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you are invited to KidZ art!

3/9/2023

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​OPENING RECEPTION
THIS THURSDAY

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Everyone is Welcome!

Get ready for something fun, because “Kidz Art!” is coming to fill the Gallery walls this week! The opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 16th from 6:30-8:00pm, and everyone is invited to attend! Come celebrate with us and see the incredible talent of our young artists. The students, their families, and friends are all welcome to join us for refreshments, goodies and a chance to meet the artists.

Running March 16th until April 6th, we will have a vibrant exhibition of artwork created by elementary school students from across Quesnel. Sponsored by SD28 Quesnel, this exhibition is a testament to the creativity and imagination of our young artists. 

We are thrilled to showcase their work, and invite family, friends, and community members to join us for the opening reception this Thursday!

We hope to see you there to support our young, up-and-coming artists in our community!


MEMBERS MEETING

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Please Join Us!
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Hey everyone! The Quesnel Art Gallery will be hosting our next Member's meeting on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30pm. The meeting will take place in the Meeting Room at the Arts and Rec Centre.

​We would love to see new, aspiring, and interested members of the community come out and join the conversation.


Our meetings are a great opportunity to connect with other art enthusiasts in the community, share your ideas and perspectives, and help shape the future of the Quesnel Art Gallery. We welcome everyone to attend and be a part of our community of artists, art lovers, and supporters.

We hope to see you there on Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30pm at the Arts and Rec Centre Meeting Room. Let's work together to make the Quesnel Art Gallery an even better place for our community!


​YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL ART

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The Gift Shop
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At the Quesnel Art Gallery, we are proud to offer a volunteer-run gift shop that is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Our shop features an ever-changing selection of handmade creations, including jewellery, pottery, and textiles, all made by local artists. We are grateful to our dedicated volunteers who make our gift shop possible, and we welcome community members who are interested in volunteering with us to stop by the shop and learn more.
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Invitation to "Delight"

2/11/2023

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Laurie Bare Opening Reception

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Dear Community Members,

We are thrilled to announce the opening reception for photographer Laurie Bare with her show "Delight!" Laurie is a local nature and wildlife photographer. This display will immerse you in her world, it is sure to delight those who attend.

Please join us on February 15th from 7-9pm as we celebrate this talented photographer and enjoy the beautiful art on display. Refreshments, including coffee and cookies, will be offered, and all are welcome.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artist, Laurie Bare, and enjoy a calm and friendly atmosphere with friends.

We hope you can join us and make this a memorable evening.

Sponsored by:
Rocky Peak Adventure Gear!

Donation by:
​Long Table Grocery!

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Hey, Valentine… 

Surprise your loved one this Valentine's Day with a unique and meaningful gift from the Quesnel Art Gallery Gift Shop. The shop offers a variety of options including pottery, handmade cards, beautiful photography & art prints, and one-of-a-kind jewellery. 

The Gift Shop is open Friday & Saturday from 10am-4pm and on Valentine's Day from 10am-4pm.

Discover the perfect gift for your sweetheart at the Quesnel Art Gallery Gift Shop. With so many beautiful and personal options, you're sure to find something they'll treasure.


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warm winter getaway at the art gallery!

2/6/2023

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Only 1 week left
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Step into the Gallery and you'll find yourself in a world of imagination and creativity. We have been showcasing the work of local artist Brenda Gardiner, she creates unique and artistic mirrors and stunning watercolour "Spirit Trees".

Brenda's mirrors are truly one-of-a-kind, each one crafted with creative designs that will leave you mesmerised. Her watercolour paintings are just as captivating, capturing the true essence of trees. The vibrant colours and delicate brush strokes bring each tree to life, giving them a spirit of their own.
Whether you're an art collector or looking for a unique piece to add to your home, Brenda Gardiner's work is sure to impress. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the beauty and creativity of Brenda Gardiner's art. It's sure to be a treat for the eyes and the soul! 

The exhibition is only on display until February 10th, so make sure to stop by the Quesnel Art Gallery and see it for yourself. The gallery is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday to Saturday.


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A free fun activity out of the snow
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Okay so the snow might be piling up out there, but don’t worry! The Art Gallery is a warm and cozy oasis in the middle of all this winter weather. Whether you're looking to escape the snow or just in need of a little artistic inspiration, the Quesnel Art Gallery has got you covered.

Not only is the Gallery showcasing unique pieces each month, but the gift shop is always full of locally-made treasures to help you weather the rest of winter. Plenty of local potters handmade mugs to keep your tea and coffee warm. Cute and cozy quilts from local quilter Wendy Fisher. Soft silk scarves hand-painted by Carolyn Thompson, there's something for everyone.

