Michael Jorden is one of the Osoyoos painters whose work will be shown at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. The show features paintings by members of the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Jorden’s work has a Western theme. Other Osoyoos artists showing include Sharon Leonard, Sandra Albo and Steve Chmilnitzky. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Some of the top artists in the South Okanagan will show their work at an exhibition opening Saturday at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
Colours in Winter is a juried show presented by the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA). It runs from Jan. 10 to Jan. 31.
The show will feature about 29 pieces from 12 artists, said organizer Michael Jorden, whose own Western-theme paintings will be in the show.
Other Osoyoos artists showing include Sandra Albo, Sharon Leonard and Steve Chmilnitzky.
Because the local FCA chapter is based in Penticton, other South Okanagan-Similkameen artists will also be represented, Jorden said.
The opening reception will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10 at noon. Awards presentations are scheduled for 1 p.m.
The works shown are predominantly paintings with oils, acrylic and watercolours. An exception is Carol Munro from Okanagan Falls, who works with encaustic, a mixed-media technique using wax.
“It’s really a combination of representational works, including landscape, figurative and still life as well as some pure abstract,” said Jorden. “So the whole gamut.”
The show marks the third consecutive year that FCA has held a juried exhibition at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.
The group has held other exhibitions elsewhere, but as Jorden points out, Penticton lacks a suitable public art gallery since the Penticton Art Gallery is booked far in advance.
Other spaces such as the Leir House Cultural Centre and the Shatford Centre aren’t as publicly accessible as the Osoyoos Art Gallery, Jorden said.
“I’m trying to make it a regular occasion for our gallery,” said Jorden. “January is not the best month of the year to encourage visitors. It would be nice for us if we could get something in the high season. That may happen sometime in the future, but meanwhile we’re grateful to be able to exhibit there.”
The works being shown are accepted under a jury process with three independent jury members viewing them on the internet in Vancouver, Victoria and Penticton, Jorden said.
The judges decide which works can be shown. Of the 16 artists who applied, only 12 were accepted.
Artists may enter up to three pieces. There were 10 pieces that had the support of all three judges, he said, adding that a senior judge will select the best in show from these submissions.
The FCA is a national body originally formed in 1941 by artists including Lawren Harris of the Group of Seven.
“The organization has been around for a long time and its purpose has been to foster excellence in the arts,” said Jorden. “I take membership in it very seriously because it’s a place where you have an opportunity to be judged by artists of significant accomplishment. If you want to get better, which most of us do, this is one of the ways to do it, so for our chapter, juried shows are really important.”
The local FCA chapter has about 90 members, Jorden said, but many of the members go away in the winter.
The Osoyoos Art Gallery is located at 8713 Main Street next to Town Hall. In winter it is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Sandra Albo is one of the Osoyoos painters whose work will be shown at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. The show features paintings by members of the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Albo’s work depicts historical landscapes and uses strong colours. Other Osoyoos artists showing include Sharon Leonard, Michael Jorden and Steve Chmilnitzky. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Sharon Leonard is one of the Osoyoos painters whose work will be shown at the Osoyoos Art Gallery. The show features paintings by members of the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Leonard’s work uses vibrant colours and features flowers, animals and abstracts. Other Osoyoos artists showing include Sandra Albo, Michael Jorden and Steve Chmilnitzky. (Richard McGuire file photo)
