In the News: We Are Artists exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery

CHBC News covered the opening event of the We Are Artist exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Here is the link to the video report: http://www.chbcnews.ca/v...

Cool Arts began in the spring of 2003, when interested individuals began brainstorming about a group that would provide Fine Arts opportunities for local adults with developmental disabilities. Cool Arts vision is... to create opportunities, to make art, to take classes and learn, to be in a supportive fine arts environment, to exhibit or perform, to be part of the larger arts community.

Over the past year, 13 of the Cool Artists came together to prepare their pieces for the We Are Artists exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery. They have done self portraits which are part of their installment (a three piece exhibit) as well as other individual pieces. They worked together to produce several murals.

The Cool Arts Board of Directors, spearheaded Sara Lige, a board member and parent, worked in conjunction with the Kelowna Art Gallery to facilitate this exhibit. They collaborated with other community groups to produced a beautiful catalogue featuring each of the artists work, their bio as well and their thoughts on their work with Cool Arts. This catalogue also provides terminology common to the arts community as well as the disability community serving as a great teaching tool. Copies of these catalogues will be sent to Art Galleries throughout Canada to bring awareness and to promote similar artist groups throughout the country.

Opening night saw a huge crowd, over 225 people attended including the Mayor of Kelowna. The art gallery staff were amazed at the turn out, noting that a good opening night may see 80 attendees. The show runs until March 21, 2010. This is a must see if you are in the Kelowna area.

For more information or to stroll through the Cool Art gallery go to www.coolarts.ca .

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