A collaborative effort uniting four accomplished visual instructors, 20 youth, and 140 children from the Okanagan region, comes to life as an exhibition at Interior Health called RCA Summer Visions: Youth Exhibition 2023. This exhibition celebrates the creativity and imagination of children and teenagers, encapsulating their summer journey at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) located in Kelowna's Cultural District.
With a collection of 33 artworks, this exhibition showcases the talents nurtured through two unique programs offered by the RCA Summer of Arts and Arts Blast. These programs have empowered young artists aged 5 to 16 to explore their creative potential and produce meaningful pieces of art.
RCA Summer Visions: Youth Exhibition 2023 celebrates the creativity and imagination of children and teenagers, encapsulating the essence of their summer journey at the renowned Rotary Centre for the Arts. This exhibition is a testament to the transformative power of artistic exploration of young creators who harnessed the summer to explore their imaginative visions.
“This exhibition shows the talent and boundless creativity of young artists. It’s a celebration of their imaginative journeys and a reflection of the transformative power of artistic exploration,” says Colleen Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Rotary Centre for the Arts. “We are immensely proud of their achievements, and we invite everyone to experience the world of art through their eyes."
The exhibition features 17 pieces crafted by the participants of RCA's Summer of Arts - Visual Art Intensive Program, designed for budding artists aged 13 to 16. These students immersed themselves in the world of visual arts, exploring a wide spectrum of techniques, from dry media to wet media and abstract painting.
This comprehensive program included drop-in sessions, immersive three-day intensives tailored for youth and teenagers, and engaging family-oriented activities open to all age groups.
Complementing these works, the exhibition also displays 16 pieces that bear the distinct mark of the RCA's Arts Blast Camp. This summer-long camp catered to the artistic zeal of children aged 5 to 10, who produced artworks against ever-evolving themes such as "Animal Planet," "All Around the World," "Dinosaurs," and "Deep-Sea Adventure."
Laura Powell, who works in Interior Health’s Seniors’ Centre on Doyle Avenue, feels lucky to have her desk situated at the end of a hallway displaying some of the kids’ artwork. “The staff spend enough time looking at those paintings to notice when new pieces are brought in,” says Laura. “But even more impactful, is that so many of our clients comment on what they see. I really think the exhibit brings life to the area and generates warmth and comfort for our patients.”
Join in celebrating the vibrant and diverse talents of Okanagan's youth at the RCA Summer Visions: Youth Exhibition at the Interior Health building. The exhibition is open to the public until December 17 at Interior Health, 2nd floor, 505 Doyle Ave., Kelowna.