The 2nd Annual Oxygen Art Market will take place on May 25, 26, 27, 2012
Hours:
Friday 7-10pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.
(Press Release:) Almost 40 Kootenay artists will take part in the Oxygen Art Market this year. Last year’s event was a huge success, with an estimated 500 attendees.
Brent Bukowski, Alf Crossley, Natasha Smith, Dylan Humphries, Brian Cullen, Jim Lawrence, Deb Thompson, Anita Levesque, Bradley Smith, Arin Fary, Kiera Zaslove, Rachel Yoder, Sally Johnson, Boujke Elzinga, Diana Robles, Erica Konrad, Ian Johnston, Carol Reynolds, Jan Formby, Amber Santos, Tanya Pixie Johnston, John Cooper, Kathleen Pemberton, Sergio Santos, Chuck Stake AKA Don Mabie, Marilyn McCombe, Louis Bockner, Bridget Corkery, Sue Parr, Deb Borsos, Maria Sandner, Rielle Oswald, Chelsey Fretyta, Krista Lynch, Karen Guilbault, Heather MacAskill, Susan Andrews Grace, Lainey Benson
The Art Market has quickly become an important fundraiser for the Oxygen Art Centre. The event was developed in response to a greater need for fundraising to keep the Oxygen’s doors open. Like many artist-run centres and community organizations across the province, Oxygen has been hit hard in recent years by cuts to BC Gaming Grants.
While many organizations have been forced to close their doors, Oxygen has continued to survive in the face of adversity.
“We’ve got a skeleton staff now. We are here because of the work of our committed volunteers, the love and support of the community, and of our sponsors and funders,” says Miriam Needoba, coordinator of the Art Market.
Last year, approximately $9000 in art was sold on a 50/50 split between Oxygen Art Centre and local artists.
“Our art community benefited on every level,” says Needoba. “All sorts of people went home with original, locally-produced art work for their homes or offices, or as gifts for their friends and family. Some of them got great deals!”
Last year the volunteer Art Market crew hung hundreds of paintings, prints and photographs submitted by established and emerging Kootenay artists, who were invited to participate in the event. Many of the artists had previously been involved with Oxygen Art Centre throughout the years.
Oxygen’s mandate is to provide a centre for the community to engage in art, literary, film and performance activities through classes, exhibitions, events and performances.
This includes work with local, national and international artists, exhibition and teaching opportunities for professional artists, as well as training for emerging artists and members of the public interested in art.
Last year, approximately 153 students and 2563 audience members took part in Oxygen exhibitions, events and classes. In 2011, volunteers contributed over 734 hours of their time to the centre.
Oxygen Art Centre is located at 320 Vernon St in Nelson (back alley entrance).
This event is sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust.
