Category: Oxygen Art Centre

Support your artist-run centreRESIDENCYSummer Residency Chris Dufour 1 July – 18 August 2024 Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to welcome Chris Dufour as artist-in-residence from July 1, 2024, to August 18, 2024.  Concerned about the ways that relationships get built or cast aside with ecologies altered by industry, during their residency Chris will be researching material practices in connection with the deforested cut block.  Chris will be utilizing plant-based dyes, plant-photo developers, quilting, printmaking, and social practice to gather around what it might mean to care for the remnants of extractive industries. During the residency Chris host open studio gatherings and workshops to share the practices and invite folks to bring their own relational practices to ecologies.  Chris Dufour initiated research during a workshop series, “Between Futility and Futurity” co-facilitated with Alexis Hogan in March 2024. They left screen printed seed packets containing yarrow, fireweed, and goldenrod alongside wildfire charcoal for folks to plant in anticipation of this residency. This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program.ABOUT THE ARTISTChris Dufour (they/them) is an interdisciplinary social practice artist working between Kanien’kehá:ka and Lekwungen territory. Chris uses mediums of plants, gardening, ecological wandering, textiles, quilting, installation, darkroom manipulation, leather tanning, and sculpture to process questions of how do we cultivate a sense of belonging within and among systemic power dynamics? How do we push against empire while cultivating resilient communities and cultures of care? What practices of living can we recuperate, develop, and employ within contemporary cultures of crisis? Of Irish and Quebecois heritage, Chris grew up outside of Kjipuktuk (so called Halifax, NovaScotia) and has spent the last 8 years working and living across many territories on Turtle Island. After attending the Yukon School of Visual Arts,Chris took on a practice of grassroots learning that brought them to social practice, permaculture, soil ecology, and accessible community-based education.Throughout, Chris values projects which seek to utilize material practices as a facilitator, to process connections and relationships to ecologies, modalities of care, alternative futures, and ruminations about world building.LEARN MOREO2 EXHIBITIONOxygen Art Centre’s fourth exhibition in the window project entitled O2, features a new textile artwork by Tracy Fillion is extended to24 June 2024.  Located on the Stanley Avenue side of the Nelson Trading Company building (430 Baker Street) in downtown Nelson, B.C., O2 is a window-turned-gallery.  The artwork features hand woven linen scraps and yarn composed into a series of layered rectangles to highlight the materiality of each material. This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.LEARN MOREJOINSupport your artist-run centre by becoming an Oxygen Art Centre Member. Oxygen Memberships run from $2 (Senior/Student) to $5 (Single) to $10 (Families) and significantly help our organization. Become a member today! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITSEvents, Tours and Artist TalksVolunteer, Networking and Mentorship ExperienceRegular mailings and newslettersVoting Privileges at Oxygen Art Centre’s AGMAccess to current Exhibition Publications and CataloguesArtist-in-Residence and Exhibition ToursRegister ONLINE or by MAIL Already a Member? Consider making a Donation.REGISTER

