Abbotsford Arts Council

05/31/2024

Important gallery & The Big Tiny update! 📢‼️

⚠️ Kariton Gallery closed until further notice, The Big Tiny Postponed❕

The Kariton Art Gallery and Abbotsford Arts Council office are closed until further notice. This unplanned closure is due to a small fire, which damaged some of the exterior wall. The fire also caused some staining to the interior basement stairwell and a lingering smoke smell. The fire was quickly extinguished, and while no staff were hurt and there is no water damage to the building, the gallery is closed until it has been assessed and repaired. In the meantime, fans and air purifiers are running continuously in the gallery to help with aeration, and staff are temporarily working from home.

There is no obvious damage to any member materials or equipment stored in the basement storage areas, nor to any artwork or items in the main gallery, gift shop, staff offices, or the Downie Wenjack Legacy Space.

Due to the unforeseen closure, June’s exhibition, the third annual Big Tiny has been postponed. We do not yet have a new date for the exhibition and will notify artists and visitors once a new time has been confirmed.

The Abbotsford Arts Council and the City of Abbotsford are working quickly and as diligently as possible to make sure the gallery can safely reopen. We are grateful for the support Abbotsfordians have shown us and look forward to when we can once again share with you in person the visions, creativity, and energy of artists in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley.

05/18/2024

The Kariton Gallery will be closed until further notice! We apologize for any inconvenience. Please stay tuned for updates.

04/26/2024

Coming soon to the Kariton!

Coming soon! 👀
Pedagogy
by Krystal Charlston
May 4 – 25, 2024

Artist Statement:
I am fascinated by education theory and history, and I am dedicated to using my work to challenge established concepts in Canadian education. Through sculpture, installation, photography, and video, I aim to reveal the damage that these concepts can cause to society. As both a former student and current educator in British Columbia, I bring a unique perspective to this exploration, drawing on my personal experiences to shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by many students today.

My latest series focuses specifically on the faults in pedagogy, using familiar classroom objects like desks, chairs, books, and technology to highlight the issues at hand. By adapting or modifying these objects, I can reveal the criticisms of the education system in Canada and invite viewers to engage with the problems in a tangible and relatable way.

Through my art practice, I hope to educate others on what’s been missing in the Canadian education system and inspire change. I believe that by challenging established concepts and revealing the damage they can cause, we can work towards building a better future for students and society as a whole.

For more information visit ➡️ abbotsfordartscouncil.com/pedagogy/

04/07/2024

Are you an artist in Abbotsford? 🖌️🎨Applications for the Abbotsford Artist in Residence have now opened. We are looking for someone who can commit for a term from May to November and whose work fits the theme of Social Connection and Wellbeing.

❕Applications close April 21, 2024 at midnight.

ℹ️ For more information on the
program, please visit abbotsford.ca/artist-
in-residence

04/07/2024

Now showing!✨

Into The Woods🐻🪵🌲
By Chris Johnston & Jake Muller
April 6 – 27, 2024

Welcome to “Into The Woods” – an enchanting art exhibition showcasing the captivating works of Chris Johnston and Jake Muller. Prepare to be transported into a world where bears and woodland creatures come to life on canvas, inviting you to explore the beauty and mystery of the forest. Delve deeper into the artists’ perspectives as they present an aerial view of a unique juxtaposition – the intricate intertwining of human development through roads and the imagined community of forests. Through their art, Johnston and Muller invite you to ponder the delicate balance between nature and civilization, offering a thought-provoking reflection on our impact on the world around us. Step into this immersive experience and let your imagination soar amidst the trees and creatures that inhabit this captivating realm.

02/03/2024

✨Now Showing✨
Life In Legends
by James Groening (Blue Sky)
February 3 – April 27, 2024

Artist Statement:
“My art is a journey of healing and growth where I attempt to regain a sense of cultural understanding that was lost. I was born in the 60s and raised in a farm community, far removed from any Native art, but interested in learning about my heritage. At age 24, I met my maternal mother and told her I knew my Indian name, Blue Sky. She was surprised but said that Blue Sky was only the first part of my name and the second was lost in time. This is fitting for my life. Lost in a time when things were hard for natives, and now, I am searching for my shadow, as the story goes.

I began learning about Native art and found that I liked the west coast style, and I bought a few prints. I loved the hummingbird I bought and started drawing it and other things I have seen. After purchasing an original painting set by Mark Anthony Jacobson, I found that the Woodland School of Art was a whole new area of art closer to my ancestors.

Today, I make Woodland-style native art where I paint legends and whimsical wildlife on things I make like drums and an eagle head staff. It is very important to convey what I learn about my culture through legends and teachings because generations have lost so much information and a sense of cultural identity. It is also easier to learn a complex truth through a cheerful medium like painting. For example, my work, Turtle Legend, teaches children where they live on Turtle Island in a way they can comprehend.

I seem to find a peaceful balance when doing art, which brings some relief in these hectic times. I hope to learn more and contribute to the art world by creating and teaching those who want to learn. I think this is the way forward for our cultural heritage to heal and grow.

Meegwetch”

02/03/2024

✨Now Showing✨
Nature Through The Lens
by Bob St. Cyr & Kirsty Paterson
February 3 – 24, 2024
In Person & Online

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, February 3rd from 12-2pm. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

About the Artists:

Bob St. Cyr

As a photographic artist I’m interested in the entire process from image composition to interpreting the negative into a silver-gelatin print when possible and presenting it to the community. I also welcome opportunities to share my work in print and through public exhibitions here in Canada and internationally. I still find it exciting to learn new things and welcome new ways to visually present my work, so have begun to explore a visual expression through painting and through alternative processes, for example, cyanotype and lumen printing as I continue to follow the Light.

Kirsty Paterson

After taking a freighter from Vancouver to Alaska, Kirsty emigrated from Scotland to Canada. Ever curious, she travelled to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Arctic. These experiences instilled an appreciation for diversity in landscape, art and culture, as well as creative risk-taking.