Executive Director’s Message
April, 2013
(as printed in the Kelowna Art Gallery Journal, issue 41, May to August 2013)
The roles and responsibilities of a public art gallery are multi-faceted, however – as with any organization – it is the people involved that contribute to our success. Together, our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, donors, and visitors provide the ingredients that enable the Gallery to set high standards for innovation and quality in everything that we do. Thank you!
I am grateful to the many people who have made the Gallery an important part of their lives through their continuing service and support. I want to especially thank Leona Baxter for ably serving as Past President of our Board during the past two years. Also, Deborah Owram, Ian Jones, and Jim Meiklejohn each completed six-year terms in April, and have provided the Gallery with dedication and leadership. We also bid farewell to Lori Van Rooijen, who joined the Board last year and is stepping down due to new work commitments. While these five individuals are stepping down from the Board, we look forward to their continued participation in shaping the Gallery’s future. At our Annual General meeting held in April, we elected four new Board members to join our team. We are delighted to welcome Paul Mitchell, Clayton Gall, Joanne McKechnie, and Amy Zurrer to our Board of Directors. We know their knowledge and enthusiasm will be of great assistance to us.
Our Gallery staff team wished a fond adieu to our Gallery Assistant, Patricia Fazackerley, who was a smiling face at our front desk for thirteen years. Best wishes to our former Registrar, Christina Hedlund, who has taken a new job at the Simon Fraser University Art Gallery in Vancouver.
Over the coming months, the Kelowna Art Gallery is pleased to present an exciting line-up of enriching exhibitions and public programs covering a wide range of media and featuring renowned Canadian artists. We are delighted to be able to offer innovative, educational programs to accompany our exhibitions, as we continue to explore new ways of truly engaging visitors of all ages.
On May 10th & 11th, back by popular demand, we will welcome Anthony Westbridge and Peter Blundell to the Gallery for Antiques in the Attic (see page 15). Find out what your art and valuables may be worth and support the Gallery’s programs at the same time!
The Party Aquatic (a Gallery opening event) will take place on July 5th (more on page 16) as we celebrate the beginning of summer with exciting art, music and refreshments to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, Douglas Walker: Other Worlds.
Canada Day festivities are celebrated at the Gallery with our very popular Apple Bin Paint-In, taking place, of course, on July 1st.
Don’t forget we offer Art Adventures camps for children ages 5-12 years of age, as well as a new Friday for Teens Art Series, starting in July.
Finally, I hope you will feel free to share your thoughts with us by sending me your feedback, suggestions, and ideas – your participation, support, and ideas are vital.
Sincerely,
Nataley Nagy
