Category: Oxygen Art Centre

FOR   IMMEDIATE   RELEASE: OXYGEN WELCOMES QUEER TEXTILE ARTISTS FOR SUMMER RESIDENCY

Three Way Mirror: Daniel Barrow, Glenn Gear, Paige Gratland

Summer Residency

3 July – 7 August 2026

Oxygen Art Centre excitedly announces their summer residency program with artist collective, Three Way Mirror, from July 3, 2026, to August 7, 2026. Three Way Mirror is composed of artists Daniel Barrow (QC), Glenn Gear (QC), and Paige Gratland (BC).

The artists visit Nelson from Montréal and Vancouver for a six-week residency where they will develop their textile practices individually and collectively in what they call a craft ‘triangle’.

For artists who belong to a social group that has often been marginalized, it is unsurprising that they are drawn to similarly marginalized crafts, art forms that link the personal and the political.

Traditionally, a craft circle is a non-competitive circle of production where artists can create work and act on their concern for social justice. Three Way Mirror embraces this concept through a craft triangle where the artists create an intersectional queer space for textiles production and dialogue.

The public are invited to attend two informal open studio events during the residency period to engage with the artists and encounter works-in-progress. Open studio events are scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, and Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Admission is free. Everyone welcome to attend.

The residency will consider how traditional crafts can convey queer stories and community, and how queer signifiers and strategies can express intersectional identities through conceptual craft-based practices.

For each artist this has been a natural progression, resulting in the production of woven ueer colourways (Gratland), glitter-bombs sealskins (Gear) and paper-doll poems (Barrow).

The artist collective Three Way Mirror will be in residence at Oxygen Art Centre from July 3, 2026, to August 7, 2026.  The gallery will be open to the public for two Open Studio events on Saturday, July 18, 2026, and Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Admission is free. 

This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the BC Arts Council, the Vancouver Foundation, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program. Special thanks to Dara van der Meulen for their support as Residency Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs) and Kenton Doupe for their support as Gallery Preparator and Photographer.

Oxygen Art Centre is located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street in Nelson, British Columbia. More information about how to access the facility can be found on Oxygen’s website or by contacting info@oxygenartcentre.org.

Image Credit (above): Daniel Barrow (left), Glenn Gear (centre), Paige Gratland (right); Artist portraits, Courtesy the Artists; 2026.

Image Credit (below): Glenn Gear, Ivaluk Ullugiallu (Sinew & Stars), 2023, mural on walls, red braided cord, video projection, sound, The Rooms, St. John’s, NL

Artist Biographies:

Daniel Barrow is a genderfluid, Tiohtià:ke / Montreal-based storyteller/artist/filmmaker who has employed parallel strategies in their approach to the tradition of paper dolls – inventing “narrative architectures” and “paper doll poems” that grapple with the dollhouse/paper doll.   

Glenn Gear is an Indigiqueer filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist of mixed Inuit heritage currently living in Montréal. He is originally from Corner Brook Newfoundland and has family throughout Nunatsiavut. His practice is grounded in research creation shaped by Inuit and Indigenous ways of knowing – often employing the use of animation, photo archives, painting, beading, and work with traditional materials such as sealskin.

Paige Gratland is a visual artist and filmmaker. Her work is informed by social history and design, producing projects and objects that explore craft practices, intergenerational exchange and queer vernaculars. She learned to weave in 2019 at the Richmond Weavers and Spinners Guild (British Columbia) and is currently enrolled in the Master Weaver Program at Olds College (Alberta). She is currently working on her third documentary about artist and musician Phranc.

