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Cache Creek artist gets exposure at Kamloops exhibition

JudyLynn Davison will have two of her works on display at the Art Exposed Regional Exhibition.
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One of several of JudyLynn Davison’s paintings that were exhibited in Kamloops in 2017.

When the ninth annual Art Exposed Regional Exhibition kicks off in Kamloops on March 8, two works by Cache Creek artist JudyLynn Davison will be featured, and the artist—who has been exhibiting at Art Exposed since 2015—says the event is always lots of fun.

“You see all kinds of art there. There’s art from beginners, as well as from seasoned artists. It’s a good show.”

One of Davison’s pieces, “The Moonlight Run”, is a cartoon depicting numerous animals lining up for the start of a race. The other, called “The Secret Place” is, in Davison’s words, done in acrylic inks and angel wings, and is based on Psalm 91 (“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”).

“[Davison’s] work celebrates colour and humour, bringing smiles to faces (young and old!) as they view the artwork in the show,” says Lorel Sternig, the Kamloops Arts Council’s (KAC) events and programs manager. “We’re so fortunate to have such a variety of artists, photographers, sculptors, potters, and fibre artists that participate each year.”

Anyone exhibiting work at Art Exposed is asked to volunteer during the exhibition to help out. Davison enjoys the opportunity to speak to people visiting the exhibition. “It’s wonderful to talk to people,” she says. This year, for something different, she will be volunteering during the closing of the exhibition, as artists collect their works.

“Judy is one of our favourite artists,” says Sternig. “Not only is her work fun and bright, she is a wonderful volunteer and asset to the Kamloops Arts Council.”

Davison was born in Kamloops, and moved with her family to Alberta at the age of 10. She began cartooning while still in high school, and by the time she was 15 was selling a few of her works, as well as designing signs for local businesses. She studied fine arts at the University of Lethbridge, and now that she has retired has turned to painting as a full-time occupation.

In 2017, an exhibit of Davison’s artwork entitled “Giggles” was shown at the Old Courthouse Gallery in Kamloops. The exhibit featured 12 colourful paintings that were inspired by the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes.

Published in two parts in 1605 and 1615, the novel recounts the adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha, who sets out to restore chivalry and justice to the world, accompanied by his faithful squire Sancho Panza. The novel is considered the most influential one in the Spanish literary canon, and has long been a favourite of Davison’s.

“The storyline of the paintings follows the book,” she told The Journal in 2017. The first four paintings depicted main characters recast as colourful farmyard animals, with Don Quixote becoming Don QuiCHICKEN and Sancho Panza transformed into Poncho Ratza. The remaining paintings depicted incidents in the book, and all were accompanied by write-ups featuring quotes from the novel and information about what was going on.

“[The paintings are] almost like a storybook,” Davison told The Journal. “I had a lot of fun painting them. We’ve lost a lot of chivalry in the world, and doing what’s right. I don’t think many people have read the book, so I thought it would be interesting for the younger generation to read about it.”

Art Exposed, which is sponsored by the Kamloops Arts Council, is open to all artists in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, who are invited to submit artwork in any medium, be it 2D or 3D, in one of two categories: Emerging or Established. Many of the pieces exhibited are available for purchase, and a significant number of works are sold each year.

Several prizes are awarded, including a People’s Choice Award, an Artists’ Choice award, and an award for Youth Artist: Best in Show. Any regional artist is eligible to enter their artwork; you do not have to be a member of the KAC. The only stipulations are that work must have been created within the last two years, and it cannot previously have been exhibited at the Old Courthouse Gallery in Kamloops.

This year’s Art Exposed Regional Exhibition begins with an opening reception (which is open to the public) at the Old Courthouse Cultural Centre, 7 Seymour Street West, Kamloops on Friday, March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. (prizes will also be awarded at this time). The exhibition then runs through Saturday, March 16 every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.



editorial@accjournal.ca

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