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.

Luckily, a new winery with a new attitude opened, and was interested in hosting the show. Enter Ex Nihilo Vineyards, and Decoa and Jeff Harder. 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. The Erotic show was at their winery for three years, from 2010 to 2012, and the relationship was mutually beneficial – the artists got a beautiful venue and the winery got a lot of attention and interest from people coming to see the artwork. I worked really hard to get the word out about the art show, as I really think there is great potential here. The show got so big, with 250 people attending Opening Night, that in 2012 a larger venue was searched out, and Sparkling Hill Resort, just outside of Predator Ridge Golf Resort came on the scene. This will be our first year there, in 2013, and I am very excited at the possibilites. I hope that the Opening Night will set a new standard for art shows.

Opening the Call to the United States in 2010 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. 2011 and 2012 saw 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 onwards, the show will be open worldwide.

I introduced awards for artworks in 2011 and again in 2012. Winners received a gift basket and also cash in 2010, and in 2011, there were two winners, Winery’s Choice and People’s Choice. These two winners received 250$ cash, all funded by the artist entries. I hope to continue to do this practice, and I know those attendees on Opening Night really had fun voting for People’s Choice.

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. Third showing at Ex Nihilo Vineyards. Third catalog created. Prizes in Winery’s Choice $250 cash, and People’s Choice $250, winner chosen by attendees at Opening Night.
2013 – Sixth year, first showing at Sparkling Hill Resort.

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.

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
Sparkling Hill Resort: Hans-Peter Mayr 1.877.275.1556 | 888 Sparkling Place, Vernon, BC, V1H 2K7, Canada reservations@sparklinghill.com | kurspa@sparklinghill.com