Youth Art Retreat, Lost Cat!, Education, O2, and more Donate! Support your artist-run centreYOUTH ART RETREATWho: Youth (15 – 18 yrs.) When: July 2, 2024 + July 3 – 5, 2024  Where: The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) With: Dr. Michelle Jack + Tracie Stewartvia Oxygen Art Centre What: Art, land-based practices FEE: $125 (Registrations via Google form) Deadline to apply: MAY 17, 2024 at 5PM PSTExplore connections with self, water, and land during a three-day, two-night retreat at The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) from July 3 – 5, 2024. Dr. Michelle Jack, an Artist /Educator and sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) person, with Tracie Stewart, an artist, naturalist, arborist, and creative from Terrace, with Scottish/ Doukhobor background, invite you to join them at The Narrows Youth Art Retreat as they share techniques in building with natural materials.  Together we will reference the land while making prayer flags to respect all the timxʷ (all living things), the təmúlaʔxʷ (earth/mother), siwɬkʷ (water), and kʷl’ncútən (creator). We will then reference ourselves and our journey in life as we work in a team to build one functional boat and individual vessels. When creating work, sustainability has to be considered in every sense. We will encourage youth to explore these concepts from their own personal backgrounds. Participants can expect to engage in a daily sketching practice to document our experiences as we learn about ourselves, the water, and the lands around us in this immersive experience. Participants will travel by boat to The Narrows Art Retreat to share this retreat experience with four other youth between the ages of 15-18 years old. Oxygen’s Education Coordinator Natasha Smith will be on site to support throughout. Together we will share accommodation, meals, and learning for three-days, two-nights in July 2024. Before the retreat itself, everyone will meet at Oxygen Art Centre for an orientation on July 2, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.  All food, accommodation, art materials, and transportation to and from the retreat centre are included. This program is generously supported by Cowan’s Office Supplies Ltd., Valhalla Pure Outfitters, the Narrows Art Retreat, and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.ABOUT THE ARTISTSDr. Michelle Jack is a syilx/Okanagan creative from the communities of snpintktn (Penticton, BC) and nisɬpícaʔ (Omak, WA). She has her PhD from Washington State University in Transnational  (American Studies) with focus on Indigenous and Intercultural communication. She is a mother, working Abstract Image Maker/Scholar, who has a BFA from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from the University of Washington both in Studio Arts and Photography. Before her PhD studies she taught grades 6-8 on the Coeur D’Alene Reservation in Idaho. She has taught for 12 years at the En’owkin Centre which has a very diverse age range of learners from youth to elders. She uses her traditional sqilxʷ /syilx experiences to enhance her art practice and teaching methods as current head of Visual and Creative arts at En’owkin Centre, in snpintktn (Penticton) on the Penticton Indian Band reserve.Tracie Stewart (mother of 2 residing in Stolo Territory) is an international collaborative installation artist -ECCAD ’95- Arborist/ Naturalist -ISA ’09. Interested in exchanging many ways of knowing with youth, she facilitates projects using Teen Talking Circle skills/ values with Artstarts, and ARTCI inc. From Terrace, BC, Tracie experienced being a settler youth raised in a logging town with high substance abuse and suicide rates. Art saves lives.  Her roots of Doukhobor (Plotnikoff-meaning people that work with hands), and Scottish (Stewart) water people, farmers, and loggers influence a daily practice. Immersion in the elements, and the intersection of land + language, influences her practice of spatial linear drawing /sculpture using natural materials. “Geopoetic Symposium’ 22“,  Walking the Stalew ’21”, “Salt water Skin Boats ‘18” Grimm collaborations,” PLOT medicine wheel + sharing garden” -Newton,  “ACSS Mural“ ‘19  artstarts, Neel, ARTCI , “Tidewater Tales”, Brittania-Shipyard- Artistic innovation award, Coq125 -Artists rendering Tales Collective inc.ABOUT THE NARROWSFounded in 2015, The Narrows Art Retreat centre is nestled among cottonwood, cedar trees and ponderosa pines. Travel to the remote studio is by boat. Renew your creativity and immerse yourself in your practice away from distractions of daily life. The centre has a straw bale residence, separate studio and also includes a yurt on the property as studio or living space. It is built by artists who wanted to provide an inspirational space and setting to support the creative community. The Centre holds workshops, gatherings and residencies. The beauty of the Selkirk mountains, Kootenay Lake and the diverse wildlife, provide endless inspiration to infuse daily creativity.  It is isolated – travel to and from by boat.  The lake provides a buffer from the town, so you are removed, yet still close to take part in art and cultural events happening in Nelson.LEARN MOREREGISTERCOMMUNITYLOST CAT!Free community art-making event Basic Printmaking: Flowers and Foliagewith Myra RasmussenSaturday, May 25, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 PMFree to attend. No registration required. Join Myra to experiment with some basic printmaking techniques including carving rubber stamps, tetra-pack intaglio printing, and jelly-plate monotypes. All materials provided. No experience necessary.This program is generously supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.LEARN MOREYOUTH EDUCATIONPop! Up! PD DayIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 1 class: May 27 // Monday, 9 am – 2 pm (5 hours) Who: Youth, 10 – 15 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Natasha Smith – Multi-disciplinary Artist + Rayya Liebich – WriterWhat: Unconventional Portraits: Past, Present, Future!Following a series of fun prompts and exercises that will involve blind contour drawing, mirrors and metaphors, create three unique declarations of your identity! Who you were, who you are now, and who you imagine you will be!Using vinyl records as a canvas, create three poetically abstract self portraits of yourself using alternative materials like feathers and beads, collage and decoupage techniques, and letters and words. Symbolic of your individuality and personal freedom, these portraits can be as wild as you wish, especially since they will represent you as you have never seen yourself before. Bring a bagged lunch. All materials provided.Fee: $80REGISTERARTful Fridays!IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 4 classes: May 24 – June 14 // Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm (5 hours)Who: Youth, 12 – 18 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Marcus Dénommé – Printmaker + Ruby Creighton – Multi-disciplinary ArtistWhat: Long live the Zine-Machine!  