Airport

Call To Artists

Airport FAQ

YLW Shops & Services

Terminal Map

Spirit of the Okanagan
(Showcasing Okanagan Valley Artists)

  In 2017, over 1.89 million people traveled through the Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Their impressions of the Okanagan Valley (and perhaps even Canada) continue to be influenced by the departure lounge they find themselves in.

  It is here that Suk'ʷtəmsqilxʷ West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC) has partnered jointly with YLW and Skyway Gourmet Ventures to offer Spirit of the Okanagan. This Art Kiosk, featuring over twenty annually juried artists, showcases a breadth of original sculpture, jewelry, First Nations artwork, landscapes and contemporary pieces that celebrate the beauty, values and culture of the Okanagan. It is located in the departure lounge, after Security, surrounded by cafes, shops, a wine cellar and gift shop.

  “We’re very happy to support this program as it creates a unique sense of place for our passengers,” said John Devitt, YLW’s Manager of Business Development and Community Relations. “With nearly 2,500 travelers through the departure lounge every day, it’s also a great opportunity for local artists to gain exposure.

  The YLW Art Kiosk is made possible by the dedicated work of SWAC Volunteers. Curators Kerry Rawlinson and Irene Scott see it as an opportunity to buy local, Okanagan-themed art for the memories, a place to enjoy beauty, or even just a quiet place to relax out of the traveling crowd.

Submissions

  The annual callout to Thompson Okanagan Artists to have the opportunity for a presence at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) opens 1st November, and runs to 30th November.

  All artists residing in the Thompson Okanagan area, from Kamloops to Osoyoos, are welcome to submit their work to be juried for exhibition in the Art Kiosk of the YLW departures lounge.

  Please click on “Call to Artists” for further information.

Submittable button will open November 1st.

Artists Currently Exhibiting

Alan Waidman

I am a self taught carver, do repairs and teach. I maintain a Canadian theme for most of my carving, lots of bears and animals.

Allan is passionate about his carving and it shows. He has been carving for 18 years after a leaving the "corporate business world". His works are featured at some of the top Canadian galleries, on TV & with Arts in Medicine at Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton. Most recently he developed "formed soapstone" - a unique application recycling soapstone left-over from the carving process. Using his original designs he replicates sculptures, adding a variety of colors into this new art form.

Brazen Edwards

I try to enhance the world around me through capturing the vibrant landscapes we inhabit and create an atmosphere connected with the intricacies of nature.

Brazen Edwards is a versatile artist who attended the Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts; later pursuing a career with the RCMP. She relocated to the Okanagan in 2009; found the region inspiring; and realizing art was her true calling she began devoting herself to that pursuit in 2010. Brazen has been fortunate to have her artwork collected internationally.

Carmen Laferriere

In my practice, each piece is designed to honour the beauty, uniqueness and simplicity of hand-made felted accessory while imagining the individual who will fall in love with it.

Carmen Laferrière is a Fiber Artist who designs unique, versatile and elegant felted accessories. She works primarily with fine Merino wool, silks and recycled textiles. She finds inspiration in poetry, songs, patterns and colours found in the beautiful Okanagan.
Her studio in Vernon in the beautiful Okanagan valley B.C.

Colleen Thomas

I love it when design is practical. One's personal expression through fashion is so rewarding when comfort and versatility don't impede on style.

Through textiles and metal work, Colleen Thomas has created a line of fashion accessories that can be described as West Coast retro with a modern twist. The Okanagan Valley's emerging art scene, natural beauty and four distinct seasons appeal to her love of fashion and design.

In 2013 she launchd her company Bellaklava Originals, which now includes a line of jewelry as well as handmade hats made from new and reclaimed materials. Colleen's designs are constantly evolving and being re-imagined, with many of pieces one of a kind.

Evelyne MacMillan

My preferred mediums are watercolour, acrylic and mixed. My art expresses my thankfulness and respect for natural beauty and a joyful appreciation of life.

Okanagan artist Evelyne MacMillan’s work has won several awards. She’s known for her expressive watermedia and collage paintings which often incorporate textures. She is a member of the Federation of Canadian artists and is a sought-after instructor.

Irene Scott

Inspired by the beautiful landscape and brilliant Okanagan sun, I explore the sun dazzling what it touches, dances on water and bursting through trees.

Art fills Irene’s life. She paints with acrylics reflecting the colours of Okanagan landscapes. Art is an adventure filled with discovery, delight and love.

Jaine Buse

This series of works "Small Treasures" showcases Mixed Media/Acrylic art from my love of nature; and were created by culling through stashes of hidden gems.

Jaine's nine year journey as a mixed media artist continues to evolve and be influenced by classes, experiences, travel and people. She works on Mission Painters Board, shows across North America and was a partner in Gallery97 for the past three years.

Jenny Wright

I am an acrylic painter, using a mixture of impressionist and expressive styles, and a rich pallet of blues and greens. Although I have a preference for landscapes, I’m passionate about my most recent collection, "Boats."

Jenny believes the movement, light and bold colours on each canvas are meant to stir up emotions, allowing the viewer to relive a moment in time. She’s a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the BrushStrokes Club of West Kelowna.

Michelle McCullough

I am an Alcohol Ink and Resin Artist! I love vibrant colours and recreating natures beauty. I combine the two mediums in my Art.

Michelle fell deeply in love with Alcohol Inks and has never looked back. She uses them in a variety of ways allowing true expression to come thru in her vibrant Art work.

