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Plein Air artistic event held at Allan Brooks Nature Centre as
part of BC Culture Days.

VERNON BC – With the recent nearby fires under control, air quality is slowly improving and that means a new and exciting BC Culture Days, Plein Air event at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre (ABNC)! It’s no secret that Major Allan Brooks, who the Centre is named after, was an
accomplished natural artist known for his wildlife appreciation and conservation.

What is PLEIN AIR? "En Plein Air" is simply a term for the French style of painting in the outdoors. That’s right, get outside, enjoy the fresh air, en PLEIN AIR, and create an artistic masterpiece in our gorgeous and endangered grassland habitat. Keely Schneider, event and volunteer coordinator at ABNC, is excited about this new event as part of BC Culture Days. “Robert Bateman attributes some of his
inspiration to the works of Allan Brooks and we’re very excited to support local artistic talent in this event,” said Schneider.

Artists of all styles, abilities and ages are invited to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre on October 7, to choose a spot and draw, paint or create their “en plein air" artistic expression of this beautiful Grassland Habitat. There’s plenty of visual material because artists and guests alike will be treated to a 360 degree view of the surrounding Valley, and 3 lakes.

“This is such a beautiful part of the valley and our community and artists won't want to miss out on this
affordable event,” said Schneider. “Prizes will be awarded for categories of Experienced, Emerging and Youth artists.” Assigned judges will
evaluate and assign winners some awesome prizes. Schneider hopes the event engages the community and creates awareness of the artists working in the North Okanagan while highlighting the incredible beauty of our endangered grassland habitat.

“Less than one percent of the province still has natural grassland, and yet that grassland ecosystem is home to a disproportionate amount of endangered species,” said Schneider. “It's a part of our environment that we sometimes take for granted, but it’s critical to so many animals,
and to ourselves.”

This event is sponsored by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) and The Allan Brooks
Nature Centre (ABNC) on Saturday, October 7 from 9 am - 3:30 pm. Artists can register for free on
the day-of, and choose a spot along the trail for the day. At 2pm, the artists will bring their art up to the centre for judging and refreshments. Artists must provide all of their own equipment and supplies. The public is welcome to come, enjoy the Centre and
the grounds, as they respectfully observe the artists' process. This is a "pay what you can" event, as the
Allan Brooks Nature Centre operates exclusively on donations. All funds go directly to support education and programming at the Centre!

Visitors Guide

Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial

Kelowna Visitor Centre: 

238 Queensway

Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6S4 Canada

1-800-663-4345

© 2023 Tourism Kelowna

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