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!RAFFLE!, Gr.9 Group Exhibition, Artist Talk, Education, Exhibition + more Donate! Support your artist-run centre !RAFFLE! Important Dates Final ticket sales deadline: June 19, 2026, at 5:00:00 p.m. PT Prize Raffle draw: June 19, 2026, at 7:00:00 p.m. PT Online Raffle link: https://oxygenartcentre.rafflenexus.com/ Oxygen Art Centre’s Fundraising committee announces the launch of a Raffle for the artist-run centre! Starting Friday, May 15, 2026, community members are invited to purchase raffle tickets to be eligible to win six exciting prize packages! To participate, visit the online raffle website, https://oxygenartcentre.rafflenexus.com/, to purchase a Single Ticket for $10, a 3-Ticket Pack for $25, or a 10-Ticket Pack for $50. All proceeds go to Oxygen Art Centre to support ongoing contemporary art programming in Nelson, BC. The Raffle is a great way for folks to support the artist-run centre with an added perk of winning one of six incredible prize packages. All prizes are generously donated by local businesses totalling to 20 incredible prizes. Each prize is bundled into thematic packages, boasting valuations up to $960! Packages serve a variety of interests, including the “Design & Build Prize Package” featuring a 2-hour consultation with Marc Boutin Architect, a 2-hour consultation or work with Bowick Electric, and a $250 gift card toward the Nelson Home Hardware Building Centre. Hit the slopes, climb, row, and explore with this all-season adventure pack—featuring Whitewater lift tickets, climbing, fitness, and outdoor gear for your next Kootenay adventure in the “Adventure Pack”. This package features passes and gift cards to Whitewater Ski Resort, the Cube Climbing Centre, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Nelson Rowing Club, and the Nelson and District Community Centre Gym and Pool.   The “Dream Retreat” includes a three-night stay at the Fibonacci Tiny House and a gift card to L&C French Bakery, and the “Arts All Access” provides full season access to live performances and inspiring exhibitions at The Capitol Theatre and the Nelson Museum Archives and Gallery. Get hands-on creative experience and supplies to spark your next artistic project in the “Maker’s Kit” package towards art classes at Oxygen Art Centre and MUD Ceramics, and a gift card to Cowan’s Office Supplies Ltd. Finally, the “Taste of Nelson” package boasts a delicious selection of local favourites and flavours in the community, including gift cards to Nelson Olive Oil Co., Red Light Ramen Restaurant, Sprout Plant-based Eatery, and Kootenay Co-op Grocery, totalling $338 value. With something for everyone, Oxygen’s Raffle is an exciting opportunity for folks to support their artist-run centre and engage with local businesses by winning one of six exciting prize packages. Raffle ticket sales close on June 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT. The draw will take place at Oxygen Art Centre on June 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM PT. This is the second iteration of Oxygen’s Raffle. The artist-run centre’s first raffle was held last spring and raised over $4,000 for the arts education program. This raffle is coordinated by Oxygen’s amazing volunteer fundraising committee. Thank you to committee members, Emilie Leblanc-Kromberg, Erica Konrad, Allison Morgan, Riya Garg, and Stephanie Ostrander for their dedication and coordination, and to our sponsors for their generosity in making this fundraising campaign possible. Oxygen’s Raffle will be open to the public from May 15, 2026, to June 19, 2026. Participants from British Columbia who are over 19 years of age are invited to participate. This raffle is facilitated under the BC Gaming License no.173723. OUR SPONSORSTICKETS  GR.9 GROUP EXHIBITIONExquisite Audacity Gr.9 Trafalgar Middle School Group Exhibition Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 @ 5:00PM Exhibition on view:Thursday, May 21 – Saturday, May 23, 1-5PMAdmission is freeOxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the group exhibition, Exquisite Audacity, featuring artworks by Sharon Inkpen’s Grade Nine students from Trafalgar Middle School. To be audacious means to be bold — to take risks, challenge yourself, and step beyond what feels safe or familiar. To be exquisite means something deeply beautiful, carefully crafted, and full of meaning. Together, these words capture the spirit of this Grade 9 art cohort and the work they have created. This student group exhibition is a celebration of young artists in our community and takes place during Oxygen’s spring semester. Many thanks to Sharon Inkpen, Art Teacher, for supporting these artists and working with Oxygen Art Centre’s team to make this group exhibition possible. Special thanks to SaveOn Foods and Positive Apparel for their generous support. LEARN MORE  ARTIST TALK Genevieve Robertson Artist Talk Friday, June 5, 2026doors @ 5:45 PM / talk @ 6:00 PM free to attendJoin us on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM for an Artist Talk with Genevieve Robertson. The event is an extension of Robertson’s Fall 2025 residency at the artist-run centre to share the new body of work developed during this time. Genevieve Robertson was artist-in-residence at Oxygen Art Centre from November 12, 2025, to December 20, 2025. Robertson works at the intersection of visual art and environmental studies. Her practice is grounded in drawing and painting, extending to video, installation, and various forms of collective work and collaboration. Through long-term place-based research projects, her work explores anthropogenic impacts on ecology and the climate, and the intelligence and interconnection of the life systems of which we are part. This event is free to attend. Doors open at 5:45PM. The talk begins at 6:00PM and will include a short question and answer period at the conclusion of Robertson’s talk. The Artist Talk will introduce Robertson’s artistic practice, as well as share process-based explorations from her residency and resultant exhibition at the Midlands Art Centre in the UK entitled “Under the Orange Sticks of the Sun,” currently on view this Spring 2026. Robertson is also currently working with Oxygen Art Centre to offer an online mentorship program entitled “Hedge-rider” this Summer to three emerging, remotely located artists.LEARN MORE EDUCATIONLino printing-reduction technique Instructor: Myra Rasmussen Structure: 1 class Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026 Time: 10:00am-4:00pm Fee: $120.00REGISTER Colour & Composition: Bringing Still-Life to Life Instructor:Catherine McIntosh Structure: 1 class Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 Time: 12:30pm to 4:00pm Fee: $100.00 (materials incl)REGISTERCollaging with personal photos Instructor: Melissa Owen Structure: 1 class Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm Fee: $70.00 (materials incl)REGISTERPrintmaking Workshop Instructor:Catherine McIntosh Structure: 4 classes Dates: Thursday, May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 2026 Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm Fee: $190.00 (materials incl)REGISTERArt Speak /part two/ Facilitator:Emilie Leblanc Kromberg Structure: 4 classes Dates: Monday, May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00pm Fee: $65.00Attendance in ArtSpeak part one is *not* required.  REGISTERBe Not Afeared: A Poetry Workshop for Beginners (Online) Instructor: Rayya Liebich Structure: 1 class

