With Canada’s sesquicentennial on the tip of everyone’s tongue this summer, stories of Canadian pride and history have stolen the headlines.
The North Okanagan Federation of Canadian Artists (NOFCA) decided to take it a step further, however, and will have a large canvas on display at their art show and sale at Mackie Lake House Friday and Saturday, where the public is encouraged to collaborate by painting or writing on the canvas using the theme, What I Respect About Canada.
“It gives the community an opportunity to meet and say what Canada means to them,” said Mackie Lake House Foundation manager Christine Kashuba.
The art show and sale is on display as part of RespectFEST 2017 — a week-long celebration of respect and diversity with a focus on art, culture and history in the North Okanagan.
“We decided we wanted to be in on RespectFEST, and the Mackie House felt like a good place to do that,” said Joan Rowan, a NOFCA member participating in the show and sale. “It sounded like a good idea. It’s an opportunity for us to participate in a worthwhile cause.”
Upwards of half a dozen NOFCA artists will line the serene grounds of the Mackie Lake House that overlook Kalamalka Lake. Some artists will do live paintings and sketches, while others will have their work on display in the tents adjacent the lake.
“The idea of an artist being outside painting is something different,” Kashuba said.
With the canvas utilizing public participation, NOFCA artists won’t be the only ones painting outside.
“That’s part of my joy of this event,” Kashuba said. “It helps people to grow and develop.”
And for NOFCA, that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s for exposure, showing work, participating and getting people interested and involved,” Rowan said. “We would encourage everyone to think about what they respect of Canada to put on the canvas.”
Once completed, the canvas will be on display in the community.
The free show and sale runs at Mackie Lake House Sept 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tea, coffee and desserts will be available on the Mackie House veranda. Contact Jennifer Knox at 250-306-5558 for a reservation. Cost is $10 per person.