Amaya Vienneau, has been working at the arts center for over 3 years. She enjoys working with acrylic painting, watercolour as well as oils and chalk pastels. Her goal in the art industry is to excel in more art formulas, such as clay, charcoal and oil painting

Ann has spent most of her life painting in oils, both in studio and in the outdoors, en plein air. She has participated in and helped organize many plein air events throughout Canada during her career. Being primarily a landscape painter, Ann’s style of painting is very loose and impressionistic, characterized by thick oil paint, harmonious colour and visible brushstrokes. Most of her paintings depict the splendour of the natural landscape around us, from panoramic marshland vistas, larger than life florals and portraits of distinctive and unique trees.

Ann’s work is shown in galleries in Ontario, Alberta and B.C., and held in collections around the world. She is a Signature Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Associate Member of the Oil Painters of America, and has won numerous awards in various FCA shows and Plein Air Festivals. Ann spends most of her time working and teaching at her studio in Lake Country, B.C.

Annabel Stanley is a Natural Fibre Artist, she weaves with vine canes, dogwood, willow, moss and many other materials which give a vibrant natural effect that exhibit inside and outside. Annabel has been weaving for over 25 years; she started in New Zealand where she lived with her family before they came to the Okanagan in 2003. She has her own vineyard, which borders onto the McDougall Rim hiking trails, West Kelowna and she and her dogs like to hike and gather on these trails regularly.

Annabel shares her time between family, working in her vineyard, weaving and teaching workshops. She is a Director for the Okanagan Folk School based in Peachland and is also a cross-country ski coach for Special Olympics. Her influences have been willow artist Serena De La Haye and environmental sculptor Andrew Goldsworthy. She has studied with Peter Faulkener, a coracle builder (hazel and hide small light weight boats), learning new styles of weaving with Martha Cloudsley from BC and trained in Willow Sculpture with Julieann WorrallHood in Wiltshire England.

She has held many exhibitions in NZ and here in BC and featured in The NZ Gardener, NZ Cuisine, on NZ National TV and in the first edition of Sculpture Pacific in Canada.

She had an exhibit in the courtyard at The Kelowna Art Gallery called The Circle of Life between September 2021 to 2022 and exhibited at the Peachland Art Gallery in 2017,2023 and 2024.

Arlene Westen is a multidisciplinary artist and arts educator based in Alberta with more than forty years of teaching experience in community, post-secondary, and professional art settings. Her background includes a Fibre Art degree with Honours from the Alberta University of the Arts, a Studio Arts degree (Honours with Great Distinction) from the University of Lethbridge, a Fibre Art diploma from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, and Tailoring certification from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Arlene invites students to slow down, observe, and discover the expressive potential of thread and pigment on textiles and paper. Materials become tools for storytelling, reflection, and renewal. Her workshops encourage curiosity, creative confidence, and a deeper connection between maker and materials.

Arlene’s current work integrates indigo, cyanotype, and natural earth pigments with traditional textile processes such as Shibori and Boro-inspired stitched patchwork, creating layered narratives rooted in lived experience. She is committed to honouring the beauty of reuse, repair, and resilience, celebrating the handmade as both process and philosophy.

Ash is a youth Non-binary artist based in the Okanagan. They've had a passion for art their whole life, and in the past few years have really focused on showing others their love for art!

Ash's main mediums are acrylic and embroidery work, and they love to experiment with colour, shape, and texture. Elements of nature also inspire them constantly, with the way water moves, and how tree bark has intricate patterns.

Ashley is a visual artist, born and raised in the North Okanagan. While her primary medium is clay sculpture, she also works in acrylics, watercolours, beadwork and photography. She gathers inspiration from local and international travels, educating herself on cultures, ecosystems and wildlife conservation. After taking a class at the Vernon Art Center, it revealed animal sculpture work was her creative calling! Immersing herself in the various techniques, shapes and textures further sparked the personalities that have brought her animals to life. Each piece Ashley creates reflects her lifelong passion and advocacy for animals. She currently teaches Animal Sculpture workshops at Vernon Community Arts Center. She can often be found in her ‘creative zone’ during studio drop ins, gaining inspiration during the VCAC’s gallery showings and exploring the many classes VCAC has to offer.

Barry Rafuse is a professional artist based in British Columbia, with signature status in both the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Society of Canadian Artists. After a long career in the justice system, he devoted himself fully to painting, exploring bold and textured abstract works influenced by artists like Richard Diebenkorn and Brian Rutenberg. Barry’s process embraces spontaneity, “happy accidents,” and the mystery of the unknown, resulting in dramatic, large-scale mixed media paintings. Alongside exhibiting in juried shows and galleries, he shares his passion through teaching and jurying exhibitions.