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FOR   IMMEDIATE   RELEASE: BUY A RAFFLE TICKET TO SUPPORT OXYGEN ART CENTRE 

Important Dates

Final ticket sales deadline: June 19, 2026, at 5:00:00 p.m. PT
Prize Raffle draw: June 19, 2026, at 7:00:00 p.m. PT
Online Raffle link: https://oxygenartcentre.rafflenexus.com/

Oxygen Art Centre’s Fundraising committee is delighted to announce the launch of a Raffle for the artist-run centre! Starting Friday, May 15, 2026, community members are invited to purchase raffle tickets to be eligible to win six exciting prize packages!

To participate, visit the online raffle website, https://oxygenartcentre.rafflenexus.com/, to purchase a Single Ticket for $10, a 3-Ticket Pack for $25, or a 10-Ticket Pack for $50. All proceeds go to Oxygen Art Centre to support ongoing contemporary art programming in Nelson, BC.

The Raffle is a great way for folks in the community to support the artist-run centre with an added perk of winning one of six incredible prize packages.

All prizes are generously donated by local businesses totalling to 20 incredible prizes. Each prize is bundled into thematic packages, boasting valuations up to $960!

Packages serve a variety of interests, including the “Design & Build Prize Package” featuring a 2-hour consultation with Marc Boutin Architect, a 2-hour consultation or work with Bowick Electric, and a $250 gift card toward the Nelson Home Hardware Building Centre.

Hit the slopes, climb, row, and explore with this all-season adventure pack—featuring Whitewater lift tickets, climbing, fitness, and outdoor gear for your next Kootenay adventure in the “Adventure Pack”. This package features passes and gift cards to Whitewater Ski Resort, the Cube Climbing Centre, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Nelson Rowing Club, and the Nelson and District Community Centre Gym and Pool. 

The “Dream Retreat” includes a three-night stay at the Fibonacci Tiny House and a gift card to L&C French Bakery, and the “Arts All Access” provides full season access to live performances and inspiring exhibitions at The Capitol Theatre and the Nelson Museum Archives and Gallery.

Get hands-on creative experience and supplies to spark your next artistic project in the “Maker’s Kit” package towards art classes at Oxygen Art Centre and MUD Ceramics, and a gift card to Cowan’s Office Supplies Ltd.

Finally, the “Taste of Nelson” package boasts a delicious selection of local favourites and flavours in the community, including gift cards to Nelson Olive Oil Co., Red Light Ramen Restaurant, Sprout Plant-based Eatery, and Kootenay Co-op Grocery, totalling $338 value.

With something for everyone, Oxygen’s Raffle is an exciting opportunity for folks to support their artist-run centre and engage with local businesses by winning one of six exciting prize packages.

Oxygen Art Centre is a nonprofit artist-run centre located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street in Nelson, B.C. Learn more about the raffle, the prizes, the local businesses, and your artist-run centre by visiting Oxygen’s website or directly via the Raffle Nexus link.

