Artists Deb Sherwin (left), Katie Foster and Jane Scheffler are among the many other local artists whose work is showing and on sale at the Osoyoos Art Gallery’s Artistans Market. There are close to 40 artists and artisans showing their work, 31 of them in individual spaces that they’ve filled with many types of artistic media. The exhibition runs until late August and the gallery is now open seven days a week. (Richard McGuire photo)
Osoyoos Art Gallery is trying a new format for its summer show this year.
The Artisans Market opened a few days early at the end of May and it runs until Aug. 22.
“We usually have a summer show where all the artists participate,” said Dianne Hughes, acting director of the gallery. “This year we’re trying a different concept where we divided the gallery into 31 individual spaces and the artists and artisans have a space.”
There is also a shared common space for some additional artists who don’t need the larger individual space.
The artists set up their space as they wanted, some bringing additional props including old shelving, Hughes said.
In the past, an artist might be limited to three paintings, but this year an artist doing painting and pottery, for example, could mix different media in their allocated space.
“So far it’s been very well received by the artisans,” she said. “It’s very colourful.”
The new format has the advantage of providing something different for local residents, who might have given the show a pass, figuring they’ve seen it all before.
Nonetheless, as Osoyoos fills with tourists during the busy summer season, many of the items are things a tourist may want to pick up as a reminder of Osoyoos.
The show is a rich mix of paintings, pottery, quilts, jewelry and other arts and crafts including even a photograph printed on metal by Peter Hovestad.
Unlike some shows, the work wasn’t juried, but Hughes said it was expected to keep to the standards of the gallery.
Artists and artisans received a letter in March explaining the new concept and most responded enthusiastically.
Many well-known local artists have work in the show, including Peter Scott, Bonny Roberts, Toni Ramsay, Ronna Matlin, Helen Fisher, Lisa Zbinden, Darlene Fillion, Katie Foster, Diane Zorn, Annemarie Fux, Claudia Punter, Sandy Albo and Jane Scheffler, to name just a few of the roughly 40 artists represented.
A glass case in front of the gallery displays a colourful poster for the show without dates on it.
“We figured if this concept really works, we’ll probably use it again next year,” said Hughes.
The Osoyoos Art Gallery is now open summer hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. It is located at 8713 Main Street, just west of Town Hall.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
