The Penticton Art Gallery ran this article in their latest newsletter.
Peachland Making Waves Mural Festival
The Peachland ‘Making Waves’ Mural Festival is a new festival in the Okanagan. Taking place on the Labour Day Long weekend (September 2 – 4, 2022) in Peachland, ‘Making Waves’ has a vision to develop a strong base of evocative public mural art for added impact and activation in the community, and to create an additional year-round visitor attraction that compliments the natural scenes and vistas, strengthens community-building, weaves reconciliation into the fabric of the community, and to build additional tourism opportunities in Peachland.
The ultimate goal is to create a year-round, open-air public art gallery that will provide Peachland residents and visitors with an ever-changing, uplifting visual experience; that will delight visitors as they take in the lake view, the beaches, and all the other amenities Peachland provides. The Peachland murals will create a visual experience tailored for all ages and cultures, while elevating the current visitor offerings.
Murals created in 2022 will be contemporary expressions of Peachland themes noted below and embody the unique interpretations of the individual artists. As we go forward in 2022 and beyond, the festival committee will curate art of diverse styles, from a variety of artists – both local and global, from abstracts to 3D anamorphic works, that will have a positive emotional impact on the viewer, and that will enhance the “ambiance” of our community.
To ensure that all styles of art are represented, and that there are connections between the works, and Peachland’s “vibe”, we have identified some unifying themes. This will help direct artists and guide the process.
THEMES:
Nature, Wilderness, Water, Plants & Animals native to our region
Orchards, fruit and vineyards
Indigenous Heritage, Beliefs and Traditions (with the assistance of Indigenous artists)
Neighbours, Community, Connections
Awe, Wonder, Gratitude, fun
Along with the creation of murals, ‘Making Waves’ is a celebration of public art and community. Musicians, entertainers, street artists, and participatory and interactive art events will take place over the weekend. Young children will have a blast creating art at the Kids’ Chalk Walk, while others may take in a live painting session with one of the mural artists. There are opportunities for artists to sell their works at the artisan market and artists are welcome to participate in live painting, drawing, creation workshops. A variety of musicians and dances round out the daylight entertainment, while local businesses provide dining and imbibing experiences with music and live performances during the evening.
Confirmed mural artists to date are Sheldon Louis from Vernon BC, and Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann (aka LALA) of Vancouver and Edmonton. Please watch our social media and website for more artist announcements, and a full schedule of events.
As a celebration of public art, most events will take place outside in Peachland’s amazing historical downtown district rain or shine!
Interested artists, performers, and artisans please contact us for more information.
peachlandmakingwaves.com
peachlandmakingwaves@gmail.com
Four Murals and an Interactive mural experience