Brenda Danbrook grew up in rural Alberta, and was first taught to use her hands productively through the model of her mother’s actions. Homesteading practices such as cooking, sewing and pottery set the foundation for her love of natural materials, gardening, and art. Danbrook’s central practice is working with clay in her home studio in rural central Alberta. Throughout the year, Danbrook instructs clay workshops to small groups in her home studio, and pottery guilds. In 2025, she instructed a five-day ceramic intensive at Red Deer Polytechnic during their SERIES summer programming, Layered Surfaces and Embossed Forms.

Danbrook graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts in Visual Arts from the University of Regina (2019). The preceding universities she studied at while working toward a Bachelors of Fine Arts were, the Australian National University, Red Deer College, The Alberta University of Art and Design, and the pottery workshop in Jingdezhen, China. Danbrook has exhibited both large-scale installations and smaller scale work in Canada, Australia, and the USA. Her work is in the permanent collection of The Provincial Museum of Alberta, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Canadian Consulate (Canberra, Australia), and the permanent collections of the post secondary institutions she attended.

Brian graduated with a Fine Arts Honours Degree in 1980 and began teaching art the following year. He first joined the Vernon Community Arts Centre at its original location near the Recreation Centre and later continued at the current facility, where he taught pottery, life drawing, and painting. He also previously worked as the pottery studio technician and led the Centre’s first Raku workshop.

Now retired from his career as a high school art teacher with the Vernon School District, Brian is excited to once again share his skills and support the community. Outside the studio, he enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of every season.

Award-winning author/artist Carolyn Fisher has illustrated nine children’s books, four of which she also wrote. Paul O. Zelinsky (himself a Caldecott-winning artist/author), writing for The New York Times Book Review called her book The Snow Show “…visually arresting…one of the most gloriously exuberant, inventive displays of computer-created art that I have ever seen in a picture book.” Carolyn’s book Summer Feet (with words by Sheree Fitch) won the David Booth Prize at the 2022 Canadian Children’s Book Awards, as well as earning a place on CBC’s Best Canadian Picture Book List and The Globe and Mail’s 100 Best Books of 2020. Carolyn’s book Cells: An Owner’s Handbook was nominated for the Ontario Library Association’s Silver Birch Express Award, and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Norma Fleck Award. In 2021, Carolyn was chosen as a touring artist to visit schools and libraries across Canada for the prestigious Canadian Children’s Book Week. Carolyn’s art has been exhibited in the US and Canada. In addition to teaching at ACAD for seven years, Carolyn has talked to thousands of kids and adults in scores of libraries and schools about writing and art.

Cathy Toll is a potter who loves every aspect of working with clay. For her, clay has become a continual journey of learning, with no end to what can be created. She creates both functional and artful pieces and is happiest when her hands are muddy. Cathy has been teaching handbuilding for seven years with beginner and intermediate students, including five years at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and considers inspiring eager learners and seeing what they create to be a true gift.

Charley began painting in 2017 as part of a process to deepen his spiritual practice. His creative explorations evolved through various styles and mediums until he took a class in abstract painting. Focusing on shapes and colours observed in the natural world but painted in a non representational way sums up his style and practice.

Charley achieved Active Status in the Federation of Canadian Artists in 2018 and has been juried into over 30 shows since then. He is a member of the Okanagan Artists of Canada and regularly participates in their exhibitions.

Charley has a background in coaching and counseling. He now combines his experience serving others with his creative practice, and has been teaching a range of classes in acrylic painting and abstract expression since 2020.

Artist Statement:

Art is learning to express myself in ways that I cannot otherwise do. It’s about taking risks, learning through growth, living with the fear of making mistakes, and connecting with people who understand.
The Japanese principle of satori describes my connection to art: satori is continually acquiring new points of view and perspectives through which we deal with life.

Christine is passionate about creating and teaching art. Graduating from UBC Okanagan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009 with majors in printmaking and photography she continues to create original and unique artwork. Christine is an instructor for youth and adults in her home studio, at the Vernon Community Arts Centre and in SD 22 and SD 83 classrooms. In 2020 she had a solo exhibition of her cyanotype works “Full Spectrum” at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. Christine exhibits her artwork locally in shows of the Okanagan Artist of Canada, Okanagan Print Artists and North Okanagan FCA groups and Artsolutely at the Vernon Community Arts Centre.