And if you're missing friends and family who have flown south for the winter, why not send them a card from the gift shop? There are plenty of options to choose from, and a warm message from you will be sure to bring a smile to their face from afar.

So, when the stress of the snow starts to pile up, head to the Quesnel Art Gallery & Gift Shop for a little respite. You'll find a quiet, cozy environment to step away from the cold and be surrounded by beauty. Why not make the most of this winter weather and treat yourself to a visit to the Quesnel Art Gallery today, it’s free!
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February Show poster
A delightful new setting

Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of wildlife and nature. With the upcoming Gallery Show 'Delight' featuring local photographer Laurie Bare. Laurie captures stunning photographs of wildlife and the great outdoors that will leave you in awe. This is her first time showing her work in a Gallery space and it's an event you won't want to miss.

Laurie's eye for detail and her ability to capture the majesty of an environment is truly remarkable. Her photographs are more than just snapshots of nature; they're works of art that tell a story. Each image transports you to a different place and captures a moment in time that may take your breath away.

The opening reception for Laurie Bare's Gallery Show will be on February 15th from 7 PM to 9 PM. It's a chance for you to meet Laurie, hear about her vision, and see her work in person. There will be refreshments and a welcoming atmosphere, so you can relax, enjoy and become inspired by her work. See you there!
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A New Year to feature New Art!

1/6/2023

 
We are looking back at an artful year, while preparing for new things to come in 2023!
Inside the gallery
Another year done! 
Yet another year has come and gone and we are taking a look back at how things went at your local Quesnel Art Gallery. With a unique show each month there was always something new to see, we had some great turnouts for our opening reception events. Artists we had not featured in our Gallery before as well as our well-loved local’s filled the walls with new works.
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Opening Receptions
We had two full years without hosting events due to COVID. We were very happy to once again hold opening night receptions for a few shows, with a wonderful crowd of guests. The opening reception is a chance to celebrate the artist for all their work in putting together a show. It is also a great opportunity to meet new members of the community who share a love of Art! The Artists will give a quick speech before inviting guests to walk though and view the show for the first time. It’s so nice to mingle amongst smiling faces while all enjoying unique local talent.
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Maintenance 
We will be closed for the first two weeks of January so we can paint and do some maintenance to the showroom. It takes a lot of work from our wonderful volunteers to keep the Gallery looking fresh! If you have ever considered volunteering with us, send us an email to see how you can help! The Gallery and Gift Shop will open again on January 18th for our first Show of the year!
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January 2023 Show poster

First Show!
The first show of the year is ‘Another Brenda Lee Production’ opening on January 18th with a reception from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. This is going to be a unique collection of Brenda’s works including watercolour and multimedia design. Be sure to join us in celebrating this Artist at the opening, we look forward to seeing you all there.
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Free Little Art Galleries
'The Little Free Art Galleries' are both refurbished and ready for some tiny art pieces. Keep an eye on our social media to see what's sitting on the shelves in our Little Free Art Galleries. You can trade anything inside for a little art piece to leave behind, that way we can keep it full! It doesn't have to be professional in any way, we love all kinds of art as long as it's appropriate for the kids to take part. Galleries are outside the Arts & Rec Centre on the wall by the front door, and at Big Country Printers on the sidewalk. With the warmer weather this is a great afternoon outing, be sure to share on social media what you see inside! #qaqfreelittlegallery    
Photo of the Free Little Art Gallery
Emerging artists 
Attention all artists! Have you ever wondered what it takes to have your work featured on the walls of an Art Gallery? Find out what the process is to become a consignor by visiting our website or come and see us in person at the Gallery! Our volunteers will be happy to share information about getting involved, after all this is YOUR community Art Gallery & Gift Shop!
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Coming soon…
We have our whole 2023 schedule planned out, the brochures will be available at the Art Gallery & Visitor Centre as well as on our website. The first show of the year will open on January 18th with an evening reception from 7:00PM-9:00PM. Refreshments will be available and there will be a short speech by the Artist, everyone is welcome! 
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Thank You! 
From Gallery Members and Volunteers we want to Thank You, the community, for a wonderful 2022! We hope to bring more joy through art, this year and for many more to come. We wish you all a Happy New Year and we can’t wait to see you at the Art Gallery! A big Thank you to all of our 2023 Sponsors for supporting this upcoming year of shows. 
♥Cariboo Cabin by Sam Watters
♥ Rocky Peak
♥ School District #28
♥ Joan Ramsey Harker
♥ Design Flooring Ltd.
 ♥ North Cariboo Realty Ltd.
♥ Big Country Printers Ltd.
♥ Bill & Sue-Ellen Miller
♥ DHJ Design Studio
♥ Forsythia Holdings Inc.
♥ Gold Town Ink Studio
♥ The Den by Moonshine Coffee Roasters
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Hey Quesnel, still looking for that perfect gift?

