Best in Show:
Merle Somerville (Photography) The Old Church (above)
Watercolours:
1. Janice Goodman: Moonlight
2. Hella Prochaska: Released (SOLD)
3. Luba Chpak: New Day
Acrylics:
1. Marion Trimble: Mountain Retreat to Hidden Lake
2. Dianne Bersea: Sunset Bluff tie
2. Janet West: Trees tie (SOLD)
3. Tara Hovanes: Red Pines 1908 tie (SOLD)
3. Cameron Ogilvie: Casual Stroll on a Cobbled Street tie
Oils:
1. Colleen Polychroniou, Colour in Floral (SOLD)
2. Michael Arne Jorden: Longterm Parking – Pueblo + Ramada
3. Rod Gould: Mr. Attitude
Fibre Arts:
1. Anne Rayner-Gould, Island Twilight
2. Janice Goodman: First Light
3. Joan Swan: Twisted Ribbon
Three Dimensional:
1. Pamela Klassen, Shhhh!
2. Doug Morton: Local Lake Legend
3. Kelly Fraser: The Mighty Heron
Photography:
1. Paul Eby: Osoyoos Fog (below)
2. Merle Somerville: Old Church
3. Jack Bennest: Entry One
Other Media:
1. Jim Kemes, Rendezvous #2
2. Michael Randle: Bob
3. Bev Alexander: Chippies
Emerging Artists (uncer 18 yrs):
1. Sadi Bleiken, A Wild Hymn We Sing
2. Olivia Ruddiman: A Mirrored Past
3. Mateya Leinor: Bill’s Cat
The quality of submitted art was high, the numbers deep, and the competition stiff. The voting public had a very tough time selecting top artists in each category from the total 124 entrants. Kudos to all who entered: your work was phenomenal!
Of special note: It was nearly impossible to distinguish the children’s art from the adult submissions. From neon origami installations, to crisply detailed photography, to vibrant paintings, to moody charcoal, their artwork was much appreciated by visitors. And yes, their work was selling as fast as the adults’ — with some commanding similar dollar values. The arts council would like to acknowledge the number of quality submissions from the Grade 2 and 3 class at Sen Pok Chin. Bright, cheerful rich paintings of deserved merit. Watch out folks — “here come the young”!
The three-dimensional category was well-represented this year, and one of the hardest to judge. Pamela Klassen’s stunning copper necklace, Shhh!, placed first. In the same category were a set of delightful bookends (Linda Blaschuk), a blown glass vase (Kelly Fraser), some tongue in cheek metal work (Kurt Hutterli and Doug Morton), stained glass objets (Bruno Klassen), a metal wine rack, a warm-toned wood and wheat sculpture (Sheila Houghton), and a jaw-dropping torso in brilliant blue plaster and beadwork (Diane Gane). If there had been a winner for the cleverest title, Wayne Borthwick would have earned it for his circle of scarlet high heeled shoes surrounding a half-drunk glass of red wine: “Red over Heels”
Fibre arts were equally stunning: a woven jacket in lime green and tangerine by Gail Erickson, luminous needlework by Janice Goodman, beaded and jewel-toned quilting by Janet West and Anne Rayner-Gould, and a whimsical feathery tie by Terry Irvine. Whether for the runway or the wall, these works had style.
Photography had a huge showing of twenty-one entries, our largest ever in this category. Eby’s Anarchist panorama of Osoyoos captured first place. Other landscapes were breath-taking: bright green fields Jeremy Cook), monochromatic morning frost (both Brandt Leinor and Dan Hodgson), and weather-beaten buildings (Merle Somerville and Paul Eby’s second entry). Portrait photographers were just as eye-catching: ballet dancers “en saute” (Val Friesen), a small-town game of poker (Bob Park), and a fire-lit story-telling scene (Russell Work).
Collage, mixed media, and digital media were grouped under the category “Other Media”. Here was the greatest breadth of subject matter. Powerful and provocative works such as fleshy flowers with nudes (Luba Chpak), a Picasso-inspired battle scene, and a barbed wire commemoration of Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” (“Bob” by Michael Randle), were juxtaposed against tranquil scenes of still life, animals, and portraits.
Working in oils were several members of the Oliver Art Gallery, including second and third place finishers Michael Jorden and Rod Gould. Gould captured perfectly the cocked head and pricked ears of horse trotting intently toward the viewer in “Mr Attitude”. First place went to Colleen Polychroniou for the fiery hot “Color in Floral”.
Watercolourists excelled in peaceful scenes such as Goodman’s “Moonlight” and Chpak’s “New Day” diptych. Prochaska’s “Released” was a stimulating work with its fiery colour and abstract subject. Adam Silbernagel was a refreshing contrast with an almost tattoo-like entry, “Sink or Swim”. Marilyn Marsel’s eye-catching “Doors” with its picture frame complete with a real door knob sold quickly.
Acrylics had the largest number of entries: 24, and with some very skilled entrants was one of the toughest to judge. Sandra Albo, Cameron Ogilvie (3rd), Jane Scheffler, and Leza Macdonald of Oliver Art Gallery and Deanne Bersea (2nd) and Jodi Forster of Manzanita Muse Studio, and solo studio artist Tara Hovanes (3rd) among them. The voting public acknowledged the difficulty in awarding prizes with two two-way ties in this category. A deserving firtst to Marion Trimble, and rounded out with a 2nd to Janet West’s “Trees” which also sold quickly.
Sunday’s show and sale continues as part of the ticketed admission to Festival of the Grape. Come view all 124 entries in the artistic competition, and compete for yourself in the silent auction!
Folks, the artwork on display is truly amazing. It is easily the finest showing of art the Oliver Community Arts Council has ever mounted. The most frequent comments at Saturday’s show? “I can’t believe the talent we have here in the South Okanagan!” Why admire it just the once when you can continue to enjoy it in your home or business? Be the one with the truly memorable conversation piece. You won’t regret an artistic purchase at the
