Quesnel Art Gallery Blog
  • Blog
  • Home

Welcoming 2025 at THE Quesnel Art Gallery & GIFT SHOP

2/25/2025

0 Comments

 
​Happy New Year! It’s been a little while since we last posted, but we’re back in action and excited to kick off 2025 with fresh energy, inspiring exhibitions, and exciting plans for the year ahead.
Check out what's been happening and what's to come!

Our First Exhibition of the Year: An Exploration of Geography through Colour and Abstraction WITH CASEY FISHER

We began the year with an incredible exhibition by emerging artist Casey Fisher. Taking viewers on a journey through dynamic textures, bold colours, and unique sculpture work. This exhibit showcases Casey’s unique perspective and artistic growth, while exploring geographic locations familiar to her personal experiences. 
​
We had a wonderful turnout at the opening reception, where guests had the chance to meet the artist, enjoy great conversations, and immerse themselves in the artwork. For those who couldn’t make it, we’ve shared some photos from the event—be sure to stop by and see the exhibition in person before it closes on March 6th!
​

Fresh Starts at the Gallery

The new year is a time for fresh beginnings, and we kicked things off with a work bee to refresh and reorganize the gallery space. Our amazing team of volunteers came together to wash walls, tidy up, and ensure that our gallery is looking its best for the year ahead. A big thank you to everyone who lent a hand—we’ve shared a few behind-the-scenes photos of the team hard at work!

Along with the refreshed space, our gift shop has also been updated with a selection of new works from local artists. From handcrafted pottery to prints and original paintings, there’s always something special to discover. The gift shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM, thanks to our dedicated volunteers who make it all possible.
​
If you or someone you know might be interested in volunteer opportunities at the art gallery, send us an email or stop into the gift shop and sign up in person! We are growing, and it takes a village to make change—we are very grateful for our village of volunteers! 


Upcoming Exhibitions: Kidz Art Returns!

Picture
Mark your calendars! Our next exhibition, Kidz Art, opens on March 12th. This bi-annual exhibition, created in partnership with School District 28, showcases the creativity of elementary students in our community.

​The opening reception will take place on March 12th at 6:30 PM, and everyone is invited to attend. We are so grateful to our attendees who show so much support for our local emerging artists. The exhibition will be open during our regular gallery hours until April 3rd—don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to support young artists!
​

​Celebrating Creativity: Our Latest Contest Winner

​Over the winter we had the pleasure of celebrating the winner of a colouring contest created by our previous exhibiting artist. Congratulations to our lucky winner Ann Finch!

​Ann was presented with a high quality print of her coloured-in version of the lovely drawing ‘Down Reid’ by artist Guillaume Schoon, as well as a printed mug with her beautiful work. Thank you to everyone who participated in this artistic contest and to Guillaume for hosting a unique and interactive experience for visitors!
Picture
Ann with her coloured-in print & the printed mug! Original artwork 'Down Reid' by Guillaume Schoon.

​Artists, Stay Tuned!

Calling all artists—our annual Call for Submissions for the 2026 Exhibition Calendar will be announced later this spring. If you’re interested in exhibiting at the Quesnel Art Gallery, keep an eye out for application details at the end of April!

There’s plenty more to come this year, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Stay connected with us here on the blog and on our social media channels @quesnelartgallery for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more ways to get involved in our vibrant arts community.

Here’s to another inspiring year at Quesnel Art Gallery! Thanks for reading! ​— Shae


0 Comments

Another wonderful year

12/20/2024

 

Ending on an exiting exhibition

As we wrap up 2024, we’re reflecting on what has been an exciting and inspiring year at the Gallery. Our final exhibit of the year, Guillaume Schoon’s Mundane, hosted in in October, was uniquely different than others. Guests of all ages were captivated by his detailed and thought-provoking drawings. Thank you to everyone who visited and shared in the experience—we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! 
​Thank you to the sponsor of this show Fraserview Medical Associates.