David’s journey with stained glass began in Brighton, East Sussex, where he founded Simply Stained Glass in 2000. Since then, his work has travelled around the world—brightening homes, museums, churches, and community spaces with both traditional and contemporary designs. From classic leaded stained glass to bold Dalle de Verre slabs and even double-glazed Tiffany-style windows, David approaches every project as a chance to blend craftsmanship with creativity, creating lasting works of art that transform a space.

Recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects for his restoration work, David is widely respected for his expertise in traditional leaded stained glass—a technique that remains one of the most enduring methods used in windows today. At the Vernon Community Arts Centre, he shares this knowledge with students through his Leaded Stained Glass classes.

David is also one of the UK’s leading practitioners of Dalle de Verre. This unique style, introduced in the 1930s, uses one-inch-thick coloured glass set into resin to create vibrant, sculptural windows known for their dramatic play of light. His work includes both new commissions and restoration of historic installations across the UK.

Beyond stained glass, David is a multidisciplinary artist: a contemporary jewellery designer and semi-finalist on BBC2’s All That Glitters (Season 2), as well as a painter, photographer, and occasional poet.

Desiree is a visual artist working in Victoria BC. Predominantly working in the medium of printmaking, Desiree loves to expand her skills within both contemporary and traditional methods of printmaking. She is skilled in etching, mezzotint, screen printing and relief printing, currently focused on Mokuhanga, Japanese Woodblock printmaking. Her work focuses on abstract forms that resist being known, seeming both natural and unnatural. She has taught Mokuhanga with MISSA, PRINT and VISA; all programs based on Vancouver Island.

Eiko came from Tokyo to Salmon Arm, B.C. in 1993. She worked for School District #83 as a Japanese Language Monitor. In high schools and elementary schools, she taught in Japanese classes or visiting classes for Japanese language or art classes. She taught not only language, but also gave opportunities to the students to experience Japanese arts and cultures: origami, tea ceremony, ikebana: flower arranging, kimono dressing, Japanese dance and Japanese calligraphy.

Japanese calligraphy is influenced by Chinese culture that has more than a 4000-year history. The participants learn the difference of three different kinds of Japanese characters in calligraphy class. Unlike Western calligraphy, Japanese calligraphy uses India ink with a brush on thin rice paper. The brushes are thicker than paint brushes, and the experience of Japanese calligraphy is rather more like drawing foreign designs than just writing letters.

At present Eiko teaches Japanese culture and language at the Okanagan Regional Library in person and remotely and privately. Also, she obtains Major’s degree in Counseling Psychology: Art Therapy and works for facilitating art therapy groups in School District #83.

Short Description of Japanese Calligraphy and Origami: Begin with explanation about the history and significance of calligraphy in the Japanese culture and the different styles of Japanese calligraphy. Also, participants will learn how to write their names in Japanese and enjoy creating oriental art works using Chinese ink with a brush.
Origami is the art of paper folding, which is associated with Japanese culture. The participants of all ages are able to enjoy making objects with origami paper.

Emily has been an artist all of her life, and was encouraged to revel and wonder in all that can be found in the natural world. Now she encourages others to play with abandonment and embrace the messiness of being lost in a world of colours and textures.
Colour, light, lines, shapes and all the interactions in nature fuel Emily’s wonder and delight. She took up photography at a young age and loves to capture all of that with her camera. More recently, she has been immersed in ‘building’ art with fabric, fibre, paper, clay and recycled materials, on their own and together. The recycled and found fibre has proven to be the perfect vehicle to create art that can suggest or represent scenes or simply inspire abstract creations. She allows her imagination, surroundings, favorite places, and the materials themselves to fuel her creativity and encourage simply “messing about”.

For Frank, drawing and painting are acts of discovery. Each work begins as an attempt to understand the living structure beneath what he sees — the energy that gives shape to form, and the rhythm that moves through light and shadow. Frank is drawn to subjects that reveal vitality through simplicity: a mountain slope, a ripple of trees, the life within an animal.

Frank's studies and paintings aim to make that pulse visible — not by reproducing the world as it appears, but by interpreting how it feels to perceive it. He builds through gesture, structure, and tone until something begins to breathe on the page.

This approach has evolved from years of observing nature, design, and the expressive power of light. Whether through oil pastel, paint or line, Frank's goal is to translate that moment of recognition — when form and energy align — into something that lives within the surface.

