BFA students Eve Lexi and Sara Richardson with their painting on the Town Wall at the Lake Country Art Gallery, 2021
Spring! FCCS’s spring festival of the arts brings a myriad of events and happenings to the UBC O campus and to the city of Kelowna.
The Spring festival of the arts covers the spectrum of artistic adventures by students, faculty and guest artists through performances, film screenings, spoken word events, guest lectures, and art exhibitions in drawing, painting, sculpture and photography.
The Spring Festival is supported by the Rotary Centre for the Arts, the Lake Country Art Gallery, the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, and the City of Kelowna.
Spring has sprung with healthy distancing…we are planning to showcase our student work from visual arts, creative writing, and media studies in various venues around town that the community will be able to enjoy on their own time. In addition to these happenings, we are planning some virtual and in-person readings and artist talks.
Come out and see what’s been germinating over the winter. Whether online or offline, it’s time to soak up some art!
PONY Cabaret | Thursday, February 9
Mary Irwin Theatre, RCA, 421 Cawston Ave | 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Miss Cookie LaWhore, Pony showcases performers across a variety of disciplines. Read more…
Short Story Contest Winners Announcement | Thursday, April 6
Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art| 7:00 p.m.
Corinna Chong will announce the winners of this year’s short story contest, with a chance to hear readings by the winners. Click HERE for more information on the contest.
BFA Student Exhibition | March 1 to April 27
Galleria, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. | Daily
Exhibition of student work curated by visual arts instructor, Katherine Pickering
Art on the Line | Saturday, March 18
EME Building (lower foyer), UBCO campus | doors open at 5:30pm
The evening is an entertaining art raffle with many more exciting prizes available to be won. Over 100 works of art are collected from local artists, faculty, and students. One ticket admits two people to the event, and guarantees winning one work of art from the collection. More info…
4th year BFA/BMS Student Exhibition: Forty Feet Forward | April 21 to 28
CCS Building, UBC Okanagan | Opening Reception: April 21, 2023 6pm
The 4th year BFA and BMS graduation show highlights a wide variety of artists’ works created over the course of the year. The collection will include sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, digital media and printmaking. Read more…
Student Okanagan Film Festival | May 8
Mary Irwin Theatre, RCS, 421 Cawston Ave | 7:00 pm
The festival showcases short films from a wide range of genres including mini-documentary, experimental, music videos, animation, short narrative & more. More info…
Street Art Banners | April to September
Arts Commons – space between the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Kelowna Art Gallery
Street poles adorned with banners of student, faculty and alumni artwork. This project is supported by the City of Kelowna.
Skin Hunger exhibition installation shot, showing the work of Pip Dryden and Jorden Doody, 2021
Photography and Creative Writing students worked with visual arts instructor Andreas Rutkauskas and Creative Writing prof Matt Rader to create these collaborative postcards. Available at the Tourism Centre and the Kelowna Art Gallery, 2021
Printmaking exhibition showcasing BFA alumni work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
Printmaking exhibition showcasing BFA alumni work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
BFA students Eve Lexi and Sara Richardson with their finished painting on the Town Wall at the Lake Country Art Gallery, 2021
BFA alumna Joanne Gervais and Shauna Oddleifson’s installation, Sea Dreams, on the Town Wall at the Lake Country Art Gallery, 2021
Spring, Sprang, Sprung exhibition showcasing BFA and MFA student work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
Spring, Sprang, Sprung exhibition showcasing BFA and MFA student work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
Spring, Sprang, Sprung exhibition showcasing BFA and MFA student work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
Spring, Sprang, Sprung exhibition showcasing BFA and MFA student work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. This is the work of Natasha Harvey, MFA student, 2021
Spring, Sprang, Sprung exhibition showcasing BFA and MFA student work at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 2021
Banners along the Arts Walk and Arts Commons in downtown Kelowna showing the work of BFA and MFA students, alumni as well as faculty, 2021
Banners along the Arts Walk and Arts Commons in downtown Kelowna showing the work of BFA and MFA students, alumni as well as faculty, 2021
Psst… | April 8 to 10
University Theatre, UBC Okanagan. 7-9pm nightly, tickets $15 at the door.