Drawing from the wealth of knowledge provided by bookmaking/print media artists Ruby Creighton and Marcus Dénommé, students will learn about this rich history and art of DIY zine making. Using low-tech household tools and materials such as the flatbed scanner and photocopier, the class will cover the creative and accessible ways to book bind, collage, relief print, and ultimately participate in an artwork exchange amongst the group.Fee: $245 + $20 material feeTOTAL $265REGISTERROCK / PAPER / SCISSORSIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 5 classes: May 27 – June 24, 2024 // Mondays, 4:15 pm – 5.45 pmWho: Youth, 11 – 14 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Brian Lye – Filmmaker + Rayya Liebich – Poet & WriterWhat: Join filmmaker Brian Lye and poet Rayya Liebich on a multidisciplinary adventure to create a stop-motion animation film using an altered book as a springboard for story.  Rayya will demonstrate how to write blackout poems, create book folds, and use decoupage techniques inside a hardcover book.  Brian will then show you how to bring objects, words, and drawings to life using stop-motion animation. The culminating project will be a short movie of your chosen figurine/narrator literally jumping out of your book to tell a story through voice, image, and fun filming techniques.  Come ready to learn, explore, and be amazed!Fee:  $120 (All materials included)REGISTERWORM / HOLEIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 4 classes: May 24 – June 14, 2024 // Fridays, 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm (2 hours)Who: Youth, 15 – 18 yrsWith: 3 artist instructors: Catherine McIntosh – Visual Artist + Myra Rasmussen – Multi-disciplinary Artist + Marcus Dénommé – PrintmakerWhat: Join artists Myra Rasmussen, Marcus Dénommé, and Catherine McIntosh to learn all things printmaking. Students will have the chance to experience a variety of printmaking techniques including lino printing, screenprinting, and intaglio printing methods (drypoint & tetra-pack printing). Whether you have never done any printmaking or are interested in developing your skills further, this class will be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to further your artistic journey.Fee:  $120 (All materials included)REGISTERCreative Time – For New Parents IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE When: 5 classes: May 24 – June 14 / Tuesdays, 10 am – 12 noon (2 hours) Who: New Parents + Parents-to-be These classes are designed for the 6 month period before and after having your little one. With: Artist, educator & mom Natasha Smith What: Join other new parents and pregnant folk for creative time at Oxygen Art Centre. These inclusive, supportive, and fun sessions provide time to draw, collage, and write specific for pre- and post-partum bodies and children. Involving yourself in such mindful practices can be valuable for new parents (to be). No experience is necessary; just a desire to make time for creativity. Each week we will explore different techniques through thoughtful prompts for you and your baby to share creative practice. Fee: $100 (All materials included)REGISTERADULT EDUCATIONPart 2 of Oxygen’s Spring 2024 semester is now open for registration! Offered from May to June, reserve your spot to learn a new technique or advance an existing one, take part in life drawing sessions and critical discourse, and get creative with our incredible professional artist instructors and fellow students across screen printing, digital photography, performance, drawing, and everything in between! Course offerings available both in-person and online. To register, visit Oxygen’s website to access extended details and Google Form links for each course. Payment can be made via e-transfer, credit card, PayPal, and cheque. Contact Natasha Smith (Education Coordinator) via education@oxygenartcentre.org with any questions about the courses or how to apply.Interested in supporting Oxygen’s Education program? Consider making a donation to the Education subsidies fund today! This fund helps maintain low class fees and professional instructor wages.Plus, donations over $50 receive a charitable tax receipt!DONATEFigure Drawing #2  (no instruction) IN PERSON 4 Classes: May 27, June 3, 10, 17 Mondays: 6:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $48 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERArt Speak – Peer to Peer Work Sharing #2 Facilitated by Emilie Leblanc Kromberg IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20 Thursdays: 5 – 6:45pm TOTAL FEE: $60 Registration Deadline: May 16REGISTERDigital Photography – Getting Weirdwith Louis Bockner IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 1 & 2 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 2pm TOTAL FEE: $140 Registration Deadline: May 24REGISTERPainting from a Model #2(No Instruction) IN PERSON 1 Class: June 16 Sunday: 1 – 5 pm TOTAL FEE: $40 Registration Deadline: June 7REGISTERBeginner Painting: An Introduction to Colour (Part 2) with Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18 Tuesdays: 5:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $280 Registration Deadline: May 14REGISTERDream Journaling with Rose Nielsen IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19 Wednesdays: 6 – 8pm  TOTAL FEE: $160 Registration Deadline: May 13REGISTERBeginner Drawingwith Catherine McIntosh IN PERSON 1 Class: May 26 Sunday: 10am – 3pm TOTAL FEE: $105 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERDIY 16mm Film Processing + Intro to Bolex Camera with Brian Lye IN PERSON 1 Class: June 9 Sunday: 10am – 4pm TOTAL FEE: $130 Registration Deadline: May 31REGISTERThe Labwith Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 22 & 23 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 3:30pm TOTAL FEE: $200 Registration Deadline: June 14REGISTERLEARN MOREO2 EXHIBITIONOxygen Art Centre’s fourth exhibition in the window project entitled O2, features new artwork by Tracy Fillion is now on view from 5 April to 5 June 2024.  Located on the Stanley Avenue side of the Nelson Trading Company building (430 Baker Street) in downtown Nelson, B.C., O2 is a window-turned-gallery.  The new artwork by Fillion includes embroidered excerpts from a poem by Mary Oliver, “Invitation” (2009). For the artist, the words remind her to be present, look at the sky, appreciate the plants, listen for birds and bugs, and to seek laughter.This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.LEARN MORE