Franziska Plummer is a potter in Vernon, British Columbia. Coming from Switzerland, Franziska was as drawn to the Okanagan valley in the early 1990s by the great outdoors, but found her passion for pottery more recently. In 2021, Franziska signed up for her first workshop here at the Vernon Community Arts Centre and since then she has continuously expanded her skill set. She really enjoys learning new techniques and reinventing her style. Many of her pieces are gifted to her friends and family, from dish ware to fun decorative gnomes.

A graduate of Emily Carr University, Gabrielle’s practice is split between paintings, ceramics and public art. Prior to attending ECUAD, she spent five exciting years travelling to over 70 countries on all seven continents by sea, leaving her with a deep connection to the ocean. Those years at sea left their mark and coupled with twenty years living in the PNW, she is forever drawn to themes of water, weather and sky, which reoccur throughout her art practice. Inspired by the beauty of big monochromatic moody skies, through her paintings Gabrielle seeks to capture the quiet sense of calm those overcast days evoke. Primarily working in oils, she is always searching for the moment the veil is lifted, revealing a glimmer of light on the horizon. Her work is often described as quintessentially West Coast.

As part of Canada 150, Gabrielle was awarded a major public art commission by the Government of Canada, City of Vernon and Downtown Vernon Association to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, whereby she enlisted the community to help create an over 100-foot long winding river mosaic installed in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. More recently, Gabrielle has exhibited her paintings solo at Gallery Vertigo and at the Peachland Art Gallery. Her paintings are represented by Gallery Merrick in Victoria, Ashdale Gallery in North Vancouver, Tutt Street Gallery in Kelowna and through the American online gallery, PXP Contemporary.

Gale Woodhouse has a long and established history as an instructor, visual artist, and craftsperson. Professionally qualified as a teacher of art and design in England and trained and apprenticed as a studio potter, Gale is dedicated to sharing her extensive knowledge of the arts with students of all ages. Her workshops are thoughtfully designed to help students achieve their artistic goals, offering new and stimulating techniques that enrich and enhance their current practices.

Heather took up pottery about 10 years ago after years of curiosity. She is mostly self taught from the Kamloops Arts and Crafts studio where she played and taught beginner classes. Heather spends most of her creative energy on functional kitchen pottery.

"My theory is that as a beginner you should never fall in love with your piece until the final firing. It’s a craft with so many opportunities to fail but when the stars align it’s magic. Pottery has taught me patience, gratitude and a deeper appreciation for all of the talented souls we meet everyday. I love teaching beginners. The aha moment is so fun to be a part of."

Born in Calgary, Alberta, to Hungarian immigrant parents, Helen grew up immersed in tradition, culture, and creativity. Her artistic journey began with painting and experimenting with various mediums, but everything changed in 1985 when she discovered glass during a workshop at Red Deer College. Captivated by its possibilities, she left her job, enrolled in Art College. Helen is a graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design. She has expanded her expertise through numerous glass workshops, including the renowned Pilchuk Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. She recently completed a three-year glass study under the guidance of glass Maestro Narcissus Quagliata and now contributes as part of his team, mentoring and coaching emerging glass artists.

Helen founded Red Dog Glass Studio in 1997. For 40 years, she has devoted her life to the art of glass, weaving passion and creativity into every piece. Beginning her career as a glassblower, she now specializes in fusing and flameworking, crafting multidimensional works that showcase her technical mastery and artistic vision. Her art, deeply influenced by the beauty of nature and the resilience of the human spirit, reflects personal triumphs and a profound connection to the world around her. Helen's work has earned international recognition and is included in prestigious collections such as the Glass Museum in Biot, France, and the Alberta Craft Council. Her dedication to the craft and her unique artistic voice continue to inspire both collectors and fellow artists alike.

James Jennings is an American painter living in British Columbia. As an artist working primarily in oil, he is driven by a passion for capturing the essence of his subjects and conveying their unique personalities and emotions through his art.

Using oil paints, he aims to bring these observations to life on canvas, layering color, texture, and brushwork to create a dynamic and engaging portrait. He pays close attention to the play of light and shadow, utilizing chiaroscuro with abstraction techniques to add depth and dimensionality to his subjects.

His goal is not merely to create a realistic likeness, but to capture the essence of his subject’s personality and inner world. He strives to convey their emotions and spirit through the composition, color, and texture of the painting, creating a work of art that not only captures their likeness but also evokes a powerful emotional response in the viewer.

Nationally recognized, Sunshine Coast artist, JAN POYNTER grew up in North Van and on Van Island. Working as a professional illustrator & designer for over 40 years, Jan’s designs have been applied to international branding, product, literature, and architecture. Her public art projects in Gibsons, Sechelt, Haida Gwaii and West Vancouver, include murals and street art projects. Jan produced her first coin design for the Royal Canadian Mint in 2016 and has now created 6 RCM Collector Coins. Teaching & mentoring for various arts orgs and educational programs since 1982.

