Good day, People of Quesnel!

We are moving fast through April here at the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop, but slowing down enough for you to come and see our new show, "The Cowboys and Cowgirls of the Cariboo" with Nicole Johnston. The show features photos from ranches around the Cariboo region, and they are gorgeous! We are also getting some copies of Nicole Johnston's book featuring photos from the show. We are just waiting for them to be dropped off (any day now), so keep your eyes on social media to know when we have them in. The prints from the show are also for sale, you can find an album of them on Facebook, with the prices listed. If you are interested in multiple copies, please let us know and we will contact the artist to place your request. We will also have an interview with the artist, Nicole Johnston, available on our website, soon. She talks about her photography, the ranches she visited, and what inspired her work. "The Cowboys and Cowgirls of the Cariboo" is showing until April 29th, do not miss it, it is a fantastic show!

Speaking of shows, we are doing an early Call for Proposals for our 2022 Exhibition Year! If you are interested in showing at the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop in 2022, please fill out this form and we will contact you, requesting photos of your work. We are accepting applications until the 31st of May, and will contact you by June 30th to let you know if you are accepted or not. Let us know if you have all the works completed, or if you just have an idea right now.  This is an excellent opportunity to show your work, or light the fire if you need a deadline to finish those projects you have on the go (you know who you are, don't deny it).

Now that it is April, the 2021/2022 year Membership fees are due. If you want to renew your membership but do not want to come into the gallery, you can update them on the website, and pay by e-transfer, debit, or credit card. We will update your information here and send you a new card. Use this card to get 10% off in the gift shop, and on art supplies at Big Country Printers! (That reminds me ... I need more coloured pens.)

We also have a member's meeting on Zoom on April 19th, at 2:00pm. We will be discussing the comings and goings of the gallery, future projects, and other stuff related to arts in Quesnel. If you are interested in attending, please email Marguerite at quesnelartgallerymeeting@gmail.com, and she will send you a link to the meeting. 

Our next show will be "Resonate," with Judith DesBrisay and Cheri Maisonneuve. It promises to be a fantastic show, and opens on May 6th, 2021. This is it for now, I will share more news with you in the upcoming month. Now, go sit outside on your lawn/deck/balconey/driveway, or go River Walk or somewhere that has a patio, and enjoy the sunshine. You have earned it.

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

Hello, People of Quesnel!

It is the middle March, the snow is melting, and don't forget to reset your clocks one hour ahead because the days are getting longer as we head into spring. We may not have flowers outside, but we are featuring a lot of colour in the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop with the Kidz Art Show, featuring works by the young artists of the area! This is our favourite show of the year (along with all the other shows). We have some amazing works up from now until the 27th of March, so come and see it soon! If you are unable to come in, we are posting images of the show on social media and we have a wonderful interview featured in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer. A special thanks goes to School District #28 for sponsoring the show and for helping us with the set up.

We also heard some exciting news from our friends at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George.  They are doing a "Call for Expressions of Interest" for a new work of art for their main campus entrance.  They are looking for a new installation that celebrates diversity and reconciliation. They do NOT require full proposals at this time but are looking for statements of interest from local artists. If you are interested, send in your CV and/or Artist's Bio, a one page letter of interest, and 6-10 images, by MARCH 26TH, 2021; the information on the project can be found here. It looks like an amazing opportunity to have your work art welcoming new visitors, students, and employees, especially when the school is fully open again.

It has been one year since we first went into lockdown because of COVID-19.  This was a difficult time for everyone, but the vaccinations are rolling out, it is getting warmer every day, and soon, we'll be able to sit outside with small gatherings (as long as no one jinxes it). We have some good news to tide you over until then. Summer will be here before we know it, and with that comes the new "A Summer Garden Community Show"! This will be our community show of the year, open to works from members of the community, based around the idea of summer gardens. The show will run during the month of July and we will start accepting works at the end of June. I know that there's a lot of time between now and then, but this also gives you a lot of time to prepare. We are also running our Call for Proposals for 2022 early this year, and the form is a little different. If you are interested in doing a show with us, fill out the form before May 31st and we will notify people by the end of June. We are still working on a survey for you to fill out, but we hope to have it out soon (I mean it). We want to hear from you about the kind of shows, workshops, and projects you like, what you think about some potential upcoming new projects, and your interest in different kinds of volunteer work (if you're one of our volunteers or interested in helping).

The truth is we are going to be busy, busy, busy this year! Which actually isn't much different from other years, but we are excited about our upcoming shows like "The Cowboys and Cowgirls of the Cariboo" with Nicole Johnston in April, and "Resonate" with Judith DesBrisay and Cheri Maisonneuve in May. We have a some new ideas for the summer projects, which we hope you will enjoy, and, as always, the gift shop features some great new works by local artists. Some of which are available online, including our memberships which need to be renewed in April. Keep in touch, and your membership in good standing, to be up-to-date with what's going on in the gallery.

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

Hello People of Quesnel!

