Cyclists, artists, art enthusiasts and nature lovers will soon be able to experience art and cycling all on one day when the Okanagan Rail Trail Plein Art Event and GoByBike Week team up for a grand celebration on June 9.
Hosted by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) and the City of Vernon, the event starts with the Rail Trail Plein Air Event on the Okanagan Rail Trail from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and culminates with the end of GoByBike Week celebration at Polson Park from 3 to 5 p.m.
“We are thrilled to invite artists and community members alike to join us for the Rail Trail Plein Air Event. This event not only showcases the incredible talent of local artists but also celebrates the breathtaking beauty of our region’s natural landscapes,” said Shawna Patenaude, ACNO Executive Director. “Through this collaboration with the City of Vernon, we hope to inspire creativity, foster community connections, and create lasting memories for all who participate.”
Taking place along the Okanagan Rail Trail from the 0KM entrance off College Way in Coldstream to Kekuli Bay to Oyama in Lake Country, the event invites spectators to witness the creative process as local artists paint “en plein air” (French for “in open air”) to capture the landscape in real-time. Those with mobility issues are suggested to use the Kekuli Bay Provincial Park location in the parking lot just above the trail.
All participants and the community will then gather at Vernon’s Polson Park to celebrate the final day of GoByBike Week with live music, snacks, beverages, and displays. Bring a chair to enjoy the show. Participating artists will bring their works to the post-painting party, where first, second, and third-place awards will be given out in the Professional, Emerging, and Young Artist categories. People will also be able to vote for their favourite piece in an online People’s Choice poll with the award for best work announced on June 21. OPUS Art Supplies will provide gift cards for first-place winners.
A community collaboration, the event is being hosted by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan, City of Vernon Active Transportation Department, OPUS Art Supplies, and Friends of the Okanagan Rail Trail (FORT), whose ambassadors will be on the trail in bright green high-visibility vests to answer any questions during the event.
“We are also thankful to Tourism Vernon, the City of Vernon, and the Regional District of the North Okanagan for funding this amazing event, which unites art enthusiasts, cyclists, nature lovers, and community while celebrating the Okanagan’s natural beauty,” said Patenaude.
For more information and to register as an artist for the Rail Trail Plein Air event, please visit https://acno.ca/event/rail-trail-plein-air-event-3.
For information and to register as a cyclist for GoByBike Week, visit https://gobybikebc.ca/event-info/.