With a passion for plein air painting Jan finds inspiration in the landscape near and far. Her latest series of dramatic landscapes are inspired and informed by painting on location throughout British Columbia. Working in Acrylic, Watercolor and mixed media Jan’s original paintings feature bold, tonal color and strong rendering skills.

Jan is a signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a founding member of the Coast Cultural Alliance and SC Artists Cooperative. Visitors are welcome to her Gibsons studio/gallery by appointment, and her work is often featured in exhibitions at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Treaty 7 Territory. Jana attended the Alberta College of Art and Design, where she received her BFA in Ceramics. Although she primarly works with clay, she also enjoys exploring painting and other mixed media. With over 20 years of experience instructing art at various institutions, including Northmount Pleasant Art Centre, Wildflower Art Centre, Jana recently joined Wellspring Cancer Support, and has participated in numerous guest residencies including Red Deer PolyTech Summer Series. What she finds most fulfilling about teaching is witnessing her students’ excitement as they experiment with new techniques. Watching them build confidence and discover their creative potential is incredibly rewarding for her.

Jeremy was born in Edmonton, Alberta and at a young age, became interested in pottery beginning with a summer pottery camp. He pursued his interest in pottery and graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BFA in Ceramics.

Being an adventurous soul, Jeremy has lived and made work in many places. Now finding himself in Okanagan, he has been making pottery that he hopes will add to and enrich the lives around him. He has taught classes in Nelson and Salmon Arm, and now at the Vernon Community Arts Centre in Vernon.

“I like to make work that reflects the places that I live. I look at architecture, landscape and moments of history to inform what I make. I am endlessly curious about the process, materials and history of pottery. I enjoy encouraging people to find their own creativity and look to share what I have learned along the way.”

Jo-Ann Law first fell in love with pottery at Prince George's CNC in her youth. After a long hiatus from the craft, she rediscovered it in 2012 at the encouragement of her eldest daughter, who was interested in taking classes at the local pottery guild in Northern Alberta. Since then, she has devoted many hours to her love of pottery, building her skills through classes and experimentation. When the time came to retire and move back to beautiful BC, deciding on a location was the next challenge. After visiting the Vernon Community Arts Centre she had found her new happy place. She has been a member of the VCAC since 2018 and began teaching in 2019. Jo-Ann's philosophy for pottery is based in pure joy and play, "There is just nothing like taking a piece of clay and creating something beautiful."

Joey Foychuk is an arts educator and creative facilitator who specializes in children’s arts and crafts, with a focus on mixed media and drawing. Working through the Art Centre, Joey designs imaginative, hands-on projects that encourage young artists to explore texture, colour, and play. Her approach blends creativity with accessibility, offering children the freedom to experiment while building foundational skills. Whether teaching group classes or leading community programs, her goal is always the same: to spark curiosity, nurture confidence, and help kids discover the joy of making. 

Kara Barkved is an established international selling artist, born in Montreal but has lived in BC since 1969. She graduated from the University of Victoria in 1983 with a BFA and an MA in 1991. She has studied art, art therapy and psychology, and has been involved in the arts and visual arts all her life. Kara is a versatile artist working in different mediums, and whose main interest is in Abstract Art. Her paintings evolve out of spontaneous marks that mingle with her imagination and the influence from the world around her.

Kassidy is an aspiring art teacher currently completing her degree in Abbotsford, BC. Born and raised in Vernon, she has been part of the incredible team at Vernon Community Art Centre for over five years, working as the Camp Coordinator for our Summer Youth Camps.

Inspired daily by the energy, curiosity, and imagination of her campers, Kassidy believes deeply in the power of art for childhood development. She loves watching young artists explore their own creativity, build confidence, and discover new skills. Seeing the impact that art has on her campers’ lives is what fuels her passion for teaching.

In her own artistic practice, Kassidy enjoys working across many mediums. Her current favourites are charcoal and acrylic paint where she experiments with texture, expression, colour and composition.

Karen has been a ceramic artist for 25 years and an instructor for 24 years. She became addicted to clay in 2000 when she joined the Kamloops Arts and Crafts Club. Within two short years, she was instructing her own adult hand building class. In 2005, Karen enrolled in the Australian National University’s 4-year Distance Ceramic Diploma Program. She also completed extra semesters in China and Australia which gave her the opportunity to learn new techniques and skills from a variety of amazing artists.