Oxygen Art Centre was founded as the Nelson Fine Arts Centre Society in 2002 by former writing and visual arts faculty at the Kootenay School of the Arts. The centre spent its first two years establishing its educational focus and in January 2005, the society opened the Oxygen Art Centre in downtown Nelson.

“Oxygen” was adopted as the artist-run centre name to underscore how essential the arts are in our lives and our communities and has come to form the organization’s ethos as a creative hub for contemporary art in the region.

Raffle ticket sales close on June 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM PT. The draw will take place at Oxygen Art Centre on June 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM PT. This is the second iteration of Oxygen’s Raffle. The artist-run centre’s first raffle was held last spring and raised over $4,000 for the arts education program.

The winning ticket is drawn using Random Number Generator software (RNG). All ticket holders are welcome to attend the draw. Winners will be posted online at the Raffle Nexus webpage on June 21, 2026.

This raffle is coordinated by Oxygen’s amazing volunteer fundraising committee. Thank you to committee members, Emilie Leblanc-Kromberg, Erica Konrad, Allison Morgan, Riya Garg, and Stephanie Ostrander for their dedication and coordination, and to our sponsors for their generosity in making this fundraising campaign possible.

Oxygen’s Raffle will be open to the public from May 15, 2026, to June 19, 2026. Participants from British Columbia who are over 19 years of age are invited to participate. This raffle is facilitated under the BC Gaming License no.173723.

Image Credit: Marcus Dénommé, screen printing set-up for workshop at Oxygen Art Centre, 2025

Press Contact:

Julia Prudhomme

Executive Director

Oxygen Art Centre

info@oxygenartcentre.org

TRAFALGAR GRADE NINE STUDENT GROUP EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT OXYGEN ART CENTRE

Exquisite Audacity

Group Exhibition

Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Exhibition: May 20, 2026 – May 23, 2026

Exhibition on view:

Thursday, May 21, 2026, to Saturday, May 23, 2026

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Admission is free

Oxygen Art Centre is delighted to present the group exhibition, Exquisite Audacity, featuring artworks by Sharon Inkpen’s Grade Nine students from Trafalgar Middle School.

The exhibition opens with a public reception on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The artists will be in attendance. Light refreshments provided with thanks to SaveOn Foods for their generous support.

To be audacious means to be bold — to take risks, challenge yourself, and step beyond what feels safe or familiar. To be exquisite means something deeply beautiful, carefully crafted, and full of meaning. Together, these words capture the spirit of this Grade 9 art cohort and the work they have created.

Throughout this year, these artists demonstrated exquisite audacity through their willingness to experiment, push their technical skills, and explore new ways of visually communicating ideas and emotions. They embraced uncertainty and creative risk-taking, trying unfamiliar materials, techniques, and perspectives even when success was not guaranteed. In doing so, they discovered that growth in art often begins where comfort ends.

The courage shown in this exhibition goes beyond technique. Each artwork represents a moment of vulnerability — a decision to share something personal, meaningful, or joyful with others. Whether through colour, symbolism, composition, or subject matter, these students allowed themselves to communicate honestly and creatively. That bravery is what makes this collection so powerful.

There is something truly exquisite about audacity: the beauty that emerges when people trust themselves enough to create boldly. This exhibition celebrates not only the finished artworks, but also the resilience, imagination, and confidence developed along the way. Exquisite Audacity is a reflection of young artists learning that taking creative risks can lead to unexpected beauty, pride, and self-discovery.

This student group exhibition is a celebration of young artists in our community and takes place during Oxygen’s spring semester.

Many thanks to Sharon Inkpen, Art Teacher, for supporting these artists and working with Oxygen Art Centre’s team to make this group exhibition possible.

On behalf of Sharon Inkpen and the artists included in this exhibition, we extend gratitude to Positive Apparel Thrift Store for their generous donations over the years, including records, CDs, teacups, magazines, books, and clothing that our students were able to experiment with and transform into found object artworks and creative canvases.

Many thanks to Save-On-Foods for generously providing food for our opening night and helping make the event welcoming and memorable for everyone who attended.

Exquisite Audacity will be on view from Thursday, May 21, 2026, to Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at the artist-run centre’s downtown facility. Admission is free.

The public are invited to celebrate the exhibition at the opening reception on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 5:00pm at Oxygen Art Centre’s downtown facility, #3-320 Vernon Street, Nelson, B.C.