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Author Reading Series, Youth Art Retreat, Youth Education, Adult Education, and more Donate! Support your artist-run centreAUTHOR READING SERIESWorkshops: Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 10 AM + 1 PM (Pay-What-You-Can) Event: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM (Free! No registration required) All held at Oxygen’s facility (#3-320 Vernon St., Nelson, BC) Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the second event of 2024’s Author Reading Series featuring Corinna Chong and Matt Rader at an in-person reading event on Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM.This event is free, everyone welcome! No registration is required. The event will feature readings by Chong and Rader, in addition t emerging writer Madeline Setzer in the Selkirk College Creative Writing program. A short question and answer period will close the event. While visiting Nelson, Chong and Rader will offer two writing workshops on Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 10 AM + 1 PM at Oxygen’s facility. Registration required in advance. Spaces limited.Writing Against Perfectionism, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Revision w/Corinna Chong IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE 1 Class: May 2, 2024 Thursday: 10am – 12pm Fee: $PWYCREGISTERPraise, Gratitude, & Loss: Writing Odes & Elegies in an Age of Crisis w/Matt Rader IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE 1 Class: May 2, 2024 Thursday: 1pm – 3pm Fee: $PWYCREGISTERYOUTH ART RETREATWho: Youth (15 – 18 yrs.) When: July 2, 2024 + July 3 – 5, 2024  Where: The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) With: Dr. Michelle Jack + Tracie Stewart via Oxygen Art Centre What: Art, land-based practices FEE: $125 (via Google form) Deadline to apply: MAY 17, 2024 at 5PM PSTExplore connections with self, water, and land during a three-day, two-night retreat at The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) from July 3 – 5, 2024. Dr. Michelle Jack, an Artist /Educator and sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) person, with Tracie Stewart, an artist, naturalist, arborist, and creative from Terrace, with Scottish/ Doukhobor background, invite you to join them at The Narrows Youth Art Retreat as they share techniques in building with natural materials.  Together we will reference the land while making prayer flags to respect all the timxʷ (all living things), the təmúlaʔxʷ (earth/mother), siwɬkʷ (water), and kʷl’ncútən (creator). We will then reference ourselves and our journey in life as we work in a team to build one functional boat and individual vessels. When creating work, sustainability has to be considered in every sense. We will encourage youth to explore these concepts from their own personal backgrounds. Participants can expect to engage in a daily sketching practice to document our experiences as we learn about ourselves, the water, and the lands around us in this immersive experience. Participants will travel by boat to The Narrows Art Retreat to share this retreat experience with four other youth between the ages of 15-18 years old. Oxygen’s Education Coordinator Natasha Smith will be on site to support throughout. Together we will share accommodation, meals, and learning for three-days, two-nights in July 2024. Before the retreat itself, everyone will meet at Oxygen Art Centre for an orientation on July 2, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.  All food, accommodation, art materials, and transportation to and from the retreat centre are included. This program is generously supported by Cowan’s Office Supplies Ltd., Valhalla Pure Outfitters, the Narrows Art Retreat, and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. LEARN MOREREGISTERYOUTH EDUCATIONPop! Up! PD DayIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 1 class: May 27 // Monday, 9 am – 2 pm (5 hours) Who: Youth, 10 – 15 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Natasha Smith – Multi-disciplinary Artist + Rayya Liebich – WriterWhat: Unconventional Portraits: Past, Present, Future!Following a series of fun prompts and exercises that will involve blind contour drawing, mirrors and metaphors, create three unique declarations of your identity! Who you were, who you are now, and who you imagine you will be!Using vinyl records as a canvas, create three poetically abstract self portraits of yourself using alternative materials like feathers and beads, collage and decoupage techniques, and letters and words. Symbolic of your individuality and personal freedom, these portraits can be as wild as you wish, especially since they will represent you as you have never seen yourself before. Bring a bagged lunch. All materials provided.Fee: $80REGISTERARTful Fridays!IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 4 classes: May 24 – June 14 // Fridays, 9 am – 2 pm (5 hours)Who: Youth, 12 – 18 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Marcus Dénommé – Printmaker + Ruby Creighton – Multi-disciplinary ArtistWhat: Long live the Zine-Machine!  Drawing from the wealth of knowledge provided by bookmaking/print media artists Ruby Creighton and Marcus Dénommé, students will learn about this rich history and art of DIY zine making. Using low-tech household tools and materials such as the flatbed scanner and photocopier, the class will cover the creative and accessible ways to book bind, collage, relief print, and ultimately participate in an artwork exchange amongst the group.Fee: $245 + $20 material feeTOTAL $265REGISTERROCK / PAPER / SCISSORSIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 5 classes: May 27 – June 24, 2024 // Mondays, 4:15 pm – 5.45 pmWho: Youth, 11 – 14 yrsWith: 2 artist instructors: Brian Lye – Filmmaker + Rayya Liebich – Poet & WriterWhat: Join filmmaker Brian Lye and poet Rayya Liebich on a multidisciplinary adventure to create a stop-motion animation film using an altered book as a springboard for story.  