Karli moved to Vernon in 2018 and wanted to find a community that she could be a part of in her new hometown. After taking a beginners pottery class at the VCAC, she was immediately hooked and has been honing her skills and trying new pottery techniques ever since.

"I love adding sgraffito and carving to my wheel thrown pieces and enjoy sharing and teaching those skills and techniques to others. The VCAC is my home away from home, hope to see you there!"

Linda has always had diverse interests in the arts, (painting, dance, drama & mime). After 36 years as a dance instructor, Linda’s passion for painting has now been realized. Linda has been a watercolour artist for 24 years, enjoying the variety of creativity and flow that the watercolour medium offers. Linda’s paintings are admired for their vivid colours and diverse techniques. At times she introduces other mediums to enhance her work. Her art subjects are varied, but particularly she draws inspiration from the beauty of nature.

Linda has continued to grow in her art by regularly receiving instruction from a number of Canadian artists in both Ontario and British Columbia as well as taking online courses. Vernon Community Arts Centre and Allan Brooks Nature Centre are two locations where Linda has been employed to teach watercolour classes and workshops. She and her husband have made their home in Vernon BC since 2009.

Lowell Friesen is a born and raised Vernon Community Arts Center potter, having taken his first class at the Arts Centre back in 2013. Lowell has since spent the last 6 years learning from the wide array of teachers the center has to offer, and developing his skills in both wheel thrown and hand built pottery. It only made sense that Lowell would one day become a VCAC instructor.

Focusing on functional yet creative versions of classic forms, Lowell's aim is to one day build the ‘holy grail’ of all coffee mugs. When he’s not getting muddy in the clay studio you can often find him on the road singing songs in bars and cafes across the country or talking to his flowers in the garden at his home in Salmon Arm, BC.

Melly was born and raised in Indonesia where she taught music for over 20 years. She taught under the Yamaha Music Foundation in Japan for ten years and taught private piano and keyboard lessons in elementary schools as well. Her students ranged from young children to seniors. Melly loved helping her students reach their goals and prepare for local and international festivals, concerts and competitions.

Melly learned music at Yamaha Music School, Indonesia where she earned Advancement Examination Fundamental Certificate, Advancement Electone Performance Certificate, and the Teachers Training Course Certificate. She also took piano lessons and learned music theory at the Royal Music School in Jakarta.

Soon after arriving in Vernon in 2004, Melly found there was a need to "fill the gap" for keyboard lessons. She has been teaching keyboard at the Vernon Community Arts Centre ever since.
Melly believes with just a few lessons, anyone can experience the joy of playing music. Playing electric keyboard is fun, simple, and students like to explore different sounds and background music to accompany each song they learn. Her senior students especially appreciate the lightness of the keys and find it easier on their hands and fingers compared to playing a piano.

Monique studied (oil) painting at different art schools in Europe, before she moved to Canada in 2022 from The Netherlands. She can be found in her studio most days, working on large abstract mixed-media paintings. Besides that, she enjoys photography and encaustics (painting with beeswax). Monique exhibits frequently and she is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Before becoming an artist, Nancy lived on a hobby farm and created an award-winning garden on the coast which has given her much inspiration for her whimsical artwork. After moving to the Okanagan, she became a caregiver to her mom and needing some “me time”, attended a “Zen” doodling class at the Vernon Community Art Centre. She discovered a whole new world of “happy art” which she creates on illustration board with pen and alcohol inks. Her work is full of bright, beautiful colors and she loves to have the viewer look for things beyond what is plainly visible.

"I am an ACNO member because it makes me a part of an active artistic community. I believe in artists having the opportunity to share friendships, to learn, to work, to display, to teach and to heal."

Norm Compton studied music at Capilano College in North Vancouver. He has performed in a variety of bands and has experience in many styles of music including rock, country, blues and folk. He also enjoys writing music and recording in his home studio.

Patricia Doyle is a visual artist residing on the Bella Vista Hillside in Vernon, BC. While her primary medium is glass she also works in metal, acrylics, clay, silk, videography and photography. Doyle’s works are usually centered on both her love and awe of nature and her quirky sense of humor. She uses art to convey her vision of the world being a more harmonious and beautiful place. Doyle teaches fused glass and glass bead-making classes at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. She also teaches one-week intensive glass bead making courses at Red Deer Polytechnic’s Summer Series of the Arts in Alberta. Her work is available for sale in a number of stores and gallery shops in Western Canada.

Quinn in best known for bringing out people’s awesomeness.