We're back!!! Did you miss us? Because we missed you. The gallery is officially open again after being closed for the long month of January. We were so excited at the thought of seeing you again that we didn't care that we were opening up again in the middle of a sudden drop in temperature. It is cold outside, actually, it is beyond cold outside. So cold, that we decided to warm things up in the gallery by having a beautiful summertime show. Simple, Summer with Lesley Kuhn will be up in the gallery until February 26th. It is a gorgeous show, featuring beautiful, sunny works that will help you get through these freezing days. If you cannot get to the gallery, check out the images on social media and on the website! We are posting an interview with the artist, and if you are interested in one of her works, let us know. We can process transactions over the phone or by e-transfer. A special thanks goes out to Joan Ramsey Harker for sponsoring the show!

While we were closed, we had a nice scrub down and redecorated the Gift Shop. We also did a full inventory of everything. Did you know that we have over 1000 items in the shop? It doesn't look like it, but we do. I know because I counted each and every one of them myself. While this inventory check was a long time coming, we couldn't have done it without the help of our volunteers, and of course, a big THANK YOU to Community Futures North Cariboo for funding this project so that we could have someone set up a digital database. In the next few months, we are upgrading our consignment system so that we are no longer processing sales transactions by hand. This is going to be a huge change for us and we are going to have to work out the kinks as we go, but it is going to lead to some great things for us. We hope that you will be happy about what's coming up for us, but for now, just be happy that we are really excited to not write up receipts by hand. So excited.

Since we are dreaming big, and planning for the future, we decided to open up the CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR 2022!!! We want to get a head start on the next year, and that means looking for upcoming exhibitions now. We are accepting proposals from now until May 31st, 2021, 5pm. If you are interested in showing next year at the Quesnel Art Gallery, please fill out this form, and we will review all applications at the beginning of June. We have included a new policy for our artists, if they bring their own sponsors, they will receive the discounted commission fees instead of having to volunteer for them.

That being said, the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop is always looking for new volunteers. We rely on them to keep the gallery doors open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and to keep things running well. We understand the concerns about working in a public space, but we do have safety procedures in place to stay safe... and we are not a heavy traffic place. If you are looking to spend some time outside of your home, you could volunteer for a few hours a month with us, talk with a few people, and help out our arts community.

I think that is everything for this month. Stay tuned for an upcoming survey on our programs, the Kidz Art Show in March, and any other exciting information I can share. It's good to be back!

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

Greetings Quesnel!

We hope that you had a fantastic holiday. The dedication you showed at this year's Beaux Arts Bazaar was incredible! Thank you so much for coming in, calling us, and emailing your requests; it means so much to us, your local arts and crafts people, and the local businesses, how you supported all of us with your holiday shopping. Also, a BIG THANK YOU to KPMG, Fraserview Pharmacy, and Community Futures for sponsoring Beaux Arts Bazaar 2020. This year, we were able to not only continue our Bazaar, but to invite some of the vendors from the Farmer's Market to set up their wares. We promoted unique gifts, made by members of the community, arranged pick ups for those concerned about social distancing, and we kept people safe. On that note, thank you for wearing your masks and disinfecting your hands, you kept us safe too.

Now that the holidays are over, we are taking a bit of a break. We are going to be CLOSED for the month of JANUARY to do some much needed cleaning and taking stock of our inventory. This is long overdue, and we are doing it in anticipation of some revamping that's coming later in 2021! We have some big changes planned for this year. Two of these changes are happening this month: we are announcing our call for submissions for 2022 early, and we are putting out a survey to find out what YOU would like to see us doing at the gallery. So keep an eye out for our newsletter, our blog posts, and our social media accounts.

If you miss us during this time (as we will undoubtedly miss you), we are still selling memberships, mural cards/prints, and our new calendars on the website! The calendars are $20, all proceeds go to your favourite gallery (us, obviously), and you get to know everything that is happening in the gallery for 2021. Well, not everything, but you will know when our shows are happening. And that we are going to be reopening February 4th with our exhibition "Simple Summer" with Lesley Kuhn!

That is all I can tell you for now. If you would like to learn about more of the things we doing this year, we are having a Members' Meeting this January 25th, at 2:00pm on Zoom. We'll be talking about some of the upcoming changes and our plans for the future. If you are interested in attending, please email us at quesnelartgallery@gmail.com. Until then, keep safe, and we will see again either January 25th at the meeting, or February 4th for the opening!

- Tanya Nielsen (Member at Large)

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

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It's our favourite time of the year at the Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop! It's time for Beaux Arts Bazaar. This annual show is an opportunity for the local artists and craftspeople of the Cariboo Region to sell their works for the holidays. We are packed with paintings, pottery, cards, soaps, ornaments, glass, drawings, knitting, and wood carvings. All of it available for your holiday shopping!

