Photos: Members show My Latest opens at Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre

The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre’s annual Members Show, entitled My Latest, features works from Revelstoke’s increasingly diverse visual arts community, and a side gallery show by Vancouver artist Jenn Ashton.

I’ve been to many dozen openings at RVAC over the years. When someone asked me after what the show was like, my on-the-spot answer was the mix of age and gender diversity, coupled with the opportunity for many artists to highlight new directions, elevated the whole show. It was just an impression, but many of the works seemed elevated by their neighbours. It’s a good snapshot of the diverse visual arts scene in Revelstoke. There’s a whole new wave of young visual artists in Revelstoke who are getting their works to market, and the RVAC show is one opportunity.

Also, I decided to just chat with people and grab a few photos here and there. I didn’t photograph many of the feature pieces. I can say for sure that a lot was left out for you to explore when you go see the exhibit, which runs until July 19.

I chatted with former Revelstoke chamber director Judy Goodman, but didn’t get a photo. She now volunteers as the chair of the RVAC board. She showed me images of a new signage going up on the gallery soon. They’re installing flags through the adjacent garden that will invite visitors into the centre from Victoria Road. Goodman said they are hoping to do a mural on the building, but, like all good things in life, it will require a city variance, so that’s not 100%. There are plans for major upgrades at the centre, including a new roof, new HVAC. There are potential plans to take the hanging ceiling off the main gallery to expose some vertical windows behind them. Goodman said the new board formed in February and they’re working hard to move forward. On top of all the arts programming and shows, their old building requires lots of ongoing upgrades and maintenance. The RVAC is located in a former Revelstoke RCMP detachment building and comes complete with jail cells, which now host artist spaces and workshops. The centre has several different groups and guilds, lots of youth and adult art programming on the go. For more on RVAC, visit their website.

It’s a long way from a retired RCMP detachment building to an upbeat art opening like the My Latest show. The exhibit is a good representation of the great, diverse work happening in Revelstoke visual arts. Many of the works are for sale, and there are some bargains. That empty wall at home at home isn’t going away. This show connects you with new works from many local artists.

For more on the show, see captions in the photo gallery below.