Artists draw in the community

Two Okanagan College employees are unveiling their art to the world in a three-month exhibition in West Kelowna’s Grizzli Winery.

Karen Tessier and Olga Sediako are both part of the Okanagan Artist Coalition (OKAC), a group of artists from the valley who come together to connect and support each other in their artistic pursuits. Art from the group’s members will be featured in Grizzli Winery’s winter exhibit from Dec. 21 to Feb. 22, 2022.

Tessier works in International Education and Sediako is a Computer Science instructor. In their spare time, not only do they create art, they also mentor others through the OC Drop-In Art Evening, which ran once a month before the pandemic put a pause on gatherings and meetings.

Before working in International Education, Tessier taught a painting class for Continuing Studies. The idea for the drop-in night came about after she saw how much the students enjoyed being able to mingle with each other while they were painting.

“I had the tables set up in a way so people can just chit-chat with each other,” she said. “They seemed to enjoy the painting and the chatting just as much. Another staff member noticed and commented that maybe we should start an art night.”

And so the OC Drop-In Art Night was born, which ran for ten years. Tessier added that the drop-in night created such a tight group of people that half of the people who attended became the OKAC.

“I think they really like the feedback they get from each other and connecting with other likeminded people,” Tessier said. “Working together as a group is awesome, because you have support and can have an exchange of ideas.”

Sediako said art has always been a part of her life. She originally started her career as an industrial engineer and has since moved on to teaching, with art always a constant in her life. When she moved to Kelowna several years ago, a friend of hers brought her to OC Drop-In Night, where she was able to meet Tessier and other artists.

“I may be in Computer Science but I still like art. I like to be creative,” she said. “It’s an intrinsic feeling for me, that I have to create. I’ve been doing art for many years now, since childhood. That may not be the focus of my life or my purpose in life, but it is my need.”

For their upcoming Grizzli Winery exhibit, Sediako said the OKAC members all worked together to come up with the theme “Okanagan Rhapsody,” with the goal of celebrating the beauty of the region.

“We all appreciate the beauty of the surrounding sceneries, colours and various experiences we’ve had,” she said. “Many of us have travelled around, looking at different places to depict.”

Tessier said in all, there will be 14 artists from the group that will be participating in the exhibit. Both of them said they’re excited for the community to come out and see their art.

“For me, I’m always looking for people who connect with our art. I feel that art is our own need,” she said. “For us, it’s important that we make art that resonates with people and their own experiences.”

“You make art and you like art because you like being creative. It’s nice to put it out so you can share it with other people so they can enjoy it,” Tessier said.

Tessier and Sediako want to encourage the community to think about pursuing creative outlets, even as they work hard in their studies and careers.

“We feel that art is our own need,” Sediako said. “I believe that we are created to have an intrinsic desire to create something.”