A great idea that began in the Okanagan comes full circle.

In 1993, Curator Katie Brennan, who grew up in the Okanagan, had Sharon MacKenzie as her grade 6 teacher at Kidston elementary. The two have kept in touch over the years, especially as Sharon MacKenzie founded the i2i Intergenerational Society of Canada, which works to promote intergenerational programs and learning opportunities, and to assist in developing rich and sustainable connections between generations.

“Sharon’s work has always been in my mind. I’m so pleased to have found a way to bring her work into the Lake Country Art Gallery and activate the visual arts in an intergenerational way”, says Brennan.

For the past three years the Lake Country Art Gallery has offered an exhibition of work by the local elementary and secondary students. Art Though the Ages – An Intergeneration Art Exhibition offers a new twist.

“We’ve put out an open call to art makers of all ages to submit work that they’ve created in collaboration with someone of a different generation”, Brennan explains.

Intergenerational collaborations can take many forms, such as: two or more people of different generations working on a single piece of artwork; two or more people having different roles in the making of a single piece of artwork – for example: one person models, the other draws / paints model; one person tells a story and/or provides some kind of inspiration, the other illustrates it / turns it into art.

The gallery is accepting up to 10 submissions of 12” X 12” works created through an intergenerational collaboration up until 4pm on Friday, May 2nd. Please visit lakecountryartgallery.ca for all submission and intergenerational collaboration details.

The exhibition will also feature the work of Kelowna artist Jolene Mackie. “I’m excited about how the artists of families will inspire other family members to create artwork”., says Mackie. Mackie will also be offering the first in a suite of four Signature Workshops that the Lake Country Art Gallery will be offering in 2014. Her two day workshop on illustrative painting will run on May 24th and 25th. Please visit lakecountryartgallery.ca for more details.

On Saturday, May 31st at 3pm, i2i Intergenerational Society Founder, and former Okanagan resident, Sharon MacKenzie will be on hand for a talk followed by questions and discussion on how i2i came to be, where it is now and the benefits for all from working intergenerationally.

The exhibition runs from May 7th – June 6th, with an open reception to take place on Saturday, May 10th from 1 – 3pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

Dates & Events at a Glance:

Art Though the Ages – An Intergeneration Art Exhibition runs from May 7th – June 6th. An opening reception will be held Saturday May 10th from 1 – 3pm

Submissions deadline: 4pm on Friday May 2nd, 2014 – visit lakecountryartgallery.ca for full details

Signature Workshop: Jolene Mackie – Illustrative Painting May 24th – 25th – visit lakecountryartgallery.ca for details

Sat, May 31st at 3pm. Talk & Discussion with i2i Intergenerational Society Founder Sharon MacKenzie. Admission is free and open to the public.