Press Kit

What you will find below:

• Backgrounder with historical information on the show
• Fact sheet listing timeline of the show
• Biographies of key individuals and artists
• Photos or other images (high resolution) of key executives, logos, products, etc.
• Media contact information

Backgrounder with historical information on the show

The Okanagan Erotic Show emerged in 2007, fellow artists Lauren Wilson, Angela Hansen and myself were talking about having an art show that was a bit more exciting than the usual run of the mill life drawing exhibitions. We were having a sip (or two, maybe more, I can’t remember) of wine while manning the Livessence booth at one of the local art shows, and noticed there were many people who would barely glance at the nudes on display. Censorship about what was “proper” had reared its ugly head. Knowing full well that erotic is perceived individually, we wanted to shake things up. We wanted to have some FUN!
The first show, “Blush, what makes you?” at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) in 2008 was a huge success, but as you can imagine, as the RCA is a public building, there were a few complaints. The interest, though, was definitely there. In 2009, Angela went on to have her first child, and Lauren went traveling in Asia, so that year, I carried on my own, and have since. “Raw… Whispers” was at A. Woodside Design Gallery, and that year I created the first catalog. I realized how important that record seemed to be to each artist.
2010 saw a bit of ruff bumps and grinds, but that experience showed me where we, the Okanagan artists, were in terms of comfort level and where we, the public, were in terms of artistic support and adventure. Finally, “Seduce Me” was held at Ex Nihilo Vineyards. I was overwhelmed by the attendance at the opening night, and the tremendously positive comments on the show throughout its run, by both artists and attendees.
Opening the Call to the United States in 2010 was the right thing to do. Moving the show to an open accepting environment at the winery out of Kelowna was the right thing to do. There is no catalog for 2010, as it was all timing or rather lack of time, due to the circumstances experienced, but hopefully there will be catalogs for years going forward. This year, 2011, there are about half Canadian artists, and half American. I am thrilled with the content and the scope of expression, and know the show is definitely on the right track. Because I had to turn so many overseas artists away this year, for 2012, the show will be open worldwide.

Fact sheet listing timeline of the show

2007 – concept renewed between artists Julia Trops, Lauren Wilson and Angela Hansen. Juried show.
2008 – first Okanagan Erotic Art Show at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Website created, all Okanagan artists welcome to apply but primarily from Penticton through to Lake Country participated.
2009 – second Okanagan Erotic Art Show was at A Woodside Design Gallery. First catalog published. All Okanagan artists but primarily Penticton through to Lake Country participated. Lauren goes traveling and Angela has a baby, Julia continues on her own.
2010 – the show opened to artists from across Canada and the United States in an effort to bring more awareness and openness to the Okanagan art scene. Artists from Vancouver to Toronto and a few American artists applied. First showing at Ex Nihilo Vineyards, Lake Country
2011 – fourth year, open to Canadian and American artists. Second showing at Ex Nihilo Vineyards. Second catalog created. First time prizes offered for Winery’s Choice, Second, Third and People’s Choice, chosen at Opening Night
2012 – the show will be open worldwide.

Biographies of key players

Julia Trops:
Julia Trops is an international artist having sold over 1000 artworks worldwide since 2004. Retaining the discipline, work ethic and integrity from her 12 year career in the military, this decorated artist maintains a studio in the Rotary Centre for the Arts with three other local artists. Her work is vibrant, dramatic and expressive, and she does accept commissions. While other writers have selected her artwork numerous times for publishing, Julia is close to completing her fourth book. View her online gallery http://www.rubylane.com/shops/canadianartist. Julia is one of the original organizers of the Okanagan Erotic Art Show and has carried on the event on her own since 2009. Julia Trops is representing by Gallery Odin at Silver Star Ski Resort and at Creatio Gallery at Ex Nihilo Vineyards.

Decoa and Jeff Harder:
On their first holiday together to Napa Valley and the Bay area, Jeff and Decoa came across the sculpture of Ex Nihilo at an art gallery in San Francisco. They immediately fell in love with the carving of Ex Nihilo and its translation, a Latin word meaning ‘out of nothing.’ Frederick Hart’s original Ex Nihilo, depicting creation, adorns the west façade of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.  Jeff and Decoa decided at that moment that Ex Nihilo would be the perfect name for the winery that they had discussed and dreamed of having. Jeff felt that the name would suit their winery, as it would have to be created from nothing, with respect to their pocket book.  Ex Nihilo, the name and the sculpture, reminded Decoa of how grape vines come out of the ground to produce the fruit that is then made into wine, a new vintage is created every year.

Photos or other images (high resolution) of logos, products

to be uploaded and available through picassa

Media contact information

Art Show: Julia Trops x2502150079x info at okanaganeroticartshow dot com
Ex Nihilo Vineyards: Decoa Harder x2507665522x decoa at exnihilovineyards dot com