Creativity is a wild mind

and a disciplined eye.

- Dorothy Parker

We are grateful to Treaty 8, on whose land we reside.

Open Sky 2024

Open Sky 2024

Experience the Open Sky Art Exhibition Virtually in 2024!

While we’ll miss the buzz of gathering in person, this year we are celebrating the creativity and talent of North East BC online here at Open Sky. Whether you’re an artist showcasing your work or an art enthusiast eager to explore, mark your calendars for this exciting online experience. Let’s make this virtual gallery a vibrant hub of inspiration and connection.

Important Dates for 2024:

Submissions Accepted: June 18 - July 19, 2024

Awards announced: July 29, 2024

2023 Open Sky Artist in Residence

The Open Sky Artist in Residence program supports any visual artist residing in the Peace River Regional District or the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. The successful applicant will gain experience installing and curating an exhibition and will be provided with studio space within the Open Sky Exhibition, held at the Tamarack Hall in the Chetwynd Rec Centre in Chetwynd, BC. The Artist in Residence is a representative of Arts North East (Peace Liard Regional Arts Council) and is responsible for welcoming visitors and monitoring the security of the exhibition.

Meet
Hilde Kirschbaum

2023 Open Sky Artist in Residence

2023 Open Sky Awards and Recognition

Representational:

‘Drowning Yet Surviving’ by Samantha Wigglesworth, Fort St John

Three-Dimensional:
On the Backs of Our Ancestors‘ by Curtis Dickie, Fort Nelson

Conceptual: 
Self Portrait with Chair‘ by kit fast, Dawson Creek

Photography
Andrena’s Willow‘ by Caily Oldershaw, Dawson Creek

‘Ethereal Illumination,’ Denise Kearns, Tumbler Ridge

‘Body Works,’ Mary Parslow, PRRD

‘Petals for Kookum,’ Lorissa Scriven, Taylor

‘The Alley, Peter Shaw,’ Dawson Creek

‘Oval Floral Stamped Serving Dish,’ Dori Braun, Pouce Coupe

‘Night Dance,’ Angela Sullivan, Chetwynd

‘Hazel,’ Brogan Didier, Chetwynd

‘Blaze Across the Land,’ Angela Fehr, Dawson Creek

‘Illumination,’ Megan Graw, Dawson Creek

‘Percolating,’ Becky Banack, Fort St John

‘Northern Lights,’ Alison Newth, Fort St John

‘Mesmerized by the Dancing Stairway to Heaven, Saulteau First Nation,’ Alex Landon Richardson, Chetwynd

Meet the Jurors

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Open Sky | Arts North East Exhibition Jurors are Krystle Silverfox and Sylvan Hamburger.

Sylvan Hamburger is a visual artist working in printmaking, textiles and installation. His practice often engages community collaboration, discarded objects and demolished architecture to explore notions of belonging, memory and placemaking amidst changing landscapes and cultures. Sylvan’s work is shaped by specificities of place, notably his community of East Vancouver within the unceded homelands of the the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Selílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Krystle Silverfox (b. 1984) is a Selkirk First Nation (Wolf Clan)
interdisciplinary visual artist living and working on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwach’an Council (Whitehorse, Yukon). Silverfox holds both a BFA in Visual Art (2015); a BA in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice from UBC (2013); also an MFA in Interdisciplinary studies from Simon Fraser University (2019). Inspired by a material- focused practice, Silverfox uses visual mediums to communicate ideas and tell stories. Silverfox’s work explores concepts of Indigenous futurism, feminism, activism, and de-colonialism.

ABOUT US

About Open Sky

Held annually at one of the five PLRAC (Arts North East) member locations, Open Sky, formerly the Regional Juried Art Exhibition, provides an opportunity for regional artists to exhibit their work throughout the region. Award-winning works of art are chosen by the jurors and include 4 distinguished awards, chosen awards, and honourable mentions.

With the sponsorship of the BC Arts Council, PRRD, NRRM, Ovintiv, and the partnering arts council, Open Sky is continuing to nurture and grow arts and culture in our region.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Island Mountain Arts

Questions?

Please use our contact form or email us at ed@artsnortheast.org