Osoyoos artist Sharon Leonard has been organizing annual art events in Osoyoos since 2011. This year she’s trying a new format and rebranding the event as Art About Town. Art will be on display in several locations at businesses and galleries, almost all within walking distance from the downtown. Over the years, the event has been known as Art in the Garden, Art in the Desert and last year Art in the Moonlight. Most years it was held in artists’ gardens, but the last two years it has been at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. (Richard McGuire file photo)

An annual Osoyoos art event, now in its eighth year, is moving downtown and trying a new format.

Art About Town will display the work of local artists at participating businesses and other venues in Osoyoos on Saturday, July 21.

The event is organized by Osoyoos artist Sharon Leonard, who originally partnered with fellow artist Katie Foster in 2011 to start Art in the Garden, which was held in the gardens of artists from Osoyoos to Keremeos.

After Foster left Osoyoos, the event moved to the Osoyoos Desert Centre in 2016 and 2017 and was known as Art in the Desert and Art in the Moonlight those two years respectively.

The Desert Centre will still be participating this year, hosting children’s art activities between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

But there were problems with showing art at that location, including blistering heat and winds that blew down some of the art. Also, said Leonard, some people mistakenly went to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, east of town, confusing it with the Osoyoos Desert Centre, which is north of town.

This year’s exhibition, which takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is more of an art walk, with most participating businesses within walking distance of the downtown.

A couple – Bordertown Vineyards and Estate Winery off Highway 97 and Tumbleweed Distillery and Tasting Bar on Lakeshore Drive – are a short drive from the downtown.

“We thought we would try and keep all the work in where people can get around quickly and visit everyone,” said Leonard. “I know some of the establishments are going to be serving wine and snacks.”

The art tour is open to people of all ages and there is no charge. The children’s activities at the Desert Centre during the daytime will require regular admission fees.

The exact number of artists is still not firm, but Leonard expects there to be paintings, pottery, jewelry, fibre art, quilting, sculpture, glasswork and photography.

The venues include the two full-time galleries – The Art Gallery Osoyoos and the Okanagan Art Gallery – as well as Jojo’s Café, which is also a regular art venue.

“We have both galleries in town, so that means there will be more artists than ever before participating,” said Leonard. “Other artists will be showing their work in the many different locations.”

Artists on Main will also be participating, showing work at their studio upstairs from The Art Gallery Osoyoos.

There will also be displays outside that gallery.

In addition to the art galleries, Jojo’s, Bordertown and Tumbleweed, there will also be displays at Bits and Bites Café at 8319 Main Street and the Osoyoos Times at 8712 Main Street.

“We’re hoping that tourists and people in town will come out on the Saturday night after dinner and see what the artists in Osoyoos can do,” said Leonard. “I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised with the quality of the work.”

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times