Holiday Hours & Beaux Arts Bazaar

Our Beaux Arts Bazaar is still running for a few more days, offering the perfect opportunity to pick up some last-minute treasures before the holiday season. Here’s a quick look at our upcoming hours:
  • Saturday, December 21st: Open 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday & Monday: Closed as usual
  • Tuesday, December 24th: Open 10 AM - 12 PM
​After that, the Gallery will close for the Holiday season. Artists can pick up their works between January 2-5th, 2025. Following this, we’ll be closed for two weeks as our board and volunteers dive into planning and preparations for the exciting year ahead.
Thank you to the sponsors Bill & Sue-Ellen Miller and Big Country Printers Ltd.
Picture

What’s Coming in 2025

The Gallery Gift Shop will reopen for regular hours on January 21st, and you are all invited to our first exhibit of the year opening on February 6th, 2025.
While we don’t want to give away too much just yet, 2025 is shaping up to be an amazing year. From exciting workshops to a brand-new emerging artist showcase initiative, there’s so much to look forward to. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months!
Picture

Thank You ALL for a Wonderful YeaR!

Finally, we’d like to thank all of you—our artists, visitors, and supporters—for making 2024 such a special year. Your continued engagement and enthusiasm fuel everything we do, and we’re so grateful to share this creative journey with you.
From all of us at the Gallery, we wish you a safe, joyful holiday season and a fantastic start to 2025. See you in the New Year!

Help Us Bring Art to Life—Sponsor a 2025 Exhibit!

10/2/2024

 
Picture

Contribute to the arts with a $200 sponsorship and support Quesnel’s creative community!

Picture
If you or someone you know might be interested in sponsoring one of our 2025 exhibits, please reach out to me via email! Your support helps us continue to foster local talent and provide a vibrant space for the arts.
​Whether you're a business, organization, or individual, every contribution makes a difference.
Let’s collaborate to make a lasting impact in our community!
SPONSOR AN EXHIBIT NOW!
EMAIL US!

Barkerville Series - Cecile Allen

9/26/2024

 
We recently wrapped up Cecile Allen's Barkerville Series, a captivating exhibit by a talented local artist. Cecile’s work beautifully captured the rich history and character of the historic gold rush town of Barkerville, bringing to life its stories, architecture, and landscapes. The exhibit received an overwhelmingly positive response from visitors, who appreciated the detail in these beautiful coloured-pencil drawings.
Cecile’s paintings offered a nostalgic journey through time, each piece infused with her deep connection to the region. We’re thrilled to continue celebrating her work, and for those who missed the exhibit, Cecile’s cards are still available for purchase in our gift shop.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support this wonderful showcase of local history and talent!

Get Involved This Fall: AGM, Art Trail, AND EXCITING WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES!

9/13/2024

 
Picture

YOU ARE INVITED!

​Join us for the Quesnel Art Gallery's Annual General Meeting on September 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the Arts & Rec Centre. This is an opportunity to participate in shaping the future of the gallery as we review the budget, discuss key decisions, and see the nomination of new board members.
Following the AGM, we will hold a members meeting. We look forward to seeing you there and having your voice heard!
Add to your calendar
Picture

Workshop with Award-Winning Artist Sue A. Cowan

We’re thrilled to be able to offer Sue Cowan’s upcoming 2-day art workshop, "Bringing Your Landscapes to Life." This hands-on class is designed to help artists refine their skills in various mediums, including watercolour, acrylic, and pastel.
Limited to 10 participants, spots are filling up quickly!
​Click below to see all the details & register now! 
SUE COWAN WORKSHOP

Picture

THE ART TRAIL IS ALMOST HERE!

