Anne-Marie Harvey showcased her work at the Okanagan Art Gallery’s third instalment of their new First Friday Receptions on Friday evening. Harvey is also one of 16 artists with work in the On the Wall, a juried show by the Federation of Canadian Artists opening at the Art Gallery Osoyoos on March 9. (Vanessa Broadbent photo)
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
South Okanagan artists are gearing up for what they call one of the best juried collections of art in the area.
On the Wall, the Federation of Canadian Artists’ annual art show and sale is returning to the Art Gallery Osoyoos for the month of March.
Pieces submitted from artists across the South Okanagan and Similkameen regions are selected by three independent jurors from Vancouver.
“What you get is a relatively high standard of art,” organizer and participating artist Michael Jorden said.
“We have a lot of really good members in the South Okanagan and this is probably the best juried collection you’ll find.”
Jorden is one of 16 artists showcasing 45 pieces of art. Most are acrylic paintings but several artists use water colours and oils. There are a few encaustic (wax on wood) pieces as well.
• Read more: First Friday receptions a chance for public to learn about art
At an opening reception, the jurors’ favourite pieces are recognized with an awards ceremony.
Each juror gives each piece between one and seven points, and the top three aggregate scores out of 21 are awarded.
“It’s very fair and impartial,” Jorden said.
The show doesn’t adhere to a specific theme and is open to artists’ interpretation.
The name, however, changes every year. This year it’s called On the Wall, which Jorden said doesn’t reference anything other than where the art is hanging.
“As my friend Sandra Albo says, the hardest thing for an artist to do after painting a good picture is finding a good wall to put it on,” he said. “I took that to heart; it really is true.
“For an artist, next to making a sale, just having a wall where people can look at your art is the very best thing.”
On the Wall is showing at the Art Gallery Osoyoos (8713 Main Street) from March 9 to 30. The gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m.
The opening reception is on March 9 with awards being given at 1 p.m.