Pat Derickson

My art depicts the land and animals that share the beauty of the Okanagan. I also work in both traditional and contemporary styles and mediums.

Pat is a Cree/ku'sqilxw artist from the traditional territory. She is a multi disciplinary artist who graduated with honors from En'owkin Center in 2016. Pat has won various awards such as Jacob McKay, WFN logo contest and the Willy Armstrong Language award as well as others.

Robin George

I am an Okanagan artist. I choose beads as my medium of preference. I enjoy seeing people wearing my works.

Robin George is an Okanagan First Nations artist. She grew up in Penticton and has lived there her entire life. She is 43 years old and married with three grown children.

Wayne Wilson

My work moves comfortably between watercolour and block printing and I have a particular interest in the representational panorama around us.

Wayne was born in Lillooet, B.C. in a house his father built out of railway ties. He’s worked as a cowboy, truck driver, lounge singer, purchasing agent, college professor, film and talking book narrator; and many other jobs – but spent most of his career in the Museum field. He has been sketching & painting for the last 40 years, and has a special interest in art travel journals and their role in history.

Theresa Heinrichs

I use texture to share the beauty of a special moment in time in our beautiful Okanagan, hoping to bring this loveliness into people's lives.

Theresa is best known for her textured and vibrant paintings of flowers, Okanagan scenes and European landscapes. Her vibrant colours in an impressionistic manner, coupled with the use of a palette knife to sculpt in thick texture, have become a favourite among collectors local and international collectors. She has been featured in magazines and news articles; and is at present a resident teaching artist on the Celebrity Cruise Line. She finds great inspiration in her extensive travels.

Susan Beck

I have been inspired to fashion all species of Salmon by the impressive "runs" seen here in the Okanagan, flashing their brilliant colours.

After 45 years as a small animal veterinarian, retirement to the Okanagan brought a new activity: pottery. Susan has made Salmon, fanciful mini houses after seeing Silver Star homes, platters, bowels glazed to reflect the mountains, patterns of damage caused by Pine Beetles, and impressions of carvings made by First Nations artists. Her studio is named after the village of Shirehampton near where she lived in England.

Nickie Burditt

I live in a cabin in the woods and am inspired by my surroundings. My artwork has a strong connection to nature, animals, and spirituality.

Nickie graduated from the Alberta College of Art & Design with a BFA in Painting in 2014. By day she runs the Oyama Lake Eco Lodge and by night she teaches art classes in Vernon and Kelowna.

Sarah Gagnon

I want to capture the wonder and joy of the beauty the surrounds us. I want to capture the simplicities of life, nature and friendship.

Sara Gagnon was born and raised in Kelowna, B.C. Canada in a big, creative family, the only daughter among six brothers. Sara has always been encouraged in the visual arts, and her love grew as she has spent countless hours observing the nature around her and experimenting with various mediums to capture the beauty she so appreciates. She is primarily self-taught, and is a passionate teacher who enjoys instructing artists of all ages.

Annie O’Hearn

Life is about movement, change and fulfillment. My paintings envelop our changing environment. Growth comes from deep within, transforming, traversing through time.

Graduating with honours from the Fine Arts Program at Georges Vanier Secondary School in Toronto, Annie O’Hearn later received her B.A. from Queen’s University in Kingston.

Angela Maher

I am a self taught artist, using colour, light and movement to express my gratitude for the amazing gift of living in this beautiful world.

Angela is a Professional artist born 1952 in Germany. Residing in the Okanagan since 2003, she’s a Member of art galleries & artist associations in Kelowna, Lake Country and Penticton.

Kerry Rawlinson

Nature, people, and urban environments inspire me. Life and imagination are my guides. I use many mediums but watercolours and acrylic pouring are my current favourites.

Poet, artist, autodidact and eternal optimist, kerry emigrated decades ago from sunny Zambian skies to solid Canadian soil. After a disciplined career in Architectural Technology, she’s now follows wherever Poetry & Art’s muses lead, generally barefoot. Her writing and digital art-photography have been widely published & won several prizes.

Lara Roberts

I focus on Okanagan tree of life sculptures with healing gemstones created with re-purposed copper wire, and wire wrapped necklaces, with beautiful hand-picked, local crystals.

Lora was introduced to the world of art and creativity by her late mother-in-law Cindy H. Art became Lora's life, away to cope with life's hardships, emotions and anxieties. Her dream in life is to create and sell beautiful things to beautiful people. She continues to be inspired everyday by the beauty of the Okanagan Valley, doing what she loves: creating.

Louise Lambert

I want people who see my art to feel better, if my art can, in a small sense does that, I have done my job.

Globally known for her renditions of vineyards, both in North America and abroad. Louise is a professional artist, who owns Wine Country Studios. Classically trained at the Coppini Fine Art Academy, educated throughout North America, she promotes arts and culture in her home in West Kelowna with the popular Art in the Park-Vineyard Trails program and serves on the Metis association as the arts and cultural director.

Terry Thomson

I combine the beauty found in nature with the beauty found in my native heritage to create a dynamic unity between them.

Terry is a First Nations male from the Nlaka’pamux Nation. Born in Smithers B.C. in 1970, but spent a majority of his life living in the Okanagan/Similkameen region. Terry is a member of the Cook’s Ferry Band in Spence’s Bridge B.C. He spent two years studying Fine Arts at Fraser Valley College (University) from 1988 to 1990. He utilized many mediums but the majority of his detailed work is done in pencil and ink.