New exhibition shares stories and memories about living in Kelowna

KELOWNA – If you could “save time in a bottle,” as the song went, what memories, stories, and histories about Kelowna would you share? Kootenay-based artist and guest-curator Maggie Shirley invited local residents to do just that in the new exhibition entitled Preserves at the Kelowna Art Gallery.

Shirley opted for mason jars, and through a series of free community workshops that began in April of 2015, she amassed nearly two hundred jars – all created by Okanagan residents. Participants in the workshops were asked to bring objects that symbolized what is important to them about their pasts or present conditions, and also that represented what they want to bring into the future. These items, which included personal letters, poetry, childhood toys, leaves, shells, and even teeth were “preserved” in coloured gelatin. Each jar tells a local story. Each jar is a unique work of art.

In addition to the mason jars, the exhibition includes video interviews that were conducted with some of the participants, as well as works of art in various media based on ten local artists’ interpretations of the theme of preserves. The ten artists include Megan Bowers, Lucas Glenn Co, Fern Hefland, Janine Lott, Don Makela, Judith Mueller, Susan Burnham Neilson, Dylan Ranney, and Zev Tiefenbach.

Guest-curator Maggie Shirley holds an MFA from the UBC Okanagan and currently lives and works in Castlegar, BC.

Preserves will be on view at the Kelowna Art Gallery until December 6, 2015.

The Kelowna Art Gallery is located at 1315 Water Street in downtown Kelowna.

For more information about current exhibitions, public programming or special events, please visit the Kelowna Art Gallery online at www.kelownaartgallery.com or call 250-762-2226.