Performances by second and fourth year theatre students. More information…
Shadows and Light | Thursday, April 14
University Theatre (ADM 026) UBC Okanagan Campus | 7:00 p.m.
Fourth-year performance students: Shadows and Light explores liminal identities, images and spaces.
PONY Cabaret | Thursday, February 9
Black Box Theatre | 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Miss Cookie LaWhore, Pony showcases performers across a variety of disciplines.
Papershell Anthology Launch | Thursday, March 31
Online virtual event | 2:00 p.m
Annual publication showcasing student work from the Creative Writing Program. Papershell Anthology
Short Story Contest Winners Announcement | Thursday, March 31
Downtown Regional Library | 7:00 p.m.
Naben Ruthnum will announce the winners of this year’s short story contest, with a chance to hear readings by the winners. Click HERE for more information on the contest.
Annual Sharon Thesen Lecture | Wednesday, April 6
Hybrid event | 7:00 p.m.
Creative Writing professor Matt Rader will present the third Annual Sharon Thesen Lecture. Click HERE for more information. This event will be in-person in ADM 026 at UBCO Okanagan, and also via livestream for virtual attendance.
MFA Student Book Launch | Thursday, April 14
Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art | 7:00 pm
Launch for two new books by current MFA Creative Writing students, Umar Turaki’s novel Such a Beautiful Thing to Behold, and Brianna Ferguson A Nihilist Walks into a Bar. More information…
Creative Writing Book Launch | Thursday, April 21
Woodhaven Eco Culture Centre | 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Launch for two new books of poetry by creative writing profs Nancy Holmes, Arborophobia, and Matt Rader, Ghosthawk. With readings by students: Natalie Rice, Sharon Franklet, Mackenzie Tennant, Mathew Wanbon.
Light Up Kelowna | March 1 to April 30
Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. | 6:00 to 10pm daily
Projections on the outside of the RCA windows of student, alumni and faculty work. This project is supported by ARTSCO and the RCA. Find out more…
BFA Student Exhibition | March 11 to April 22
Alternator Centre Members Gallery, 421 Cawston Ave. | Daily
Exhibition of student work curated by visual arts instructor, David Doody
4th year BFA/BMS Student Exhibition: When This Is Over | April 22 to May 11
CCS Building, UBC Okanagan | Opening Reception: April 22, 2022 7pm
The 4th year BFA and BMS graduation show highlights a wide variety of artists’ works created over the course of the year. The collection will include sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, digital media and printmaking. Read more…
BFA Student Exhibition | April 1 to May 25
Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. | Daily
Exhibition of student work curated by visual arts instructor, Connor Charlesworth
Student Okanagan Film Festival | April 27
Mary Irwin Theatre, RCS, 421 Cawston Ave | 7:00 pm
The festival showcases short films from a wide range of genres including mini-documentary, experimental, music videos, animation, short narrative & more. More info…
Street Art Banners | April to September
Arts Commons – space between the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Kelowna Art Gallery
Street poles adorned with banners of student, faculty and alumni artwork. This project is supported by the City of Kelowna.
In addition to all of these opportunities for students to showcase their work and virtual events, students along with creative writing students have produced a set of postcards.
March 1 to April 30 | Exhibition: Spring, Sprang, Sprung
Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. | Daily
Exhibition of student, alumni and faculty work.
March 1 to April 30 | Light Up Kelowna
Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave. | 6:00 to 10pm daily
Projections on the outside of the RCA windows of student, alumni and faculty work. This project is supported by ARTSCO and the RCA. Find out more…
March 4 to 29 | Exhibition: Skin Hunger
FINA Gallery, CCS Building UBC Okanagan Campus| Mondays to Fridays 9am-4pm
This exhibition explores the international issue of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of physical distancing through a student-organized art exhibition. Find out more…
Friday, March 26 | Papershell Anthology Launch
Online virtual event | 7:00 p.m.
Annual publication showcasing student work from the Creative Writing Program. Event info…
April 1 to September 1 | Mural: Natasha Harvey
Lake Country Art Gallery, 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Rd. | Daily
Mural painting by MFA student Natasha Harvey
April 1 to May 1 | Town Wall: Eve Lexi and Sara Richardson
Lake Country Art Gallery, 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Rd. | Daily
Painting by BFA students on the wall outside of the LCAG.
