The Rail Trail Plein Air Event on the Okanagan Rail Trail and a celebration for the end of GoByBike Week at Polson Park, will be held Sunday, June 9. (Arts Council of North Okanagan photo)

By Pete McIntyre

June 9

Residents invited to celebrate art and cycling

Jun 7, 2024 | 5:00 AM

Cycling and art will come together for two events this weekend in Greater Vernon.

The Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) and the City of Vernon are presenting the Rail Trail Plein Air Event on the Okanagan Rail Trail from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, followed by a celebration to wrap-up GoByBike Week at Polson Park from 3 to 5 p.m.

Plein Air event on Rail Trail (Arts Council of North Okanagan photo)

“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,”Shawna Patenaude, ACNO Executive Director, said.

“Through this collaboration with the City of Vernon, we hope to inspire creativity, foster community connections, and create lasting memories for all who participate.”

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Taking place along the Rail Trail from the 0KM entrance off College Way in Coldstream to Kekuli Bay to Oyama, the Plein Air event allows 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 can use the Kekuli Bay Provincial Park location in the parking lot just above the trail.

Representatives from Friends of the Okanagan Rail Trail (FORT) will be on the trail in bright green high-visibility vests to answer any questions.

Art on the Rail Trail (Arts Council of the North Okanagan photo)

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.

People are advised to bring a chair to 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.

“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,” Patenaude remarked.

For more information on the Rail Trail Plein Air event, visit https://acno.ca/event/rail-trail-plein-air-event-3.

by Pete McIntyre

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