Art show supports mental health

Local artists were hanging close to 100 works at a West Kelowna winery Friday to support mental health.

The Central Okanagan Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, has teamed up with the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna for the Almost Spring Gallery display, which launched Saturday at Grizzli Winery.

“COVID aside, February can be a difficult month,” said Jaxon Jurome, president of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Central Okanagan Chapter.

“It’s a little sunshine to brighten up the year,” said Breanna Nathorst of Grizzli Winery.

The artists will be donating 10% of each work sold to Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, which provides programs that promote positive mental health and support

recovery. As well, the group raffled off member Kit Bell’s Here We Stand, a framed 24- by 18-inch framed acrylic on canvas, with all proceeds going to CMHA Kelowna.

“As artists we are in such a unique position,” said Jurome. “We are able to create our own positivity with a stroke of the brush.

“Our goal is to inspire others to create that positivity whether it’s through art, music or dance.”

Jurome used a happy childhood memory to create Belgo Pond, which is on display.

Using a reference photo, he brought positive feelings and energy to the canvas and into his life as well as the life of someone else.

“Creativity can give us so much for our mental health,” said Jurome. “It’s a great challenge, it can provide us peace, happiness, joy and creates innovation, something that defines us as human and something that has always been so valuable for our society.”

The display will be at Grizzli Winery until March 31. The works can also be seen online at centralokanaganfca.com.

BARB AGUIAR/Special to The Daily Courier Denise Reichert, chair of the Almost Spring Gallery display, straightens Dancing Droplets, an acrylic and oil on panel by James Postill, which won best in show. Members of the Kelowna Chapter of the Federated Artists of Canada are hosting a display at West Kelowna’s Grizzli Winery with 10% of the sales proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Heath Association Kelowna. The show continues until March 31.

BARB AGUIAR/Special to The Daily Courier Jaxon Jurome, president of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Okanagan chapter, shows off Here We Stand, a framed 24-by 18-inch acrylic on canvas painted by Kit Bell that was raffled off on Saturday.