12/15/2022

 
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Our Beaux Arts Bazaar is still happening! You can shop all the way up until December 23rd here at the Gallery, so keep us in mind if you need a last minute gift. We have unique handcrafted items to fit any budget. Stocking Stuffers, Co-worker gifts, cards, ornaments and so much more! If you haven't been in here, be sure to check it out!
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Don’t forget that the Art Gallery & Gift Shop are full of unique handcrafted local gifts! Our very talented members have come up with some inventive ideas this year. From glassware, pottery to woodwork, textiles, and a bit of everything between. You're sure to find something special for those hard-to-shop-for ones on your list.
 
Cards sent at Christmas are something special, and we have some especially beautiful hand crafted cards. With local touches these cards can mean so much more wherever they end up, sending along a little Quesnel love. Original watercolour cards of Barkerville in the winter, impressive photographs of local wildlife. Support our artists this holiday season or any occasion you need a card, we always have something new!

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Decorating the tree can be quite magical, a true work of art no matter how it's done. Collecting ornaments over the years is something almost everyone does. Holding so many memories and meaning, a special gift that stays around. Every year it's so exciting to see what our members make to hang on our trees. This year we have a wonderful selection of one-of-a-kind creations. Make someone smile with these thoughtful and affordable gifts!
 
While small gifts are great, we also have incredible pieces of art for extra generous givers. Wall clocks, canvas photo prints, original paintings and artworks, rare pottery and sculptures. There are some items you may have never thought of, so come see what you can find for someone still on your list.

​ "Art is a form of love. Art is the ultimate gift. Art heals life."
-Robert Genn

The Gallery & Gift Shop Holiday Hours
TUESDAY-FRIDAY 10:00AM-4:00PM
OPEN DECEMBER 27-30 - Final week of the year
CLOSED JANUARY 1-17 - For repairs and maintenance


 - Shae Lightening (Gallery Assistant)

What’s Been Happening at The Gallery?

10/6/2022

 
The final shows of the year are on now! Holiday season is really just around the corner and it’s going to be a fun one!


Excitement at the Opening:

The gallery was buzzing with pride and joy from a very diverse group of artists at our last opening event. Over 60 people came to enjoy the opening of the show ‘A Spectrum of Perspectives’ including the artists, who ranged in age from 4 to 84. 
Show Opening Reception
For many of these artists it was their very first time having their work displayed to the public, which is very exciting! We look forward to seeing more from these artists in the future, they work out of Spectrum Art Studios which offers a variety of workshops and classes. 
Opening Reception Photo
Opening Reception Photo
Opening Reception Photo
Opening Reception Photo
The 29th of September was the last day to see the show, it’s all packed up and delivered back to the proud artists. Preparations are beginning for our next show now, if you want to see some more photos from any of our shows follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the latest information and updates.
October Show poster
Down to the Wire:

Our final gallery art exhibit of the year is about to take place for the next few weeks before we start thinking about Christmas time and all the excitement that will bring. Before we get ahead of ourselves it’s ‘Down to the Wire’ - a wonderful group of local artists will bring a collection of paintings and sculptures based on their interpretations of fences. Maggie Ferguson-Dumais is the artist we can thank for putting together this exhibit for the public to enjoy, she will be joined by a variety of talent working with a variety of mediums. The show is sponsored by Bob and Monica Seguin.

Opening night is October 6th and everyone is more than welcome to join us at the Gallery for the reception, with several artists in attendance and refreshments offered it’s always a delightful evening socialising amongst the artwork. This show will run until November 4th and then that’s when we can start thinking about Beaux Arts Bazaar and all the joy Christmas brings into the Gallery & Gift Shop!
​Beaux Arts Bazaar:

Here it comes again, Beaux Arts Bazaar! The gallery will become host to a large variety of talented artists and crafters to offer a lovely local Christmas shopping experience. In the past we have been lucky to have the Quesnel Farmers Market join us at the Rec Centre for their Saturday Christmas Markets unfortunately due to restrictions they were unable to have their event for the past few years. This year is their exciting return, giving you even more wonderful vendors to shop from!

