeting, Hillier’s work will be featured in council chambers.
“I’m one of these artists that just hide away and do my own thing. I just paint, I love it, and I’ve been so distracted with all the sports, even yesterday I wanted to paint, but we went up skate-skiing on Nickel Plate, so it’s hard for me to choose, there’s so much to do here,” Hillier said.
The public and anyone else attending a council meeting will be able to view Hillier’s work and those looking to purchase can get in touch with the Penticton Arts Council.
“I’m a little nervous, but it is very exciting,” Hillier said.
She originally came to the area after competing in the Ironman race in 2002, finding lots to do athletically and a ton of inspiriation visually.
“There’s a lot of sports and painting. I just love this valley. I trail run twice a week and mountain bike three, four times a week. So I’m always up in the hills getting the inspiration,” Hillier said.
Her paintings are based off her own photography, which fits well with her other hobby, birding. She paints both from photos and life with the works in council chambers portraying the Saturday market, the SS Sicamous and tug boats, guitar man Wayne Llewellyn and some local, plein air landscapes.
The Penticton Arts Council was able to take over curation of the space, where local art has been hanging for the past few years, from the Shatford Centre in an effort of collaboration, according to arts council executive director Vaelei Walkden-Brown.
“That was that relationship building between us and the Shatford Centre. It opened up new opportunities for the Penticton Art Council’s members. I didn’t realize Barb had never had a show before, so that’s even better,” Walkden-Brown said.
The work will remain in council chambers for around two months, with the arts council bringing other local artists to the space in the future.
Lori Mullin, recreation and culture manager for the City of Penticton and the city liason on the arts and creative culture innovations committee, said hosting local art in public places is a crucial part of supporting the community.
“I think it’s really important to be able to feature local artists and the amazing talents of the artists in our community within city facilities and this is one example,” Mullin said.
Another example of the city incorporating art is coming up with the hanging of the Canada 150 Mosaic at the community centre on Feb. 10.
Related: Tile mosaic ceremony taking place at community centre