The 2010 Fall Art Show and Sale wrapped up Sunday October 3 with visitors remarking that it was one of the best shows ever. Many comments referred to the successfully represented theme: “Those Were the Days”. Not only did the competitive entries reminisce about days gone by, but the other exhibits and events reflected the same nostalgic theme. The Oliver and District Heritage Society mounted an attractive and interesting display of 1920s and 30s pop culture (toys, games, and film stills) and early Oliver life (home appliances, machinery and housewares). Guest artist Marianne Parsons demonstrated quilting techniques, surely a homesteading skill from Oliver’s early days. Two fund raising paintings also waxed nostalgic about summers in the South Okanagan.
A two-day silent auction of antiques and collectables from the early to mid 20th century drew many bids. Pictured at right, a bakelite vanity set from the 1930s commanded some competitive bidding. The Jazz Out West trio entertained at the Saturday reception with classic standards by Gershwin, Berlin, Cole Porter and more.
Almost 400 visitors signed the guestbook over two days, with an estimate of a few hundred more who didn’t stand in line to sign! Many of the art enthusiasts crowded around artwork that ended up winning or placing in their category.
Sue McCarrell’s two New Media entries, including best-in-show “Moment in Time”, attracted many questions about her transfer techniques. McCarrell combed the Oliver archives looking for old sepia photographs, letters and newspapers to create transfer images which, by means of a gel process, were then adhered to wood panelling.
A hushed audience gathered around Merle Somerville’s depiction of a snowy orchard in his giclee-on-canvas entry called “Days Gone By”. His photograph aquired a painterly quality by being reproduced on artists canvas with ink jet printing techniques (“giclee”) rather than on photo paper. It was easy to be drawn into the photograph by its skillful use of perspective and light.
The brash brushstrokes of Michael Randle’s primitive style abstracts reflected both his sense of humour and his love of bold colour. Wayne Borthwick’s “Home on the Range” got the most attention from children and the young at heart. The enormous model of a farmhouse, complete with walls that opened outward revealing furnished rooms within, was tempting to touch. Shirley Nilsson’s quilted hanging “School Days” glowed with fall colour; three-dimensional fabric leaves decorated the border. Emerging artist Megan Pedersen’s piece, “Ghost of a Memory” was a touching reminiscence about one of the most painful of memories, a lost love.
The Oliver Community Arts Council thanks all the entrants to the Fall Art Show and Sale. Together you have created an experience several hundred people will never forget! Here is the complete list of winners. Congratulations everyone!
List of 2010 Fall Art Show Winners
Best Interpretation of Theme Sue McCarrell: “Moment in Time” Painting (Representational) First: Eleanore Dempster ~ “The Way We Were” Second: Kerry Chung ~ “Past and Future” Third: Sandy Boblin ~ “The Coach” Painting (Abstract) First (tie): Tara Hovanes ~ “Untitled” First (tie): Michael Randle ~ Number 1 Project Third: Dona Smithson ~ “Last Tree Standing” Photography First: Merle Sommerville ~ “Days Gone By” Second: Val Friesen ~ “Oh yes, those were the days…” Third: Russell Work ~ “Oliver” Fibre Art: First: Shirley Nilsson ~ “School Days” Second (tie): A. Carole Grant ~ Relics Second (tie): Terry Irvine ~ The Past Revisited Three Dimensional First: Wayne Borthwick ~ “Home on the Range 1945” Second: Donna McLean ~ Beauty from the Forest Third: Donna McLean ~ A Look from the Past (3 pieces) New Media First: Sue McCarrell ~ “Moment in Time” Second: Marion Trimble ~ “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” Third: Sue McCarrell ~ “Vintage Pleasure” Emerging Artist (Under 19) Certificate of Merit: Megan Pedersen ~ “Ghost of a Memory”Do you have any comments on your Fall Art Show and Sale experience? Share them at olivercac@gmail.com and we’ll publish them.
At the BC Communities in Bloom Conference held in Hope BC on September 24 – 26, Oliver was awarded “Four out of Five Blooms”, recognizing a year of intensive landscaping and cleanup across the district. This is an astounding feat, as this is only Oliver’s first of two years in the provincial Communities in Bloom programme. This date also marks the anniversary of the idea to have Oliver participate in Communities in Bloom. What a way to commemorate a years work with four lovely Blooms!
