Arts and culture

Simon Orlando is working to ensure women and marginalized people are equally represented in ballet (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Ballet Kelowna leaps towards gender equality

Women are under-represented as ballet choreographers in Canada

Simon Orlando is working to ensure women and marginalized people are equally represented in ballet (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Revenues through public swims are up 71 per cent since the first quarterly update in 2021, with a total of $137,971 brought in as a result of the service. (City of Penticton)

‘Near pre-pandemic service levels’ for Penticton’s recreation and culture programs

Majority of financial targets for start of 2022 are on track despite staffing shortages, city says

Revenues through public swims are up 71 per cent since the first quarterly update in 2021, with a total of $137,971 brought in as a result of the service. (City of Penticton)
Artists in action were part of the Lake-to-Lake Art Walk Saturday, April 2. The inaugural edition of the Ignite the Arts Festival pulled in over $60,000 for the Penticton economy. The nine-day celebration of arts and culture ended on April 3. (Picture This Custom Framing photo)

Penticton’s Ignite the Arts Festival a ‘tremendous’ success for community and economy

Over 500 artists from across the province participated in the nine-day festival

Artists in action were part of the Lake-to-Lake Art Walk Saturday, April 2. The inaugural edition of the Ignite the Arts Festival pulled in over $60,000 for the Penticton economy. The nine-day celebration of arts and culture ended on April 3. (Picture This Custom Framing photo)
Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

QUIZ: How much do you know about poems and poetry?

April is National Poetry Month in Canada

Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Ignite the Arts Festival’s Sculpture Contest brought the most out of the community members on Saturday, April 2, at Okanagan Lake Park. A group of judges named co-winners at 4 p.m. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

PHOTOS: Creativity shines at Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest in Penticton

Judges awarded the contest’s co-winners $100 at Okanagan Lake Park

Ignite the Arts Festival’s Sculpture Contest brought the most out of the community members on Saturday, April 2, at Okanagan Lake Park. A group of judges named co-winners at 4 p.m. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
Penticton’s 2022 Ignite the Arts Festival will run from March 25 to April 3, beginning at Cannery Brewery with a mural unveiling. (Cannery Brewery)

Inaugural edition of Ignite the Arts Festival lights up Penticton

Over 1000 people are expected to be involved until the festival’s closing on April 3

Penticton’s 2022 Ignite the Arts Festival will run from March 25 to April 3, beginning at Cannery Brewery with a mural unveiling. (Cannery Brewery)
The Penticton Art Gallery, led by curator Paul Crawford (middle), is gearing up for the inaugural edition of the Ignite the Arts Festival, set to begin on March 25. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

‘Opportunity to rebuild the community’: Ignite the Arts Festival ready bring Penticton together

The inaugural edition of the festival will take place from March 25 to April 3

The Penticton Art Gallery, led by curator Paul Crawford (middle), is gearing up for the inaugural edition of the Ignite the Arts Festival, set to begin on March 25. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)
Penticton Art Gallery curator and director Paul Crawford pictured during the 42nd annual live auction. The gallery is currently preparing for the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival, which has prompted the need for more volunteers. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Penticton Art Gallery on the hunt for volunteers for Ignite the Arts Festival

The inaugural festival begins on March 25 and goes until April 3

Penticton Art Gallery curator and director Paul Crawford pictured during the 42nd annual live auction. The gallery is currently preparing for the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival, which has prompted the need for more volunteers. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Community members will have an opportunity to compete in a sculpture contest on April 2 in Penticton, courtesy of the city’s art gallery and the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

‘Sculpture Day’ contest at Okanagan Lake Park coming to Penticton this spring

The event will take place during the inaugural Ignite the Arts festival on April 2

Community members will have an opportunity to compete in a sculpture contest on April 2 in Penticton, courtesy of the city’s art gallery and the inaugural Ignite the Arts Festival. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Tattoo artist anger over new European rules goes beyond skin deep

Commission says alternatives to the banned products do exist

FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Penticton's Art Council is set to close its second annual winter auction on Friday (Dec. 17) after raising over $2,000 in support of local art. (Photo courtesy of the Penticton District and Community Arts Council)

Penticton’s art council prepares over 750 gift packages for children and seniors

The council’s second annual Winter Auction is set to close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 17

Penticton's Art Council is set to close its second annual winter auction on Friday (Dec. 17) after raising over $2,000 in support of local art. (Photo courtesy of the Penticton District and Community Arts Council)
The Penticton Art Gallery's 44th annual auction wraps up on Dec. 5. (Monique Tamminga, Western News)

Penticton Art Gallery to send off 2021 with three-day weekend extraordinaire

The weekend kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday with all of the works on display

The Penticton Art Gallery's 44th annual auction wraps up on Dec. 5. (Monique Tamminga, Western News)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Island artist Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Nancy Schmidt has donated her four-foot mammoth tusk to the Penticton Art Gallery’s upcoming auction. (Submitted)

44th annual Penticton Art Auction set for early December

Pre-bidding has been open since July 26 and will close 24 hours prior to the live auction

Nancy Schmidt has donated her four-foot mammoth tusk to the Penticton Art Gallery’s upcoming auction. (Submitted)
(Contributed by Michelle Malan)

Sparwood seniors pose as firefighters in fundraising calendar

Funds raised will go towards the supported living facility

(Contributed by Michelle Malan)
A concept rendering of the proposed 13 storey tower at 350 Doyle Avenue in downtown Kelowna. (Rise Commercial Developments/Contributed)

Kelowna city council moves forward with creative hub plans at former RCMP detatchment

This concludes phase one of the feasibility study

A concept rendering of the proposed 13 storey tower at 350 Doyle Avenue in downtown Kelowna. (Rise Commercial Developments/Contributed)
Tattoo artist Kirk Sheppard at work on Nov. 5 at Urge 3 Tattoos in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Urge 3 takes tattoos to a new level in Penticton

The artists were recognized by readers as the Best of the South Okanagan

Tattoo artist Kirk Sheppard at work on Nov. 5 at Urge 3 Tattoos in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The Children’s Showcase invited Axis Theatre to present in the Cleland Community Theatre, one of many venues and organizations that MP Richard Cannings wished he could have recognized in his statement on the House of Commons floor. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

City and culture on track to pre-pandemic return in Penticton

Use of fields, community centre and theatre are looking positive for 2022

The Children’s Showcase invited Axis Theatre to present in the Cleland Community Theatre, one of many venues and organizations that MP Richard Cannings wished he could have recognized in his statement on the House of Commons floor. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Renovation work has been completed at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre in Summerland. The work at the building on Wharton Street cost just under $600,000. (Contributed)

Summerland arts centre now has a new look and name

Facility has been named George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre

Renovation work has been completed at the George Ryga Arts and Cultural Centre in Summerland. The work at the building on Wharton Street cost just under $600,000. (Contributed)
Nancy Schmidt has donated her four foot mammoth tusk to the Penticton Art Gallery’s upcoming auction. (Submitted)

Bidding extended as Penticton Art Gallery live auction goes fully virtual

The live and silent auction will be held on Dec. 5 instead

Nancy Schmidt has donated her four foot mammoth tusk to the Penticton Art Gallery’s upcoming auction. (Submitted)