Quinn is a visual artist and educator practicing in the Okanagan. Born in Edmonton, she began her career as a wedding and portrait photographer. Having grown up in an artistic home, pottery, glass, painting and drawing have been consistent areas of exploration in her life.

Recently, Quinn has channeled her creativity into the teaching of art classes at the VCAC. Her instruction teaches others to connect with art as an outlet for their emotions and as a method of meditation.

As instructor, ceramic studio technician, and coordinator of the Joining Hands program, Quinn finds great joy in helping others explore and expand their artistic talents.

Rachel is a painter based in Vernon, BC. She has been painting for over 20 years, and has 2 degrees from the University of Alberta- a BA double majoring in art and design / psychology, and a BEd specializing in art education. She takes great enjoyment in creating classes for students and sharing what she's learned over the years. Her classes focus on tools and techniques to create art you enjoy and exercises to gain mastery in your chosen medium. Her favourite media to work in are oil and watercolor, and she is also very experienced with acrylic and many techniques for drawing. A practicing artist, her paintings have been exhibited in Canada and the US. She welcomes you to join her class!

"I enjoy the challenge of working with clay as a medium. I am constantly experimenting with clay, searching for interesting textures, new glaze interactions, and little bits of energy within the pots I make.

The great thing about making functional ceramics is that this dialogue of making continues past the last firing. It's through using that I find successes or failures, or am inspired to try something new. These interactions with my pots inspires me to continue making, to keep finding new ways to reflect life and nature.

We all use pots everyday. Why not use a pot with character."

Satomi Sugiue is a Japanese Temari artist based in Vernon, BC. Her focus is on building community through the art of Temari—creating a welcoming space where people can freely express themselves and enjoy the beauty of handcrafting. Satomi encourages participants to explore and personalize their own designs, celebrating creativity and connection. She is also passionate about promoting sustainability by using eco-friendly materials and mindful practices throughout her Temari making process.

Sharon Rose is a Vernon-based artist who works primarily in oils, pastels, and other dry mediums, with a special focus on the human figure. Self-taught with added workshop experience, she has exhibited widely across BC and her work is held in private collections throughout Canada and the US. A co-founder of Valley Painters and active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Sharon also teaches drawing at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. For her, art is not just practice—it is a lifelong passion and obsession.

Sienna Belanger-Lee (x̌ixʷutəm, Zhaangswi Giizis) is a Syilx and Anishinaabe artist, language learner, and land steward based in the Okanagan. She holds a Certificate and Diploma in Nsyilxcn Language Fluency and brings over ten years of experience in land restoration, permaculture, and Indigenous land-based practices.

Sienna’s artistic practice is grounded in relationships to land, water, language, and cultural resurgence, often working through fibre arts, plant-based materials, community-engaged workshops, and interdisciplinary storytelling. Sienna’s work centres Indigenous knowledge systems as living, adaptive practices, bridging ancestral teachings with contemporary art and creative reconciliation methodologies. She has worked with and exhibited through organizations including ullus Collective and Gallery, Caetani Arts Centre, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery, and has facilitated workshops and programs focused on Indigenous fibre arts, ecological care, and land-based learning in the Okanagan. In addition to her visual art practice, Sienna has explored filmmaking through documentary work that reflects her commitment to place-based storytelling and Indigenous self-representation.

Sienna currently resides at nsisúlaʔxʷ (Dry Creek), where she continues her work in land stewardship, language revitalization, and community-centred art practices rooted in care, accessibility, and responsibility to future generations.

Silmara is a dynamic artist and educator whose creative practice centers on paper, mixed media, portraiture and storytelling through visual arts. With a deep interest in experimenting with materials, her work celebrates curiosity, presence, and the unique perspective each person brings to the creative process.

With a background in graphic design and photography, she believes creativity is a lifestyle, a way of moving through the world. She encourages artists of all levels to trust their intuition, embrace experimentation, and find joy in the creative journey.

When not in the studio, Silmara can be found learning new skills, drawing with her son, dancing and savouring life in any way inspiration calls.

Interested in connecting, collaborating, or learning more?
📷 Instagram: @silmara_ao
📌 Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your art practice, Silmara looks forward to exploring creativity with you!

Sue is a Stained Glass Artisan with my own studio in Vernon, B.C. She has been doing this as a business since April 2020, thanks to Covid. Prior to becoming a business, stained glass was a hobby she's dabbled at since 2002.