Rayya will demonstrate how to write blackout poems, create book folds, and use decoupage techniques inside a hardcover book.  Brian will then show you how to bring objects, words, and drawings to life using stop-motion animation. The culminating project will be a short movie of your chosen figurine/narrator literally jumping out of your book to tell a story through voice, image, and fun filming techniques.  Come ready to learn, explore, and be amazed!Fee:  $120 (All materials included)REGISTERWORM / HOLEIN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTREWhen: 4 classes: May 24 – June 14, 2024 // Fridays, 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm (2 hours)Who: Youth, 15 – 18 yrsWith: 3 artist instructors: Catherine McIntosh – Visual Artist + Myra Rasmussen – Multi-disciplinary Artist + Marcus Dénommé – PrintmakerWhat: Join artists Myra Rasmussen, Marcus Dénommé, and Catherine McIntosh to learn all things printmaking. Students will have the chance to experience a variety of printmaking techniques including lino printing, screenprinting, and intaglio printing methods (drypoint & tetra-pack printing). Whether you have never done any printmaking or are interested in developing your skills further, this class will be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to further your artistic journey.Fee:  $120 (All materials included)REGISTERCreative Time – For New Parents IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE When: 5 classes: May 24 – June 14 / Tuesdays, 10 am – 12 noon (2 hours) Who: New Parents + Parents-to-be These classes are designed for the 6 month period before and after having your little one. With: Artist, educator & mom Natasha Smith What: Join other new parents and pregnant folk for creative time at Oxygen Art Centre. These inclusive, supportive, and fun sessions provide time to draw, collage, and write specific for pre- and post-partum bodies and children. Involving yourself in such mindful practices can be valuable for new parents (to be). No experience is necessary; just a desire to make time for creativity. Each week we will explore different techniques through thoughtful prompts for you and your baby to share creative practice. Fee: $100 (All materials included)REGISTERADULT EDUCATIONPart 2 of Oxygen’s Spring 2024 semester is now open for registration! Offered from May to June, reserve your spot to learn a new technique or advance an existing one, take part in life drawing sessions and critical discourse, and get creative with our incredible professional artist instructors and fellow students across screen printing, digital photography, performance, drawing, and everything in between! Course offerings available both in-person and online. To register, visit Oxygen’s website to access extended details and Google Form links for each course. Payment can be made via e-transfer, credit card, PayPal, and cheque. Contact Natasha Smith (Education Coordinator) via education@oxygenartcentre.org with any questions about the courses or how to apply. Interested in supporting Oxygen’s Education program? Consider making a donation to the Education subsidies fund today! This fund helps maintain low class fees and professional instructor wages. Plus, donations over $50 receive a charitable tax receipt!DONATEFigure Drawing #2  (no instruction) IN PERSON 4 Classes: May 27, June 3, 10, 17 Mondays: 6:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $48 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERMagic of Memory 1 with Rayya Liebich ONLINE 4 Classes: May 8, 15, 22, 29 Wednesdays: 6:30 – 8:30 pm TOTAL FEE: $105 Registration Deadline: May 1REGISTERArt Speak – Peer to Peer Work Sharing #2 Facilitated by Emilie Leblanc Kromberg IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20 Thursdays: 5 – 6:45pm TOTAL FEE: $60 Registration Deadline: May 16REGISTERDigital Photography – Getting Weird with Louis Bockner IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 1 & 2 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 2pm TOTAL FEE: $140 Registration Deadline: May 24REGISTERPainting from a Model #2 (No Instruction) IN PERSON 1 Class: June 16 Sunday: 1 – 5 pm TOTAL FEE: $40 Registration Deadline: June 7REGISTERNature Still Life Coordinated by Keiko Lee-Hem IN PERSON 1 Class: May 11 Saturday: 11am – 1pm TOTAL FEE: $25 Registration Deadline: May 3REGISTERBeginner Painting: An Introduction to Colour (Part 2) with Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18 Tuesdays: 5:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $280 Registration Deadline: May 14REGISTERDream Journaling with Rose Nielsen IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19 Wednesdays: 6 – 8pm  TOTAL FEE: $160 Registration Deadline: May 13REGISTERBeginner Drawing with Catherine McIntosh IN PERSON 1 Class: May 26 Sunday: 10am – 3pm TOTAL FEE: $105 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERDIY 16mm Film Processing + Intro to Bolex Camera with Brian Lye IN PERSON 1 Class: June 9 Sunday: 10am – 4pm TOTAL FEE: $130 Registration Deadline: May 31REGISTERThe Lab with Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 22 & 23 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 3:30pm TOTAL FEE: $200 Registration Deadline: June 14REGISTERLEARN MOREO2 EXHIBITIONOxygen Art Centre’s fourth exhibition in the window project entitled O2, features new artwork by Tracy Fillion is now on view from 5 April to 5 June 2024.  Located on the Stanley Avenue side of the Nelson Trading Company building (430 Baker Street) in downtown Nelson, B.C., O2 is a window-turned-gallery.  The new artwork by Fillion includes embroidered excerpts from a poem by Mary Oliver, “Invitation” (2009). For the artist, the words remind her to be present, look at the sky, appreciate the plants, listen for birds and bugs, and to seek laughter.This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.LEARN MORE