April 7 to Aug 31 | Apple Box Exploratorium AR Tour
Laurel Square, outside of the Laurel Packinghouse
Augmented reality (AR) game and interactive historical guide developed by BMS student Chloe Chang. Find out more…
April 15 to May 1 | Town Wall: Joanne Gervais and Shauna Oddleifson
Lake Country Art Gallery, 10356 Bottom Wood Lake Rd. | Daily
Painting by BFA alumna on the wall outside of the LCAG.
April 12 to 26| Exhibition: Up Close from a Distance
The 4th year BFA graduation show highlights a wide variety of artists’ works created over the course of the year. The collection will include sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, digital media and printmaking.
Friday, April 16 | Short Story Contest Winners Announcement
Online virtual event | 7:00 p.m.
Frances Greenslade will announce the winners of this year’s short story contest, with a chance to hear readings by the winners. Click HERE for more information and to register.
Thursday, April 29 | Annual Sharon Thesen Lecture
Online virtual event | 7:00 p.m.
Creative Writing professor Kevin Chong will present the second Annual Sharon Thesen Lecture. Click HERE for more information and to register.
April to September | Street Art Banners
Arts Commons – space between the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Kelowna Art Gallery
Street poles adorned with banners of student, faculty and alumni artwork. This project is supported by the City of Kelowna.
In addition to all of these opportunities for students to showcase their work and virtual events, students along with creative writing students have produced a set of postcards that will be available at the Kelowna Tourism Centre.
Due to conditions with the COVID-19 outbreak, the 2020 festival events were either cancelled or postponed.
Kelowna will be a hub of activity during the 2020 festival.
Come out and see what’s been germinating over the winter. It’s time to get out of the house!
Saturday, March 7 | Creative Days Workshop – Drawing with Patrick Lundeen
Creative and Critical studies Building, UBCO Campus | noon to 2 p.m.
Fun, hands on workshops for all ages in our community.
Monday, March 9 | Visiting Artist Series – Krista Belle Stewart
UNC 106, 3272 University Way, UBCO Campus | 2:00 p.m.
Krista Belle Stewart is an artist and member of the Syilx Nation, and will talk about her studio art practice.
Cancelled: Saturday, March 21 |Creative Days Workshop – Creative Writing with Nancy Holmes
Creative and Critical studies Building, UBCO Campus | 10 a.m. to noon
Fun, hands on workshops for all ages in our community.
Cancelled: Wednesday, March 25 | Okanagan Short Story Contest Winner Announcement
Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna | 7:00 p.m.
Writer in Residence, John Lent, will announce the winners of this year’s short story contest, with a chance to hear readings by the winners.
Cancelled: Tuesday, April 7 | Piano Concert
University Ballroom (UNC 200) | 1:00 p.m
Internationally renowned Spanish pianist Leopoldo Erice will perform “Beethoven’s Deafness: From Silence to Creation” in a free concert at UBC Okanagan.
Postponed to Nov. 21, 2020: Friday, April 10 | Pony Cabaret
BlackBox Theatre (Kelowna Community Theatre) | 7:00 p.m.
Pony Cabaret is a fundraiser for the Living Positive Resource Centre. It features some of Kelowna’s sassiest performers. Hosted by Miss Cookie La Whore, showcasing a variety of talent from comics, burlesque, spoken word, and music-makers.
Cancelled: Friday, April 17 | Draw By Night
Okanagan Co-Lab, 1405 St. Paul Street, Kelowna | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Draw By Night combines drawing and socializing. Come armed with your favourite drawing utensil or just bring yourself and you can use our stuff. We will provide drawing materials and long stretches of paper.
Cancelled: Saturday, April 18 |Creative Days Workshop – Tour of the BFA Student Exhibition
Creative and Critical studies Building, UBCO Campus | 10 a.m. to noon
Join visual arts instructor Andreas Rutkauskas for a tour through the BFA graduating student exhibition.