"I has pushed myself to learn new techniques and get out of my comfort zone. The fun part was realizing people wanted my work and were happy to pay for it. I’ve been asked many times to create a memorial piece for a loved one whether it be a special heart design or a lantern. Those have meant a lot to me, to be entrusted with this task. I am always looking for new and current designs to create."

Sue loves to teach the “lost art” of stained glass to others, and have them enjoy this art form. For her, this craft has added some sanity to her life when the world was just a little crazy at times.

Sue ahs been retired for 20 years. Before retirement she worked in the dental profession as an office manager for 25 years. Sue is married, and between her and her husband, they have 6 children, 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild to keep them busy. She also has a small business making fascinators for the women’s organization she belongs to, Crown Jewels of Canada Society. Sue loves to read when she has the time, as well cook for family and friends.

Suzy King is an interdisciplinary artist based in the North Okanagan, on the unceded, ancestral territories of the Splatsin (Secwepemc) and Syilx (Okanagan) peoples. She recently relocated from Vancouver's DTES, where she lived and created art for 15 years.

King’s work often takes sculptural form within immersive installations, combining multiple mediums including video and sound to create sensory environments. Since 2018, she has integrated ceramics into her practice and sells her unique ceramic work at markets.

With an initial education in photography and design, Suzy’s practice expanded into three-dimensional work, rooted in an exploration of how light reveals form, texture, and mood, and how design shapes our experience of the world

Svetlana is a Russian-born visual artist living and creating in Vernon, BC. Trained as a philologist and an English teacher, she has always been passionate about art and art history, and learnt to draw and paint through books and self-instruction. After moving to Canada, Svetlana took workshops and courses in photography and filmmaking in Halifax, drawing in Quebec, and painting and illustration in Vernon. Photography being her principal way of self-expression, she enjoys the expermental and educational process of blurring the line between different forms of visual art.

Svetlana’s photographic work has been exhibited in local galleries as well as at the Okanagan Artisan Guild Show and Lake Country ArtWalk.

Svetlana loves sharing her passion for art through teaching. She is convinced that art skills are as important as reading and writing, and can be acquired by anyone, just like reading and writing.

Terry’s stained glass journey began as a hobby and in 1989 her passion for glass evolved into a full time career as the co-owner of TJ Homecrafts Stained Glass, a stained glass supply store in Armstrong B.C.

Terry has been dedicated to the promotion and development of glass as an expressive art form. Stained glass is her forte and her finely executed pieces attest to her skill as a true artisan. Terry incorporates crystals and semi precious stones into many of her designs. Additionally, Terry also enjoys glass fusing as another area where she can explore her creativity.

She has spent years honing her skills through experimentation and study and now passes on her expertise in well-planned classes, which she conducts at TJ Homecrafts Stained Glass and at the Vernon Community Arts Center.

Trained as a Graphic Designer, my artistic journey has been that of an explorer. Often enjoying an "explosion" of colours, I find working with a limited palette equally thrilling. Multidimensional aspect of the human form continuously fascinates me hence my relentless quest to represent it in the various mediums I work in. Deconstruction of forms as I built up my collages is totally consuming as I work my way through composition, colour, form and light.

Portraits, figurative art and landscapes are the themes I am currently painting.
Since 1976 I have exhibited in group and solo shows in United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Pakistan and Dubai and awarded for portraiture and abstract paintings, namely 2003 Open International Portrait Competition in Toronto.

In 2004 I moved to Kelowna after a 13 year stay in Dubai. As an art educator for over 25 years, I had the honour of receiving the Art Educator Award for the Okanagan Arts Awards 2009.
Member of several art associations, currently I am serving as the president of Livessence, Figurative Art Society, Kelowna, BC.

Trent is a Central Alberta Artist that creates public and private sculptures using stained glass and metal. He teaches metal sculpture and stained glass at the summer art “Series” program at Red Deer Polytechnic and stained-glass classes in Lacombe, Alberta. Trenton’s inspiration for ideas often comes from nature, travel, painters, and musicians.  He has actively been an artist for over 23 years and works in his studio (Rogue Art and Design) in Lacombe, Alberta.

Trudi spent most of her working career in Alberta as a professional ceramic artist, working with clay in her own studio, teaching, and administering arts programming. She also sat on the board of the Alberta Potters Association for many years (7 as president).

For 50-plus years, Trudi has had a love and passion for clay that just won’t quit, and after a 20-year absence, she has settled in Vernon and discovered the VCAC!

“I love teaching and connecting with people interested in clay, whether they are beginners or more advanced. The sharing of knowledge and techniques, along with thoughtful dialogue, is very fulfilling.”