Osoyoos artist Janet Ruggles was hanging paintings Tuesday morning at the gallery for the Summer Artisan Market. The painting she’s putting a sticker on was by Sharon Olesen. The two artists are showing together. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Art Gallery Osoyoos is again becoming a Summer Artisan Market from now until Labour Day.
The show featuring Osoyoos painters, potters, quilters, photographers and more opens Saturday with about 32 artists, each with their own “stall” or section of wall.
This is the fourth summer in the market format, one of two each year. The other one is before Christmas.
“We’ve certainly learned that it’s a great thing to do over the summer,” said Sue Whittaker, gallery curator.
“It’s a nice opportunity for the artists to make some money over the summer,” she said. “There’s a lot of traffic.”
Unlike the regular shows that often feature more expensive pieces and may only sell a few if any, the artisan market sells many smaller pieces. And this also helps the gallery’s bottom line.
“We put in things that are less expensive,” said Whittaker, noting that the market is popular with tourists. “We don’t usually hang big paintings. First, it’s difficult to take them in your car, or if you’re flying – especially if they’re watercolours and you’ve got glass on them. So we try to encourage people to put in smaller pieces, so they’re less expensive and more movable.”
The 32 stalls are less than some previous years, but Whittaker said the goal was to make it less congested for customers walking around.
“You don’t have to worry about knocking somebody’s fine glass off with your elbow,” she said.
Among the works expected are watercolours, acrylics, oil paintings, photography, quilting, knitting, sewing of small articles such as children’s clothing, jewelry, glassware, pottery and woodcarving.
Whittaker said most of the artists and artisans have participated in previous markets.
A popular item, she said, is handmade cards.
“People who want to support the gallery but don’t have a lot of money to spend stop and buy a card,” she said. “They’re not leaving without putting something in the kitty.”
As with the other artisan markets, there is no opening reception. But the gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday throughout June.
From July to September, the gallery is on summer hours and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Art Gallery Osoyoos is located at 8713 Main Street, just west of town hall.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