Cancelled: Thursday, April 23 | BFA Student Graduating Exhibition Opening Reception
Creative and Critical Studies Building, 1148 Research Road | 7:00 p.m.
This BFA Visual Arts graduation show includes a wide variety of artists’ works including sculpture, photography, drawing, painting, digital media and printmaking.
Note: The BFA exhibition will be available for viewing on an online platform. Stay tuned for updates.
Cancelled: Thursday, April 30 | Okanagan Student Film Festival
Innovation Centre Theatre, 460 Doyle Ave. | 7:00 p.m.
SOFF celebrates emerging student filmmakers of the Okanagan Valley.
Tuesday, April 3 | Points of View – screening of documentary shorts
University Theatre, ADM 026, 1138 Alumni Ave, UBC Okanagan Campus, Kelowna | 4-6pm
Join us for a series of short documentary films produced by students in third year Documentary Production (VISA 371).
For more information contact: denise.kenney@ubc.ca
Tuesday, April 3 | Readings by Creative Writing Students
Milkcrate Records, 527 LKawrence Ave | 7pm
Thursday, April 5 – Sunday, April 8 | Here and Now – The only way to fly is to stand still!
University Theatre, ADM 026, 1138 Alumni Ave, UBCO Campus, Kelowna | April 5-7 @7pm, and April 7 & 8 @ 2pm
A show created by UBCO performance students about the art of living in your own story. An evening of movement, music, poetry and small (but wide) moments. This show is suitable for all ages. Tickets $5 at the door or contact Denise Kenney: denise.kenney@ubc.ca
Friday, April 6 | Truth or Consequences
Black Box Theatre, 1375 Water St, Kelowna | 7pm both nights, plus a 2pm showing on April 8
An interactive performance; come play a game about the power of lies, the hidden truth in the stories we share, and the freedom in accepting consequences.
Book online through Eventbrite.com
Thursday, April 12 | Eco Art Incubator Double Bill
Living Building: The Ethel Lane House (Denise Knney) and Daylighting the Classroom (Shimshon Obadia)
Innovation Theatre, Innovation Centre, 460 Doyle Ave, Kelowna | 7-9pm
Imagine a building designed to function like a flower! Imagine a classroom designed by nature and the determination of middle school students! Two documentaries; two inspiring stories.
Tickets by donation at the door, or contact: denise.kenney@ubc.ca
Thursday, April 12 to Tuesday, April 24 | 20 Twenty – 2018 BFA Graduation Exhibition
Creative and Critical Studies Building, 1148 Research Rd, Kelowna | daily 10am-4pm; Thursday & Friday 10am-8pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, April 21 | 7-10pm
This exhibition showcases work by 4th year visual arts students and 4th year interdisciplinary performance students.
Wednesday, April 18 to Saturday, April 21| Traces: An Audio-Conscious Exploration of Memory, Boarders & Space
702 Bernard Ave, Kelowna | Showings every 30 mins, 6-9pm
Traces is a performance that explores the memories of another through audio immersive story-telling.
Tickets are by donation to the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society. Book times online
Saturday April 21 | Creative Days Tour of the BFA Year-End Graduation Exhibition
Creative and Critical Studies Building, 1148 Research Rd, Kelowna | 10am-12pm
Attend a free tour to view and discuss the best works of our graduating visual arts and performance students.
RSVP to: briar.craig@ubc.ca
Sunday, April 28 | Pony Cabaret
Black Box Theatre, 1375 Water St, Kelowna | Doors open at 7:30pm, Cabaret at 8pm, dance afterparty 10pm-midnight.
The third annual Pony cabaret features some of Kelowna’s sassiest performers. Hosted by Cookie, showcasing a variety of talent from comics, burlesque, spoken word, and music-makers. All proceeds go to LPRC.
Tickets at the door: Students $10, Adults $10 or pay what you can
Monday, April 30 | 3rd Annual Student Okanagan Film Festival
Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna | 7pm
SOFF continues a tradition of celebrating emerging student filmmakers of the Okanagan Valley, and will showcase short films from a wide range of genres including mini-documentary, experimental, music videos, animation, and much more!
Admission: By Donation