Celebrating Canadian art on Canada Day

“It’s all surrounding the theme of Canada,” Kamloops Arts Council Executive Director, Kathy Sinclair said. “So, what Canada means to you, it could be something in nature, it could be a reflection on … where you’ve come from and where you are today and it could be a reflection on our long vast history including our Aboriginal history in Canada. So, celebrating Canada’s 149th birthday, here we are with the OH CANADA! exhibition.”

The exhibition is a chance for artists from all over the Thompson Nicola Regional District to showcase their work.

“Primarily Kamloops, but you know, you’ll see some artists from the outlying areas, Lillooet, Pinantan, areas like that,” Sinclair said.

The display includes a wide variety of works, with pieces ranging from glow-in-the-dark paintings to metal work.

The OH CANADA! exhibition coincides with the Kamloops Arts Council’s Art in the Park event, a more than 40 year-old Canada Day tradition at Riverside Park.

“Here at the Kamloops Arts Council we really look forward to this day every year,” Sinclair said. “It’s one of the largest arts events in Kamloops. This year we have over 128 booths, so everything from clothing, handmade pottery and sculptures, paintings. You’ll see a little bit of everything, amazing day to go shopping and buy some gifts, but all handmade, locally crafted artwork.”

Art in the Park attracts approximately 30,000 people to Riverside Park each year, and Sinclair is hoping some of those visitors will wander into Heritage House to take in the OH CANADA! art exhibition.

“It’s a great chance to get out of the heat on Canada Day and have a little rest, browse some artwork in a nice air conditioned space. So we look forward to seeing everybody here.”

The second annual OH CANADA! art exhibition is free to attend, however, visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

by Jill Sperling

Celebrating Canadian art on Canada Day

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