We have some of our holiday favourites returning this year, such as cards and bookmarks by Lorrie Stolarski, Chickadees by Maggie Ferguson-Dumais, and glass ornaments by Sandy Fontaine. We also have new items such as wool snowmen by Lou Dobie, walking sticks by Ron Caskey, and photos by Sam Watters. Your local artists pulled through this trying time with some fantastic and unique gifts for the holiday shopping event of the year. We're lucky to have so many of the things you loved last year, as well as so many new items that we know you (or that someone special) will love.

 When we heard the unfortunate news about the Winter Farmer's Market being cancelled, we reached out to some of the vendors to see if they wanted to set up their wares in the gallery this year. We are happy to welcome Lavender Blue Soaps, Willow Tree Pottery, and The Mushroom Lady, to this year's Beaux Arts Bazaar. They have wonderful works set up for your perusal. The soaps are wonderful for stocking stuffers, the mugs are ready for hot cocoa, and the silk scarves will brighten up any outfit.

The Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop knows that this year has been difficult on local businesses, arts and crafts people, and especially difficult on you ... our community. We want you to know that we understand this, and that we understand concerns you may have about wanting to support local while following COVID-19 protocols. The Quesnel Art Gallery has a mandatory mask policy, and can supply you with one if needed. We are also posting photos of our items on our Facebook page so that you may shop from the safety of your home and make arrangements for pick up (payments can be made by e-transfer, or credit card over the phone). We're updating the photo album regularly, so keep checking it!

If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please look for it at one of the other amazing local businesses we have in our community. A lot of businesses are going to great lengths to keep this community safe and could use a little support. Check out the Facebook page for the Quesnel Farmer's Market to find out how some of them are selling their wares this holiday season, or contact local businesses and vendors to find out what is being sold, where is it being sold, and what arrangements can be made to remain safe.

Most importantly, make sure that you remain safe and healthy this holiday season; we want to able to ring in the new year with you. Oh, and almost forgot,  our new 2021 calendars are now available in the gift shop and on our website (last plug, I swear)!

Special thanks to Community Futures North Cariboo, KPMG, and Fraserview Pharmacy for sponsoring Beaux Arts Bazaar this year.

- Tanya Nielsen (Member at Large)

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

Hello Everyone,

Fall has arrived in yellow, orange, and red landscapes in Quesnel, and the art gallery is preparing for the last few months of 2020! While the year has been one of many trials, we managed to finish our community mural without a hitch. Thank you to everyone for coming to the unveiling, we hope that you enjoyed it. If you have yet to see the new mural, 'Community Spirit,' come by Reid St. this week and also take part in the Art Walk. Collect the letters from every participating business and enter your form into the draw for October 10th. We have some nice prizes for the winners!
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​Our new exhibition, 'Fraser River Photographic Encaustic' by Rick Blacklaws, is opening on Thursday, October 8th! The show will run from Thursday until November 6th at the art gallery. We are really excited to exhibit these amazing works, and we are having a book signing on the evening of November 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Come meet the artist and get a signed copy of his book. We will also be posting images of the show on social media and our website, as well as an interview with the artist. Check the website regularly for more information on the new show, or come see us in-person. It's pretty outside the Rec Centre right now, enjoy it before it starts getting cold.

While it's not quite the time yet for holiday shopping, the gallery is starting to prepare for it. We also heard the unfortunate news that the Holiday Farmer's Market is cancelled this year. We always look forward to seeing what's new, and shopping for unique holiday gifts while supporting our local artisans and craftspeople. The Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop is still going ahead with Beaux Arts Bazaar, but we are speaking with vendors from the Farmer's Market to see if we can come up with a solution. Beaux Arts Bazaar starts November 14th, so mark your calendars and check back regularly for updates on what we're going to have this year at the gallery!

If you are one of the artists who regularly contributes to the Bazaar, start putting together your works and wares. We are going to have a fantastic Beaux Arts this year and the gallery is coming up with contingencies so we can still provide our services with COVID-19 protocols. We are working towards being more accessible online with our shows and gift shop, and arranging purchase pick-ups for those who are concerned with shopping at the gallery and maintaining social distance.

I'll be posting more information on all of these upcoming events regularly this month, so keep an eye out. Until then, have a happy week, get a fall time drink (something with apples or pumpkin spice), and go see the Art Walk on Reid St.

- Tanya Nielsen (Member at Large)

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

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our new blog! The Quesnel Art Gallery and Gift Shop is working on being more accessible to those who are staying at home, so part of that effort is increasing our presence online. We are going to post more information here on what is happening at the gallery, with arts and culture around town, and new things in the gift shop.

We are also revamping our website to have more information about local artists, photos and interviews regarding our exhibitions, and some items from the gift shop for online sale. If you are in town and looking for something to do, please come in, we would love to see you. We have missed you. If you are staying inside, then feel free to explore our website and leave a note for us. We would love to hear from you.

Check back regularly for new posts, because we have a lot of great things in the works! We are planning new exhibitions, doing work around the community, and let's not forget Beaux Arts Bazaar. There are things coming up that you won't want to miss. So stay tuned, and it is wonderful to see you again.

- Tanya Nielsen (Member at Large)

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