This group exhibition is comprised of works by eleven advanced photography students from the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The works produced for the exhibition are marked by an interest in relationships between individual and collective experience, and the events that bring people together. Informed by diverse approaches to lens-based image makinng and culture, they explore the relationship between place and history, established norms and social gatherings, and, above all, specific ways of living together. These include a work based on historic footage of the Queen's visit to Vernon in 1959, and a party organized for the exhibition. The students have chosen collaborative practices and individual artistic production, and the diversity of their approaches reflects the Department of Creative Studies' aspiration to provide and opportunity for students to develop their work across a variety of disciplines and discourses.

Over the past few years, Gallery Vertigo has made it a tradition to showcase the works of visual arts students at UBC Okanagan with an annual exhibition dedicated to work produced in one medium. This year the advanced photography students who have been invited, and I, as their instructor, have had the priviledge of accompanying them as they prepared for the event. The works they have produced for the exhibtion are marked by an interest in the relationship between private and shared experiences as well as events that bring people together... I personally wish to salute Gallery Vertigo's commitment to UBC Okanagan's students, and I can only hope that for the participants, this invitation will mark the beginning of a long and fruitful journey into the world of independent artist culture in the Okanagan and beyond.

Marilou Lemmens, Photography Instructor, Department of  Creative Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan

Gallery Vertigo is pleased to present this group exhibition which marks the fourth annual exhibition of UBC Okanagan student work. I would like to thank the Creative Studies Faculty for continuing to encourage their students in this endeavour, in particular, this year’s instructor, Marilou Lemmens. It is a privilege to have this small glimpse into the art-making process as it unfolds. I applaud the involvement of the students in preparing, installing and presenting this exhibition. The enthusiasm evident is as inspiring as the work itself. Gallery Vertigo, the North Okanagan Artists Alternative and the North Okanagan community welcome the opportunity to view this thoughtful and compelling work.

Judith Jurica - Director, Gallery Vertigo

NOAA Members Wall Gallery - featured artist:
Robin McDonald: BLOCKHEADS

The BLOCKHEAD Series was inspired by the square shape of the canvas used for the Artists Anonymous fundraiser at the vernon Art Centre. I made one lonely BLOCKHEAD for the event and realized that it was necessary for the blockhead to have friends.
I Googled blockhead to see what it would have to say, and found that blockheads have a strong history with us, dating back to quotes from Martin Luther (1483-1546) sharing his low opinion of the blockhead.
The blockhead seems to me to be a communal self-portrait of the human species. It may be our way of humorously exploring our dark, stupid side. The side that resists thought at all costs. BUT, we also seem to embrace the lowly blockhead. there are blockhead bands, restaurants, comic characters, sheepdogs, and even the 'Book of Revelations for Blockheads', to explain our demise in layman's terms what they think most of us cannot grasp.
I, however, just wanted to  have fun with the blockheads and see how many different expressions I could devise out of all my bits and pieces of treasured trash. (McDonald)

Vertigo Window Gallery:
Trail Series: Cynthia Desnoyer

Recent paintings by Vernon artist Cynthia Desnoyer are featured in the Window Gallery on 30th Avenue. Stroll by and see what  this artist is currently working on. The sunny palette is sure to improve your January outlook.

Trail Series
A trail seems to represent safety, which is provided simply by it’s existence.  We know there is a path to follow back to civilization but there is also an element of wilderness and the unknown just off that trail. Just a few steps can make such a difference in our surroundings.  The “Trail Series” has grown out of understanding this concept. 

The exaggerated colours reference the power of sunrise and sunset and playfully saturate the entire scene in the richness, which in nature is limited in area and duration.  As a trail offers access to the brink of nature so the trail series invites the viewer into a vicarious stroll through these various paths.
(Cyndy Desnoyer)

Curriculum Vitae:

Exhibitions:

2007         Bliss Bakery, Peachland
2006         Artwalk, Lake Country
2005-8      Peachland Little Schoolhouse
2004-7      solo shows under the sponsorship of
Kelowna and District Arts Council, at Westbankand Kelowna
Libraries, Cottonwoods Centre, Kelowna Community Theatre
2003,4     ‘Conversations in Landscape’ a time-lapse series of landscape sketches, shown in Alternator Gallery Kelowna, and
Gallery Vertigo Vernon.
1978         an invited participant at 'Science in Art in Science' Ottawa.
1972,8    solo shows at Wells Gallery, Ottawa
1973         ‘Three Almonte Artists' - a joint exhibition
with Juan Geuer and Madeleine Moir
1970         two person show at Gallery One, Portsmouth, NH.
with NH artist Jane Kaufmann.