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F O R   I M M E D I A T E   R E L E A S E 

Growing opportunities to be creative at Oxygen!

New programs for youth and new parents (to be) now open for registration.

Oxygen Art Centre’s second semester features new youth programming. Take advantage of a day at home from school with the Pop! Up! PD day class on portraiture on May 27 and for Wildflower and Homelinks students, join us for ARTful Fridays, a new daytime program to get creative and learn artistic techniques.

Check out Oxygen’s regular after-school programming continues this semester with WORM /HOLE and ROCK /PAPER /SCISSORS where youth engage in contemporary art processes encourage risk taking and exploration and offer the opportunity to receive mentorship from local professional artists on the mediums of stop motion animation and printmaking.

This July Oxygen launches its first ever Youth Art Retreat at The Narrows. Five young people will work with professional artists and educators Dr. Michelle Jack (Artist /Educator and sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) person) and Tracie Stewart where they will spend time outdoors exploring land-based practices and knowledges. Spaces are limited to five regional youth for this exciting opportunity.

New parents and pregnant folk are invited to come together for Creative Time classes at Oxygen Art Centre. These inclusive, supportive, and fun sessions will provide time to draw, collage, and write. To engage in such mindful practices can be valuable for new parents (to be). No experience is necessary; just a desire to make time for creativity with your new or new-to-be child.

In addition to these new offerings, Oxygen’s spring semester includes its regular adult art classes. Learn the fundamentals of drawing and painting, 16mm low-tech film processing, discover the meaning of your dreams through a Jungian approach to dream journaling or experiment with long and multiple exposure photographic techniques with Louis Bockner. There’s something for everyone and at all stages in their artistic practices.

To register and to learn more about the semesters, classes, and instructors, visit Oxygen’s website. Registration occurs through Google Forms on a first-come, first-serve basis. Class sizes are small, ranging from seven to twelve students in each.

Registration for Oxygen’s 2024 education program is now launched and will remain open until classes are full. Some courses have limited capacity so don’t wait to register! Contact Oxygen’s Education Coordinator, Natasha Smith at education@oxygenartcentre.org with any questions.

For more information on courses, Oxygen Gift Certificates, and to register: www.oxygenartcentre.org,  education@oxygenartcentre.org.

Photo Cutline: 16mm Film Processing with Brian Lye, Fall semester, 2023

Press Contact: Natasha Smith, education@oxygenartcentre.org

Natasha Smith (she/her)

Education Coordinator/ oxygen art centre

education@oxygenartcentre.org

www.oxygenartcentre.org

#3 – 320 Vernon St. Alley Entrance.

Nelson, British Columbia

Oxygen Art Centre acknowledges with gratitude that we are located on the tum xula7xw/ traditional territory of the sn̓ʕay̓ckstx/the Sinixt People. As uninvited guests we honour their ongoing presence on this land. We recognize that the Sylix, Ktuxana, and Yaqan Nukij Lower Kootenay Band peoples are also connected with this land, as are Métis and many diverse Indigenous persons.

