“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Twyla Tharp
You won’t have to run away. The best art is here at home. Penticton painter, Glenn Clark and Oliver quilter, Marianne Parsons, two of our best artists are featured at the Oliver Community Arts Council’s 30th annual Fall Art Show and Sale, being held Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th in Oliver’s Community Hall. Although completely different in choice of medium, the similarity of these two artists is in the brilliance of their individual artistic execution.
Art and hockey are two passions of Clark. We see them come together in his mural of hometown heroes, the Penticton Vee’s hockey team, who won the 1955 World Cup. The grand mural on the Elk’s Club wall is extraordinary in its size and the likeness that portrays each team member. Clark’s portfolio documenting the event contains several large paintings, each capturing glimpses of the player’s joy at this victorious event.
Clark’s work doesn’t stop at portraiture. His landscape paintings record the unique colour, beauty and diversity of our country. Clark followed the routes of former B.C. artists Lawren Harris and E. J. Hughes, producing several series of “plein aire” oil sketches which illustrate with technical clarity and vividness his great love of the outdoors.
Clark is a wonderful artist who generously shares his passion by donating time and talent to many local endeavors. Our opportunity to spend time with the artist begins with his attendance at our Fall Art Show. Meet him at the show’s opening, Saturday, October 5th, at 3 pm and later at the show’s evening reception from 7 – 9 pm. His works will stay on display Sunday from 12 to 5 pm, but then access to the show is only with your ticket to the Festival of the Grape.
We know the South Okanagan produces some of the finest quilters in the country. Marianne Parsons is well-known both at home with the Double “O” Quilters and “The Fabricators,” and beyond the borders of Canada through international exhibitions in the field of fibre art. A skilled seamstress, watercolour artist, and fabric artist using batik and embroidery, Marianne has created many innovative and memorable pieces. Her close observations of nature are reflected in her work. “Set in Stone,” an art quilt featuring fossil formations in rocks, earned Marianne first place at Quilt Canada 2013, in the category, of “Abstract Pictorial Original Design.” Congratulations, Marianne!
As one of the original members of the Double “O” Quilters, Marianne’s main focus has been in exploring, teaching and writing about modern applications to traditional quilting techniques. In the process, she has created a number of competition and show pieces. Her expertise along with a willingness to pass on her knowledge locally and nationally in workshops and written articles earned her a prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award from the Canadian Quilters’ Association. To bedazzle the novice and enchant the experienced, featured artist Marianne will display some of her award winning art quilts to visitors of the OCAC’s Fall Art Show and Sale.
In addition, the Oliver Community Hall stage will be filled once again with the work of the Ripoff Artists. For their seventh year challenge, the nine artists ripped off Wassily Kandinsky’s “The Garden of Love.” Those who missed the week long open studio and just want to see the Ripoff interpretations once again can look forward to viewing the finished renditions of these nine varied and clever artists at the Fall Art Show and Sale.
Still another great display awaits you: “Cottages” by the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers. This guild created two cottages representing Canada and the USA for the Bellingham conference of the Association of Northwest Weavers Guild, with the theme: “Crossing Borders, Crossing Threads.” Members of the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers will be on hand to take your questions on the fabrication of these two amazing wet felted cottages. What imaginative, creative artists we have!
And there’s more! It must be the air we breathe, the beauty to behold, or the bounty of the valley that feeds our senses that makes amazing artists out of so many of our neighbours. Not to be outdone by the impressive works by the featured artists, the local guild and the Ripoff Artists collective, the artists who have entered works in the Fall Art Show are also sure to delight. All of the artwork they enter for your vote is for sale. You can take home an original acrylic, oil or watercolour painting; a photograph, 3-dimensional piece or mixed media object; or a work from the category of emerging artist for that perfect spot in your home. Perhaps all this creativity will stir your senses and have you purchasing an OCAC membership to support those who promote the arts in our community throughout the year. Join us!
We’re so fortunate to live in the south Okanagan where there is no need to run away. All this, as Twyla Tharp said, “without leaving home.”
The OCAC Fall Art Show and Sale will open Saturday, October 5th, at 3 p.m. with the opening reception that evening from 7 – 9 pm. All are welcome to come and vote for your favourite piece of art. The winners in the eight categories will be announced at the reception. Admission is free on Saturday, although donations to the OCAC are most welcomed and appreciated.
The show continues on Sunday from 12 – 5 pm, but entry is only through the gate for ticket holders of the Oliver “Festival of the Grape.” Enjoy two great events at once! The festival information is available on their website. Further information on the Oliver Arts Council or its Fall Art Show and Sale is available at: oliverartscouncil.org