Image Credit: Artwork created by the Grade Nine Trafalgar Middle School Art Class for this Group Exhibition, 2026

Press Contact:

Julia Prudhomme

Executive Director

Oxygen Art Centreinfo@oxygenartcentre.org—

SUMMER STUDENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT OXYGEN ART CENTRE

Oxygen Art Centre is currently looking for a candidate to fulfil one (1) summer employment opportunity: Residency Coordinator (In-person, CSJ).

This summer employment opportunity is generously supported by the Canada Summer Jobs program.

To apply, email a Cover Letter and Resume to info@oxygenartcentre.org with the subject line: “ATTN: Residency Coordinator Application.” Please include confirmation of your Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) eligibility in the Cover Letter and email.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 12AM Midnight PT.

The Residency Coordinator position will be employed over a 9-week period from June 8, 2026, to August 8, 2026.

Reporting to Oxygen’s Executive Director, the Residency Coordinator (CSJ) will assist with day-to-day arts administrative duties with focus supporting the Summer 2026 Residency with textile artists Paige Gratland, Glenn Gear, and Daniel Barrow (July 1 – August 8, 2026), as well as conduct contemporary art research to support the Exhibition & Residency program and assist with the research and production of exhibition catalogues, exhibitions, residencies, and adjunct educational materials.

A typical work week for this position is Tuesday-Saturday at approximately 6 hours per day, 30 hours per week. The employee will develop a flexible work schedule to support public programming including some evenings and weekends. This position includes working with artists, the public, and independently.

The Residency Coordinator’s work will primarily be conducted on site at the centre’s downtown Nelson facility. Research and administrative work will be conducted remotely. The Residency Coordinator will have access to a laptop, software, and technology to support this flexible work arrangement. The Residency Coordinator (CSJ) will develop a work plan and schedule specific to the candidate’s interests and goals with the Executive Director during the Orientation period (June 8-10, 2026).

This position is funded by Canada Summer Jobs. Additional administration through the CSJ portal will be required at the beginning and end of the employment contract. Candidates are required to state their eligibility for the CSJ program in their Cover Letter and email.

Oxygen Art Centre is a rural artist-run centre operating on tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the Sn̓ʕaýckstx (Sinixt), Syilx and Ktunaxa Nations colonially known as the West Kootenay in the southeastern interior region of British Columbia, Canada, in the city of Nelson.

Oxygen Art Centre’s activities include the Exhibition & Residency Program and the Education program. Oxygen is unique in its structure and provides vital arts and cultural programming. We are currently looking for a Residency Coordinator to add to our dynamic team.

The centre’s facility is located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street in Nelson, British Columbia. More information about the organization can be found on Oxygen’s website or by contacting info@oxygenartcentre.org.

Oxygen Art Centre will accept applications to the Residency Coordinator (CSJ) summer employment opportunity until Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Applications are to include a Cover Letter and Resume. Please review the qualifications and scope of the position on Oxygen’s website.

Image Credit: documentation from Summer 2024 artist-in-residence Chris Dufour’s plant dying workshop, 2024; Oxygen Art Centre

Press Contact:

Julia Prudhomme

Executive Director

Oxygen Art Centre

info@oxygenartcentre.org—

Julia Prudhomme (she/her)

Executive Director / oxygen art centre

My regular office hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00am – 2:00pm PT. Responses will be slow outside of this window. 

info@oxygenartcentre.org

www.oxygenartcentre.org

#3 – 320 Vernon St. Alley Entrance

Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4

Oxygen Art Centre is is an artist-run centre located on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the Sn̓ʕaýckstx (Sinixt), Syilx and Ktunaxa Nations colonially known as the West Kootenay in the southeastern interior region of British Columbia, Canada.

We strive to listen, learn and grow respectful relationships with all those who have deep connections with this land and its waterways, including Métis and many diverse Indigenous persons. We honour their ongoing presence as stewards and carriers of knowledge.

We make this statement to recognize our privilege as uninvited guests and to reflect on our own connections to this place. Our responsibility as an artist-run centre is to uplift voices of justice, move at the speed of trust, and deepen understanding and relationships.

We are grateful for the financial support we receive from the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, Province of BC, Government of Canada, Vancouver Foundation, Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Columbia Basin Trust, Regional District of Central Kootenay’s ReDi program, Osprey Community Foundation, United Way, Nelson Lions Club, and Nelson and District Credit Union.

We offer thanks to the Polka Dot Dragon Festival, the Elephant Mountain Literary Festival and other key partners including Hall Printing, Speedpro Signs, and Selkirk College for their support.

We especially thank our collaborators, volunteers, donors, and members.