By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos’ First Friday Art Walk has expanded with the Osoyoos & District Museum and Archive joining three local galleries that have been conducting a monthly art event aimed at bringing some vibrancy to downtown in the off-season.
The resident Artists on Main group will have their work on display at The Art Gallery Osoyoos (TAGO) with their latest exhibition “The Square Foot Show” opening on Wednesday, March 5.
As the name suggests, this show features a collection of paintings measuring 12 x 12 inches (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm which clearly doesn’t have the same ring to it).
Artists on Main is a group of artists of all skill levels from beginners to professionals working in a variety of mediums and styles that has been active in the Osoyoos art community since 1950.
The gallery’s Anne Marie Damjanovic highlights that membership in the club provides artists with support and opportunities to learn, meet and socialize with other artists and display their work in the community. “We are excited to welcome this collective of talented artists to showcase their unique works this month!”
On Friday, Mar. 7 the gallery will be holding a reception, with refreshments and artists on hand, for the show opening which coincides with Osoyoos’ monthly First Friday event which sees participating galleries in town hosting events and opening later into the evening. This includes Wayside Gallery and Select Books along with the Okanagan Art Gallery, both in Osoyoos.
Wayside Select Books and Select Arts (8317 Main St., tel. 250-486-2929) is hosting an opening reception for their featured artist Barbara Freese and her “Delicate Life” collection of watercolours. The Okanagan Art Gallery (8302 Main St., tel. 778-437-2238) will be hosting their popular First Friday event where visitors can mingle with their artists, view their new works and watch live art demos as well as enjoy refreshments including wine by the glass for purchase.
The winner of The Art Gallery Osoyoos quilt raffle (with proceeds going to Desert Sun Counselling) is Joanne Schaffrick is shown with Osoyoos Quilters Guild President Gail Brady.
TAGO photo
And for the first time, the Osoyoos Museum (8702 Main St., tel. 250-495-2582) is joining the First Friday lineup of free events. Kara Burton, executive director of the Osoyoos District Museum and Archives said they will have refreshments and visitors can wander the gallery and view the exhibits.
She notes there won’t be any show opening or special exhibition, at least this time, as the museum tends to have a more static display as compared to the galleries that rotate shows on a more regular basis.
“We’ll be a regular participant in the First Friday Art Walk,” she said adding that they will fine-tune their offering as they go forward. Overall she thinks it’s “a great idea to combine forces to do this sort of ‘culture crawl’ kind of thing,” and bring more people into the downtown.
All events will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and as Damjanovic notes, “It’s a great way to spend a Friday night in downtown Osoyoos and support local artists and businesses.”
Meanwhile, the Quilters Guild recently wrapped up their exhibition at TAGO with Joanne Schaffrick winning the quilt raffle. Proceeds from the raffle go to support Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre.
And the Canadian Quilter’s Association “People’s Choice Award” went to Gail Brady for her piece titled “Colour My World”.
The Canadian Quilter’s Association “People’s Choice Award” is presented to Gail Brady for her quilt “Colour My World” by Linda Clark (left).
TAGO photo
The Square Foot Show by Artists on Main will run from Mar. 5 to Mar. 29 at TAGO, 8713 Main Street, Osoyoos. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for more information call 250-495-2800.
