Call to Artists

March 29 2009

The Okanagan Erotic Art Show calls all North, Central and South Okanagan artists for submissions for the second exhibition! This is a juried show and will be held at A Woodside Design Gallery in downtown Kelowna, from June 1 to 30. The theme is Raw.... Whispers. The show will go up June 1 to June 30th, and there will be a lovely opening on Thursday June 4 from 6 to 10 pm, as well.

Coordinator Julia Trops said "The Erotic Show came about because in 2007, Lauren Wilson, Angela Hansen and myself were talking about having an art show that was a bit more exciting than the usual fare of the run of the mill exhibitions. We wanted to have some FUN!

"Last year's show at the Rotary Centre for the Arts was a huge success. The calibre of submissions was very high, and the interest is definitely there. This year, my fellow coordinator Alissa Woodside has agreed to hold it at her gallery, which I think will make a fabulously intimate setting. She has the perfect place. I am really quite excited!"

Alissa Woodside, owner of A Woodside Design Gallery said "Being a relatively new gallery, I want to discover new ways to represent and support the artists of the Okanagan. The gallery has a contemporary edge of high caliber art and, being in the bustling downtown core, I immediately jumped at the chance when asked to host the location of this year's Erotic Art Show.

"I have talked to many a people that, when talking about this show, say, "I still remember when there wasn't a place in Kelowna that would allow 'nude' art". Our city has been taking new strides for quite sometime now-there is a younger demographic staying after high-school thanks to UBC-O, our population has reached the point that an 'urban center' is well underway, and, let's face it, who hasn't been into one of the many adult stores in our area.

"I think that this bit of risqué is healthy for the fun-loving environment in which we live and thrive.

"Of course there will still be whispers questioning some of the intimacies of the show but I'm willing and excited to hear all the feedback-- good and, not so good.

"Raw...whispers is the theme and title of this year's show and, as Julia Trops mentioned, this lets the artist have freedom in discovering a range of possibilities in what erotic can really be. I've been joking around with people saying, "Do you think I'll have to paper over the front windows"?! As much as Kelowna is growing, I don't think you'll see quite as much as a jaunt down Davie St. in Vancouver brings to the eyes! "

Trops said "We have had submission requests from people as far away as Fort St John, Calgary and Vancouver - right now, the limitation is for resident artists of the North, South and Central Okanagan. But who knows, maybe in a few years, we will open it up to residents of BC, eventually Canada and beyond. For right now, though, it is just the Okanagan artists."

The requirements for artists are fairly simple. Three works per artist maximum can be submitted, and all mediums are accepted: drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video etc. Trops emphasized that tasteful and edgey submissions are very much encouraged. Images can be emailed (jpgs), or professional portfolios which include images of the actual work displayed may be snail mailed. The deadline for submission is be April 15th, with artists being notified of acceptance by May 1 2009. More in depth information can be found on the website http://www.okanaganeroticartshow.com.

For those of you on facebook, please join our group. Even if you aren't an artist, but just want to join for the fun, or even just to be reminded when the show goes up, you are welcome! For more information, please contact Alissa Woodside at A Woodside Design Gallery 250-862-3817 or Julia Trops at Studio 113 Rotary Centre for the Arts 250-215-0079. Email is info at okanaganeroticartshow dot com.

Artists are welcome to create a cafepress store and send me the link, and I will post on the website. If you are interested in this, please contact me julia at juliatrops dot com.