Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art
The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is a Canadian artist-run centre founded in 1989 and located in Kelowna, British Columbia. It is Kelowna's only artist-run centre and is a non-profit organization operated by the Okanagan Artist Alternative Association.
Location
In 2002 the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art moved from its location on Bernard Avenue to the Rotary Centre for the Arts, within Kelowna's Cultural district. The Alternator offers an 852-square-foot (791,534 cm²) main gallery space and a separate 77.5-square-foot (71,932 cm²) window gallery, as well as a lounge area. The Alternator also hosts an Artist-in-residence program and a Media Arts Centre in Studio 111, located in the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
As part of its mandate, the Alternator acknowledges its presence in unceded Syilx (Okanagan people's) territory and actively engages in this history, recognizing the context of the community in which it exists.
Year round, the Alternator presents exhibitions from emerging and mid-career Canadian and international artists; public programming including artist talks, workshops, fundraising events and panel discussions; artist residencies; and member access to the Media Arts Centre, a video production facility.
Media arts
In support of socially-engaged contemporary art, the Alternator strives to host yearly media festivals that highlight artists working in new and unusual ways.
Past projects include:
* Chatter and Whirr Unleashed, an initiative of the Pacific Association of Artist-Run Centres (PAARC)
* Fault Lines.
*On Common Ground, in partnership with the Independent Media Arts Alliance, the National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition, the Ullus Collective and UBC Okanagan.
* Video Salon 2008, curated by Joanne Gervais.
* Mother Tongue, curated by Cherie Stocken.
Wearable Art Gala
The Wearable Art Gala is the Alternator's annual fundraiser, which has enjoyed sold-out shows since its inception in March 2004 and is considered "one of the Okanagan's most unique and diverse art shows". Over 50 local and national artists and models (many of them students) typically take part and utilize art, fashion, video, sound and choreography in their WAG performances.
Prizes in past years have included People's Choice, Most Outrageous and Best Choreography. Canadian writer and UBC Okanagan professor Michael V. Smith has often acted as master of ceremonies for the event.
GeotagArt.com
GeotagArt.com is an innovative multimedia project that was started by the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art in collaboration with the Ullus Collective in celebration of the 100th anniversary of BC Parks. Artist Jennifer Pickering developed and curated the project.
GeotagArt.com uses QR code technology and wireless smartphone devices, such as a BlackBerry or iPhone to connect viewers to the project's digital content. Location-based artworks were created and placed throughout the City of Kelowna, with the majority of art located at Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. Other locations included the Kelowna Community Theatre, Tugboat Beach (part of the Waterfront Park), and the Alternator Centre itself.
Each location was identified by a special GeotagArt.com signpost.
Location
In 2002 the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art moved from its location on Bernard Avenue to the Rotary Centre for the Arts, within Kelowna's Cultural district. The Alternator offers an 852-square-foot (791,534 cm²) main gallery space and a separate 77.5-square-foot (71,932 cm²) window gallery, as well as a lounge area. The Alternator also hosts an Artist-in-residence program and a Media Arts Centre in Studio 111, located in the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
As part of its mandate, the Alternator acknowledges its presence in unceded Syilx (Okanagan people's) territory and actively engages in this history, recognizing the context of the community in which it exists.
Year round, the Alternator presents exhibitions from emerging and mid-career Canadian and international artists; public programming including artist talks, workshops, fundraising events and panel discussions; artist residencies; and member access to the Media Arts Centre, a video production facility.
Media arts
In support of socially-engaged contemporary art, the Alternator strives to host yearly media festivals that highlight artists working in new and unusual ways.
Past projects include:
* Chatter and Whirr Unleashed, an initiative of the Pacific Association of Artist-Run Centres (PAARC)
* Fault Lines.
*On Common Ground, in partnership with the Independent Media Arts Alliance, the National Indigenous Media Arts Coalition, the Ullus Collective and UBC Okanagan.
* Video Salon 2008, curated by Joanne Gervais.
* Mother Tongue, curated by Cherie Stocken.
Wearable Art Gala
The Wearable Art Gala is the Alternator's annual fundraiser, which has enjoyed sold-out shows since its inception in March 2004 and is considered "one of the Okanagan's most unique and diverse art shows". Over 50 local and national artists and models (many of them students) typically take part and utilize art, fashion, video, sound and choreography in their WAG performances.
Prizes in past years have included People's Choice, Most Outrageous and Best Choreography. Canadian writer and UBC Okanagan professor Michael V. Smith has often acted as master of ceremonies for the event.
GeotagArt.com
GeotagArt.com is an innovative multimedia project that was started by the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art in collaboration with the Ullus Collective in celebration of the 100th anniversary of BC Parks. Artist Jennifer Pickering developed and curated the project.
GeotagArt.com uses QR code technology and wireless smartphone devices, such as a BlackBerry or iPhone to connect viewers to the project's digital content. Location-based artworks were created and placed throughout the City of Kelowna, with the majority of art located at Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. Other locations included the Kelowna Community Theatre, Tugboat Beach (part of the Waterfront Park), and the Alternator Centre itself.
Each location was identified by a special GeotagArt.com signpost.
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