Get ready, Quesnel! The highly anticipated Art Trail is just around the corner, showcasing local talent in unique venues throughout town. This self-guided tour lets you explore art in an interactive, fun way.
Stay tuned to find out about the fantastic prizes to be won. Don’t miss out on this exciting event that celebrates creativity and community!
​The Map, designed by Big Country Printers is now available online on our Art Trail Page!
ART TRAIL PAGE
Picture

FINAL EXHIBITS OF 2024

We only have two more exhibits to share with you in 2024! Don't miss out on the opening reception events on the 17th of September, and 17th of October at 7pm in the Arts & Rec Centre. 
Cecile Allen is a talented local artist who we are lucky to have as a member of our Art Gallery, her Barkerville Series exhibit will be on display until October 11th. 
Following will be a unique exhibit by local artist Guillaume Schoon, born & rasied in South Africa, he is sure to bring unique perspective to everyday life in The Mundane.
Picture

Get ready for the annual Beaux arts bazaar!

Summer has come and gone, and we have something on our minds here at the Gallery...
​Our annual holiday gift sale will be back before you know it! Artists, we would like to remind you to start preparing for this opportunity to help us fill our gallery space with unique locally made gifts.
This year the sale will run from November 16th - December 24th, 2024. Submissions will begin on November 5th and will be accepted until November 14th, 2024.
​Visit us at the Gallery or email us if you have any questions!
Email Us!

CLOSED FOR A MOMENT

8/27/2024

 

GALLERY & GIFT SHOP WILL RE-OPEN SEPTEMBER 17th!

Picture
The Art Gallery & Gift Shop will be closed Saturday August 31st until Tuesday September 16th.  The Gift Shop will re-open on Tuesday September 17th 10-4 & we will be hosting our opening reception that evening from 7-9PM. 

We’re incredibly fortunate to have a free public gallery right here in Quesnel, thanks to the support of our community and the Arts & Rec Centre. Every year, the Centre undergoes essential maintenance to keep the building in top shape. During this time, the Quesnel Art Gallery will be temporarily closed for those two weeks.

Our dedicated volunteers will be back and ready to welcome you in September. We can’t wait to share our upcoming exhibits with you!

FIVE EXPLORE OUR CARIBOO - Artists: Maureen Wheeler, Fred Paulson, Megan Long, Heather E.S Armstrong, and Keith Prestone

8/6/2024

 
On August 1st, we hosted the opening of "Five Explore Our Cariboo," a captivating exhibit featuring the works of member artists Maureen Wheeler, Fred Paulson, Megan Long, Heather E.S Armstrong, and Keith Prestone. These local artists beautifully showcase the essence of the Cariboo through diverse styles and mediums.

Guests packed into our gallery space where they were greeted with live harp music, setting the scene to delve into pieces that highlight the region's natural beauty in an artful way. A special slideshow offers insights into the artists' creative process & can be viewed at the Gallery until the end of the exhibit. 
​
"Five Explore Our Cariboo" will be on display until August 29th at the Arts and Recreation Centre. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the unique perspectives of our talented local artists. Thank you to all those who were able to attend the opening reception, we can't wait to see you at the next one!

A big Thank You to the sponsor of this exhibit Cariboo Murals & Fine Art.

Animals I Have Seen - SYDNEY ANDRES

7/10/2024

 
We are pleased to present "Animals I Have Seen," an exhibit by the talented artist Sydney Andres from Fort St. James. The opening reception was an intimate gathering, where community members and art enthusiasts came together to appreciate Sydney’s skill in capturing the essence of wildlife through her colourful paintings and detailed sketches.

Sydney’s work offers a captivating journey through the diverse and stunning animal life she has encountered. During the reception, Sydney shared with the crowd details of seeing these animals in fleeting moments and painting from her memories of them. This unique approach adds a personal and evocative touch to her art, making each piece a vivid yet dreamy recollection of her wildlife encounters.

The exhibit, hosted at the Quesnel Art Gallery located in the Arts & Rec Centre, will be open for viewing until July 26th. We encourage everyone to visit and immerse themselves in Sydney's extraordinary artworks. The gallery is a free public space where art meets nature, offering a serene escape into the wild through the eyes of a remarkable artist.

Enjoy a cool, air-conditioned environment to escape this heat while you explore the exhibit!