₊˚.༄Youth Art Retreat + Spring Classes now open for registration

AUTHOR READING SERIESSaturday, April 13, 2024, at 1:00 PM PST (Zoom) Alicia Elliott + Brandi Bird + introducing Morrigan Bonegardener Free! Register to attend (Zoom) Oxygen Art Centre presents acclaimed writer Alicia Elliott (Mohawk) and poet Brandi Bird (Saulteaux, Cree and Métis) with emerging writer Morrigan Bonegardener from the Selkirk College Creative Writing program for the first event in the Author Reading Series. The online event will feature readings by all three authors, as well as a short question and answer period at the event. Free to attend. Registration required.REGISTERLEARN MOREYOUTH ART RETREATWho: Youth (15 – 18 yrs.) When: July 2, 2024 + July 3 – 5, 2024  Where: The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) With: Dr. Michelle Jack + Tracie Stewart via Oxygen Art Centre What: Art, land-based practices FEE: $125 (via Google form) Deadline to apply: MAY 17, 2024 at 5PM PSTExplore connections with self, water, and land during a three-day, two-night retreat at The Narrows Art Retreat (Nelson, B.C.) from July 3 – 5, 2024. Dr. Michelle Jack, an Artist /Educator and sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) person, with Tracie Stewart, an artist, naturalist, arborist, and creative from Terrace, with Scottish/ Doukhobor background, invite you to join them at The Narrows Youth Art Retreat as they share techniques in building with natural materials.  Together we will reference the land while making prayer flags to respect all the timxʷ (all living things), the təmúlaʔxʷ (earth/mother), siwɬkʷ (water), and kʷl’ncútən (creator). We will then reference ourselves and our journey in life as we work in a team to build one functional boat and individual vessels. When creating work, sustainability has to be considered in every sense. We will encourage youth to explore these concepts from their own personal backgrounds. Participants can expect to engage in a daily sketching practice to document our experiences as we learn about ourselves, the water, and the lands around us in this immersive experience. Participants will travel by boat to The Narrows Art Retreat to share this retreat experience with four other youth between the ages of 15-18 years old. Oxygen’s Education Coordinator Natasha Smith will be on site to support throughout. Together we will share accommodation, meals, and learning for three-days, two-nights in July 2024. Before the retreat itself, everyone will meet at Oxygen Art Centre for an orientation on July 2, 2024, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.  All food, accommodation, art materials, and transportation to and from the retreat centre are included. This program is generously supported by Cowan’s Office Supplies Ltd., Valhalla Pure Outfitters, the Narrows Art Retreat, and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. LEARN MOREREGISTERADULT EDUCATIONPart 2 of Oxygen’s Spring 2024 semester is now open for registration! Offered from May to June, reserve your spot to learn a new technique or advance an existing one, take part in life drawing sessions and critical discourse, and get creative with our incredible professional artist instructors and fellow students across screen printing, digital photography, performance, drawing, and everything in between! Course offerings available both in-person and online. To register, visit Oxygen’s website to access extended details and Google Form links for each course. Payment can be made via e-transfer, credit card, PayPal, and cheque. Contact Natasha Smith (Education Coordinator) via education@oxygenartcentre.org with any questions about the courses or how to apply. Interested in supporting Oxygen’s Education program? Consider making a donation to the Education subsidies fund today! This fund helps maintain low class fees and professional instructor wages. Plus, donations over $50 receive a charitable tax receipt!DONATELino Printing in Colour – Reduction Technique with Myra Rasmussen IN PERSON 1 Class: April 27 *new date* Saturday: 10am – 4pm TOTAL FEE: $125 Registration Deadline: April 19REGISTERFigure Drawing #2  (no instruction) IN PERSON 4 Classes: May 27, June 3, 10, 17 Mondays: 6:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $48 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERMagic of Memory 1 with Rayya Liebich ONLINE 4 Classes: May 8, 15, 22, 29 Wednesdays: 6:30 – 8:30 pm TOTAL FEE: $105 Registration Deadline: May 1REGISTERArt Speak – Peer to Peer Work Sharing #2 Facilitated by Emilie Leblanc Kromberg IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20 Thursdays: 5 – 6:45pm TOTAL FEE: $60 Registration Deadline: May 16REGISTERDigital Photography – Getting Weird with Louis Bockner IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 1 & 2 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 2pm TOTAL FEE: $140 Registration Deadline: May 24REGISTERPainting from a Model #2 (No Instruction) IN PERSON 1 Class: June 16 Sunday: 1 – 5 pm TOTAL FEE: $40 Registration Deadline: June 7REGISTERNature Still Life Coordinated by Keiko Lee-Hem IN PERSON 1 Class: May 11 Saturday: 11am – 1pm TOTAL FEE: $25 Registration Deadline: May 3REGISTER NEW! Figure Drawing #1.5 (no instruction) IN PERSON 4 Classes: April 8, 15, 22, 29 Mondays: 6:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $48 Registration Deadline: April 1REGISTERBeginner Painting: An Introduction to Colour (Part 2) with Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18 Tuesdays: 5:30 – 8:30pm TOTAL FEE: $280 Registration Deadline: May 14REGISTERDream Journaling with Rose Nielsen IN PERSON 5 Classes: May 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19 Wednesdays: 6 – 8pm  TOTAL FEE: $160 Registration Deadline: May 13REGISTERBeginner Drawing with Catherine McIntosh IN PERSON 1 Class: May 26 Sunday: 10am – 3pm TOTAL FEE: $105 Registration Deadline: May 17REGISTERDIY 16mm Film Processing + Intro to Bolex Camera with Brian Lye IN PERSON 1 Class: June 9 Sunday: 10am – 4pm TOTAL FEE: $130 Registration Deadline: May 31REGISTERThe Lab with Deborah Thompson IN PERSON 2 Classes: June 22 & 23 Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 3:30pm TOTAL FEE: $200 Registration Deadline: June 14REGISTERLEARN MOREO2 EXHIBITIONOxygen Art Centre’s fourth exhibition in the window project entitled O2, features new artwork by Tracy Fillion is now on view from 5 April to 5 June 2024.  Located on the Stanley Avenue side of the Nelson Trading Company building (430 Baker Street) in downtown Nelson, B.C., O2 is a window-turned-gallery.  The new artwork by Fillion includes embroidered excerpts from a poem by Mary Oliver, “Invitation” (2009). For the artist, the words remind her to be present, look at the sky, appreciate the plants, listen for birds and bugs, and to seek laughter.This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.LEARN MORE