Works Displayed:

2006-8      Art Ark, Kelowna  
2005-8     member’s shows, Kelowna Art Gallery
2005,8      juried Spring show, Vertigo Gallery, Vernon
2004-8     members’ shows, Vertigo Gallery, Vernon
2001-7     members’ shows, Alternator Gallery, Kelowna.
1975        'Survey Exhibition No. 1' - Visual Arts Ottawa
1972-3     Art lending, AGO, Toronto
1972        'Kingston Spring Exhibition', Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston, Ont.
1970        New England Center for Continuing Education, Durham, NH
1968-70   New Hampshire Art Association Gallery, Manchester, NH.

Related Activities:

2005-8 – instructed  artists’ workshops, conducted demonstrations,  Peachland
2006,7 – 3 banners, for Peachland  artists’ series of banners.
2007 – commissioned Artisan Series Wine Label (Prospect Winery- Pinot Grigio)

Collections:

Work in collections in New Hampshire, Ontario, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, and the Okanagan.  Currently represented by Art Ark, Kelowna, B.C.

Artist Statement:
When we are in a place, we see not continuously, or all at once, but by glimpses, and our impression of that place is built up, glimpse by glimpse, into a collection of images that our mind organizes into one experience. In painting landscape, I seek to convey the message of the land, the story that it tells us.  So I decided to depict landscape as a series of ‘glimpses’, little bits that together tell the story. Nine was used, because it is large enough to allow enough variation to cover most of what was there in the larger landscape, and because it is small enough to permit one to see each glimpse for itself without missing the rest. Together these glimpses put us in the landscape, allowing us to re-experience the time when we were there.  Hopefully these experiences of mine will be yours also. (Jenkins)

Biography: 
Born Vernon, BC, I attended schools in Vancouver, Trail, and North Vancouver, then UBC and U of Calgary graduating with a doctorate in Cosmic Ray Physics in 1966.  Throughout my growing up, I had always drawn and painted, and, although I had chosen to follow my scientific side in my professional career, art remained a strong interest.   I began painting seriously with oil paintings of landscape, mostly, but with my move to the New England area and exposure to the New York art scene, gradually shifted to large minimalist geometric shaped canvases, and acrylic colour stains.  I continued in this vein when I moved back to Canada (Ottawa) to commence a career as a radio communications scientist with the federal government.  A number of exhibitions later, with the pressures of career and a young family, my painting was put on hold - I did not have the time or energy to do it all.  Since retirement, I have been able to restart my artistic endeavors from a very different perspective.  I enjoy hiking in the mountains, and began by drawing the things that I saw.  The earlier, abstract works reflected an inner sense of order and harmony; my present work in landscape is intended to celebrate the 'not always orderly' message of nature.  My scientific background continues to inform my art, and I strive toward integrating my scientific and artistic impulses in my work. (Jenkins)

Exhibition Proposals: Please print a copy of our form and send it off to us with the information requested.
A selection committee reviews proposals once a year, usually in the spring.
Contact us for more information.
info@galleryvertigo.com
proposal form and information for exhibitions in gallery #1 and gallery #2
members wall application
window display

Previous Exhibitions:
2009:
Fusion: Fourth Annual High School Exhibition - Jan 13 to Feb 17
2008:
Picasso's Cupboard/ Book Fair - Nov.25 to Dec.13th
not with a Bang, but with and SUV - The 7th Annual NOAA Members Open Exhibition - Oct.7 to Nov.1
the coming night - Jorden and David Doody / Typoportraits - kevin mcpherson eckhoff
Almost Famous Auction - August 17
Ten - Studio Artists - Current Work - July 29 to August 9 / Joanne Sale-Hook:Introduced Species - July 29 to August 17
Katie Brennan - Stasis Strategy / Floribunda - June 23 to July 19
Space (re)Constructed - Miranda Aschenbrenner / Memory/Recall - Suzanne Phillips - May 27 to June 21
March to May - Faith Moosang/Candies - Sabrina Ovesen
Sixth Annual NOAA Members Juried Exhibition - March 18 to April 12
Drawing Conclusions - UBC Okanagan Student Exhibition - Feb.12 to March8
The Wheel: School District #22 High School Students - Jan.15 to Feb.2
2007:
Picasso's Cupboard and Even Dozen
Mellow Yellow - The 6th Annual NOAA Members Open Exhibition - Oct.16 to Nov.10
Look What we Have Done.. Carolina Sanchez de Bustamante / Mutation - Howard Brown - September 11 to October 5
Almost Famous - Ken Jeanotte - August 7 to August 24
Zotz Collective - Kurt Hutterli - July 3 to July 28
Flesh nor Meat - Ila Crawford /All our Ancestors - Tanya Dubick - May 29 to June 23
Spectacles of Intimacy - curated by Lora Carroll - April 24 to May 18
Green - The Fifth Annual NOAA members juried exhibition - March 20 to April 14
Pressing Engagements - UBC Okanagan Printmaking Students - Feb.13 to March 16
Bugs - School District #22 High School Students - Jan.16 to Feb.3
2006:
Picasso's Cupboard, Studio Artists - Nov.21 to Dec.9
Fall Forward - Oct.21 to Nov.10
Helm, Seward, Began - Sept.8 to Oct.6