Spirit of quesnel - Stan Boyd Photography exhibit

6/19/2024

 
With a great deal of support we were able to put together this very meaningful exhibit. 'Spirit of Quesnel' represents the impact and legacy left by the late Stanley Boyd, through his lens. Visit the Gallery before June 28th to view this collection of Stan's photographs, some are still available for purchase!

We are very grateful to all those who attended the opening reception on the evening of July 6th. The Eldzi drummers opened the evening and then we got to hear stories from family and friends of Stanley.  We heard moving words from many who were close to Stanley. This included stories of his political achievements from Terrence Paul, touching words from Nazko Chief Leah Stump, and heartfelt stories from Stan's sister Doreen Patrick, and wife Laura Boyd. 

We have many thanks to give to those that made this exhibit possible; Our sponsor The Bare Family in memory of Frances Bare, The Lhoosk'uz Dené & Nazko First Nation Bands. As well as Doreen Patrick & Maureen Trotter for making this all possible, and kudos for learning how to frame and hang a professional exhibit!! 
​
We were able to find and colourize some of the many newspaper articles featuring Stan Boyd's life and achievements. These stories are posted on our gallery wall with the exhibit, as well as below for you to view.
​ 
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.

Spring in the gallery

5/9/2024

 

​CALL FOR PROPOSALS!

Picture
Call for Show Submissions!
It’s that time of year again, we are asking for artists to submit their proposals for the 2025 calendar of exhibits! We want to see your submissions for solo or group shows that will be ready to present in the 2025 calendar year.

Visit our website to find all the information and apply online. Have you ever considered showing your work on Gallery walls? We can help you get there! 
​
Click to Submit your Proposal!

​Spring Refresh

Picture

Spring Cleaning!

Spring is bringing change to the Art Gallery, we’ve taken on exciting new projects and have big plans for the months to come! We will be closed Saturday May 18th for the long weekend.
​

Exhibit Cancelled in May.

Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our exhibit in May, we’re taking some time to do some spring cleaning and get ready for our next show.

New Projects!
Spring is bringing change to the Art Gallery, we’ve taken on exciting new projects and have big plans for the months to come! If you haven’t heard already we’ll be taking over the annual Art Trail, this is going to be such a fun opportunity for us to work with the community.
​ 
We have a lot to look forward to, stay tuned and see what’s happening at the Gallery on our social media!
​

Find us on Facebook!

2024 Art Trail!

Picture
The Quesnel Art Trail 2024!
The annual Art Trail is a 3 week self-guided tour through businesses in Quesnel to view local artists showcasing their work. Previously the Art Trail has been a very successful project by the Quesnel & District Community Arts Council.

​ We are so excited to be taking this project on and to work with the artists and businesses. Please consider donating, support us in bringing this artistic event to the community!
Donations can be sent via etransfer to;
[email protected]


This is such a unique opportunity for artists & businesses alike to reach a more diverse audience. The deadline to apply is July 31st, but don’t hesitate to get involved, we want to see your artwork! 

If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating, they can apply on our website or click below! 
Click here to Apply!

June Exhibition

Picture
Spirit of Quesnel.
The exhibit we have planned for June is going to be a special one, we can’t wait to share it with you! ‘Spirit of Quesnel’ will be a photography exhibit by late local photographer Stan Boyd. The Gallery has been working with Stan’s family members to recover a series of photographs that he had planned to exhibit. The photographs will be accompanied by some writings to share a bit of backstory to the people & places portrayed. 
​

Opening Reception!
This exhibit will open Thursday June 6th at 7pm. The opening reception will feature a short introduction ceremony and drumming, refreshments will be provided. Please join us for an evening of celebration, and discovery of life through the lens of former Nazko chief, the late Stan Boyd.

<<Previous

    Author

    Shae Lightening
    Gallery Project Manager
    [email protected]

    Archives

    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    February 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Site powered by DHJ Design Studio
© COPYRIGHT 2020​
  • Blog
  • Home