The Holiday season is a busy time for us in the Gallery & Gift Shop, we are very grateful for the support of the community and our dedicated volunteers! With the busy season comes the need for some helping hands, if you or anyone you know would be interested in volunteering with the Gallery & Gift Shop we would LOVE to hear from you! Please stop in for more information on how you can get involved in the Gallery or with the Beaux Arts Bazaar! 

Thanks for reading and until next time, best regards Shae Lightening

Join us At the gallery

8/16/2022

 
August show poster

Hello everyone, 


New Exhibit:

Here at the gallery we are preparing for our exciting new exhibit, ‘A Spectrum of Perspectives’ from Quesnel’s own Spectrum Art Studios. This show is a unique collection of work by over 15 emerging artists from ages 4 years and up, who are studying under the talented artist & teacher Tanya Shymko. The title represents the spectrum of colours, ages and influences we see through art, this is evident when observing the wonderful range of pieces together in one room. 

We will be hosting an opening reception at the Gallery on Thursday, August 18th from 7:00PM-9:00PM with all of the artists in attendance. The opening reception is a chance to hear where the inspiration for the show came from and meet the artists who put so much work into this exhibit. There will be coffee, tea, and treats and a brief introduction from the artists who made this show possible, we hope to see you all there!

The variety of mediums filling up our space right now is bringing so much colour and joy to the white walls, I’m sure it will inspire and delight anyone who walks in for the next few weeks until the show ends on September 29th. If you can’t make it to the opening reception, be sure to check out the show on our regular business days, Tuesday through Saturday 10:00AM-4:00 PM.

Temporary Closure:

Due to scheduled maintenance of the building the Rec Centre will be closed from September 5th-18th meaning the Art Gallery and Gift Shop will be inaccessible and therefore also will be closed. We are planning on starting back up on the 20th of September where you can still catch the showing of ‘A Spectrum of Perspectives’ for its final weeks in our Gallery. Behind the scenes we will be working on some exciting new projects for the future, keep up with our blog posts to be the first informed! 

With Summer coming closer to an end we will be relying on the incredible support of our volunteers to keep the Gallery and Gift Shop up and running for its regular hours. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and supporters in this wonderful community.  If you are interested in volunteering, please come visit or give us a call at the Gallery!
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Stop in and say hi!

7/22/2022

 
Photo of the outside of the gallery and gift shop
Hello wonderful people of Quesnel! 

When’s the last time you stopped into the gallery and gift shop? 
I’ve been spending most of my time here lately, if you’ve popped in recently you may know who I am, and if not I’d love for you to stop in and say hi! My name is Shae Lightening and I’ve been with the gallery for several months now, and I have to say it’s been an inspiring and motivating experience to be a part of the incredible art community we have here in Quesnel. The future of the Art Gallery and Gift Shop is bright and full of new ideas. I'm very excited to be a part of it all and can’t wait to share that excitement with all of you.

It’s always changing here, we have to be adaptable with so many talented local artists bringing in a variety of wonderfully unique items. The gift shop is full of original artworks, from cards to sculptures and all sorts of interesting items in between, there is sure to be something to treat yourself or someone you love. Although making a trip to the gallery is a treat in itself, you never know what might catch your eye while you stroll past the paintings, or what conversation could spark while surrounded by art. The local talent we showcase in the gift shop is genuinely inspiring, it might even put you in the mood to do some crafting and creating of your own! The Gallery and Gift Shop are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm -- come on over and see the incredible local talent we have on display. 

July show poster
Our Current Gallery Show:

The Gallery is currently displaying ‘Aging, Art and the Modern Elder’ , a wonderfully diverse exhibit created by the members of the North Okanagan chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists. This show has been to several galleries in BC already and will be traveling to another Art Gallery after the showing here ends on August 11th. The senior artists took a variety of approaches to this title and reflected what it means to them, with phenomenal varying results in a range of different mediums. This show is one worth checking out, coming from the North Okanagan region this is a great opportunity to see works by artists we may not have the pleasure of witnessing in our gallery after this exhibition. 


Art Trail promotional ad poster
​Artists, have you heard about the Art Trail? 