AUTHOR READING SERIES PT.2Workshops: Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 10 AM + 1 PM ($50 ea.) Event: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM (Free!) All held at Oxygen’s facility (#3-320 Vernon St., Nelson, BC) Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the second event of 2024’s Author Reading Series featuring Corinna Chong and Matt Rader at an in-person reading event on Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM.This event is free, everyone welcome! No registration is required. The event will feature readings by Chong and Rader, in addition to an emerging writer in the Selkirk College Creative Writing program. A short question and answer period will close the event. While visiting Nelson, Chong and Rader will offer two writing workshops on Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 10 AM + 1 PM at Oxygen’s facility. Registration required in advance. Spaces limited.Writing Against Perfectionism, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Revision w/Corinna Chong IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE 1 Class: May 2, 2024 Thursday: 10am – 12pm Fee: $50 Registration Deadline: April 25, 2024REGISTERPraise, Gratitude, & Loss: Writing Odes & Elegies in an Age of Crisis w/Matt Rader IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE 1 Class: May 2, 2024 Thursday: 1pm – 3pm Fee: $50 Registration Deadline: April 25, 2024REGISTER

OXYGEN TO WELCOME CORINNA CHONG AND MATT RADER IN WORKSHOPS AND READING

Author Reading Series: 
Workshops: Thursday, May 2, 2024 @ 10 AM + 1 PM ($50 ea.)
Event: Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM (Free!)
All held at Oxygen’s facility (#3-320 Vernon St., Nelson, BC)

Workshop #1

Writing Against Perfectionism, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Revision w/Corinna Chong
IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE
1 Class: May 2, 2024
Thursday: 10am – 12pm
Fee: $50
Register here!
Registration Deadline: April 25, 2024

Workshop #2

Praise, Gratitude, & Loss: Writing Odes & Elegies in an Age of Crisis w/Matt Rader
IN PERSON @ OXYGEN ART CENTRE
1 Class: May 2, 2024
Thursday: 1pm – 3pm
Fee: $50
Register here!
Registration Deadline: April 25, 2024

Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the second event of 2024’s Author Reading Series featuring Corinna Chong and Matt Rader at an in-person reading event on Friday, May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM. This event is free, everyone welcome! No registration is required.

The event will feature readings by the Kelowna-based authors, in addition to an emerging writer in the Selkirk College Creative Writing program. A short question and answer period will close the event.

While visiting Nelson, Chong and Rader will offer two writing workshops on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at Oxygen’s downtown Nelson facility on the topics of revision and writing odes and elegies. Spaces are limited for the workshops. Registration and a $50.00 fee is required to attend.

Learn more about this event and the Author Reading Series by visiting Oxygen’s website.

This program is generously supported by the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

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Image Credit: (L) Corinna Chong, (R) Matt Rader, Courtesy the Artists, 2023.

Press Contact:

Julia Prudhomme

Executive Director

Oxygen Art Centre

info@oxygenartcentre.org

About the Authors:

Corinna Chong‘s first novel, Belinda’s Rings, was published by NeWest Press in 2013, and her reviews and short fiction have appeared in magazines across Canada. The Whole Animal, a collection of short stories, was published by Arsenal Pulp Press in 2023, and includes “Kids in Kindergarten,” which won the 2021 CBC Short Story Prize, and “Love/Cream/Heat,” which was selected for The Best Canadian Stories 2024, published by Biblioasis. Bad Land, her second novel, will be released in Fall 2024 with Arsenal Pulp Press. Corinna lives in Kelowna, BC and teaches English, creative writing, and fine arts at Okanagan College.

Matt Rader is an award-winning author of six volumes of poetry, a collection of stories and a book of nonfiction. His most recent collection is Fine (2024). His previous book of poems, Ghosthawk (2021), was shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize. He teaches Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and lives in Kelowna, BC.

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info@oxygenartcentre.org

www.oxygenartcentre.org

#3 – 320 Vernon St. Alley Entrance

Nelson, British Columbia , V1L 4E4

Oxygen Art Centre acknowledges with gratitude that we are located on the tum xula7xw/ traditional territory of the sn̓ʕay̓ckstx/the Sinixt People. As uninvited guests we honour their ongoing presence on this land. We recognize that the Sylix, Ktuxana, and Yaqan Nukij Lower Kootenay Band peoples are also connected with this land, as are Métis and many diverse Indigenous persons.