Next weekend, the Shatford Centre will play host to the first visual arts show to grace its halls since the building reopened earlier this spring.
Triptych brings together artists from the North, Central and South Okanagan chapters of the Federation of Canadian Artists in a single juried show, which runs from June 17 to July 27.
“We chose the name Triptych from having three chapters as part of our show,” said Kate Kimberley, one of the organizers, explaining that Triptych refers to an artwork presented in three related parts.
The result of inviting the two other chapters was 170 entries, which were sent on to the FCA in Vancouver where three jurors chose the images for inclusion in the show; 10 are coming from the North Okanagan, 15 from Central and 23 from artists in the local chapter.
One of the great things about having the show in the Shatford, said artist George Traicheff, is that the local FCA chapter has managed to gather enough grant funding to install a state of the art system for hanging art in the building.
That system will remain after the show has left as a permanent part of the space.
“That’s our gift to the community,” he said.
And, as the first major art show in the Shatford, they have invited a major artist to help get it started.
“Jane Shaak (Shatford Centre supervisor) invited Robert Genns to come open the show,” said Kimberley. “He is going to jury the top three prizes.”
Kimberley describes Genns as one of Canada’s most accomplished painters, perhaps best known for his work on the West Coast and in the Rocky Mountains.
But more than that, Traicheff said, Genns is also a tireless arts promoter, and will be giving a talk that evening.
“He is one of the most notable speakers in the arts. He has a website and a newsletter that goes out twice a week around the world,” said Traicheff. “He is really well respected, as an artist and an art business person.”
The opening reception and Genn’s talk are both open to the public, and begin at 7 p.m. on June 17. Kimberley and Traicheff are both hoping to see a strong showing from the community for this unique opportunity.
“We would like to have as many people here as possible to see the art work, to see Robert and to see the building,” said Traicheff.
More information is available online at www.fca-sos.ca or www.shatfordcentre.com.