You may know it as the ‘Art Walk’ from previous years, well this year it’s expanding across all of Quesnel so it's been given a new name, still with the same fun concept! We will be pairing artists with businesses across town to display a selection of their art to the public, and creating an interactive brochure for patrons to locate each artist. These brochures will then become an entry ticket to the gift basket draw at the end of the event, we have received generous donations within the community for these prizes. If you are an artist or business interested in learning more or signing up to get involved please contact Sam Watters at quesnelartwalk@gmail.com 
​We look forward to seeing you at the gallery and gift shop in the coming weeks, and I would love to hear what your thoughts are on our current Gallery Show. I’m here all summer long Tuesday through Saturday 10-4 , stop in and say hello! 

- Shae Lightening (Gallery Assistant)

Ingrained Stories in June

6/15/2021

 
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Hello People of Quesnel,

How are you this fine day (as long as it's not hailing outside)? Things here at the gallery are looking pretty blue. Not sad, literally blue. Our current show by indigenous artist, Darin Corbiere, is called "Ingrained Stories: What the Wood Said to Me" and it's on until June 25th at the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop. This exhibition is a departure from what we normally show at the gallery, but it is relevant to current events in BC and couldn't be shown at a more important time. Darin Corbiere's works are at times unsettling, detailed, and powerful, featuring ink drawings on pieces of wood. The works are shown under black light, which brings out the colours of the ink, while drawing viewers in to see the details.

On top of using this unconventional lighting system, there are stories posted on the walls accompanying most of the works. Darin Corbiere mixes indigenous mythology with personal stories and beliefs to create a fantastic experience in this exhibition. He discusses Sitting Bull, Mother Earth, the Catholic Church, and stories surrounding origin and sexuality. This show could not have come at a more important time; when these are the voices and stories that need to be heard.

James Darin Corbiere is from Wikwemikong, an Indigenous community on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. He is Anishinaabe, and was living in Prince George, BC, until recently. He now resides on Vancouver Island, and came back for a few days to install the show. We also have prints available in the gift shop for purchase, and images of the show online if you are unable to attend in person. Do not miss this timely, and significant show. I will post updates on what's coming up in the gallery in a separate post.

- Tanya Nielsen (Member-at-Large)

Twitter: @QuesnelArt
Facebook: Quesnel Art Gallery
Instagram: quesnelartgallery

May This Show resonate with You

5/13/2021

 
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Hello, Everyone!

Happy, sunny days are here in Quesnel, and we are celebrating this at the gallery with a new show. 'Resonate' features the works of Judith DesBrisay and Cheri Maisonneuve and is running from now until May 28th! Come in and see it or check out the show on social media, we have posted images of it on Facebook. 'Resonate' celebrates the works of two of Quesnel's favourite, long-time practicing artists and their shared medium, resin. A couple of the works are done as a collaboration between these two artists, but the majority are either the abstract working of DesBrisay, or portrayals of the ocean by Maisonneuve. The works are breath-taking, and very shiny, do not miss this show or the opportunity to purchase one of these works through the gift shop or through emailing us at quesnelartgallery@gmail.com.

This is the last month to submit a proposal for our 2022 exhibition year! If you are interested in showing at the Quesnel Art Gallery next year, make sure that you get your submission in by May 31st. We have an online application found here. We will be reviewing submissions in June and informing people of their status by June 30th. We are already excited about some of the submissions we already have and we can't wait to put together the full line up!

We also have a Community Show opening up July 3rd and running until the 29th. It is a new venture for us, and we are calling it the 'A Summer Garden'! Bring us your works related to the theme of what you think of, or see, in your garden during the summertime.  We will start taking in works at the end of June, so start working on those masterpieces! If you have any questions about the 'Summer Garden' show, please contact us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or our website. We're looking forward to filling the gallery with sunshine, flowers, and all good things green.

We are also thinking about ways to have workshops this summer! We missed hosting them last year, but we made up for it with the tile kits for the community mural (which you wholly embraced, thank you so much for that). We are thinking about potentially doing more kits for another project, and a couple of guest lectures. It is going to be an exciting summer!

The members' meeting is being held on Zoom on May 31st, at 2pm, if you are interested in attending and learning more about what's going on at the gallery, send us an email at quesnelartgallerymeeting@gmail.com and we will send you a link. Our AGM is coming up as well on June 21st, 2pm, email us (again) to let us know that you want to attend and mark the date on your calendars!

​Our next show opens up on June 3rd, and it is "Ingrained Stories - What the Wood Said to Me" with Darin Corbiere. That is everything for now, keep checking our social media and our website for more updates!

​- Tanya Nielsen (Member at Large)
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Twitter: @QuesnelArt
Facebook: Quesnel Art Gallery
Instagram: quesnelartgallery
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    Shae Lightening
    ​(Gallery Assistant)

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