A key focus of Kamloops based artist Donald Lawrence’s practice has been the merging of art, technology and science. Through pinhole camera and camera obscura projects, Lawrence’s work draws upon early optical and image-making devices, and centres on conventions of illusion that emerged through the use of these technologies in 19th century European culture (though their origins lay in previous times and in other cultures).
Lawrence’s cameras obscura have emerged as site-specific projects that revisit early photographic technology through experiences outside the gallery context. As part of his Kamloops Art Gallery exhibition Casting the Eye Adrift (on until December 31, 2020), Lawrence has created a new camera obscura tent structure that is installed on the canopy of the Paramount Theatre, called the Paramount Camera Obscura. This project is a partnership with the Kamloops Film Society. Reflecting Lawrence’s interest in the connection between urban and “wilderness” cultures, and our romantic relationship to nature, the structure looks like a rustic camping shelter.
The phrase, camera obscura, is Latin for “darkened chamber” or “dark room.” The camera obscura is a device that admits light through a small opening (often fitted with a glass lens) into a box or darkened space to project an upside down image of the outside world onto a surface inside the box or space.
With this work, visitors are invited to enter the tent structure and sit on vintage theatre seats to experience a new view of the intersection at Victoria and 5th Avenue as an upside down projected image.
Guided Tours for 2 people at a time (or family groups of 3) offered through September.
TOUR HOURS OF OPERATION
Tuesdays 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Please bring a mask
Social distancing and sanitizing protocols will be in place
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Please self-assess before visiting the Gallery and please stay home if you are not feeling well.
- The Gallery will limit the capacity on public tours of the Camera Obscura to two (2) visitors at a time, unless a family of three (3).
- All visitors and staff must maintain a two-metre distance from each other when not in the Camera Obscura tent. Family groups may remain together. Children must stay with an adult at all times.
- Please bring and wear a mask during the tour. Masks will also be available.
- Visitors will be greeted in the lobby of the Paramount Theatre when they enter the building and safety protocols and exhibition information will be shared.
- Visitors may be directed to a designated waiting area before being escorted by a KAG Tour Guide up to the Paramount Camera Obscura viewing experience.
- The Tour Guide will escort visitors up stairwell and into the tent of the Paramount Camera Obscura
- The Tour Guide will unzip/zip the tent to permit visitor entry/exit
- There are three (3) seats in the tent. Only two (2) visitors will be allowed in the tent at a time, and visitors will be asked to leave the centre seat empty, unless viewing as a family of three (3).
- The tour involves a closed-in viewing experience where physical distancing is not entirely possible, which is why we ask everyone to wear a mask and sanitize their hands upon entry and exit.
- Hand sanitation stations have been placed in the lobby and stringent cleaning practices are in place for the viewing experience. The public washroom in the Paramount Theatre will be closed.
- High-touch points, such as door handles, seats and tent zippers, will be cleaned after each use.
- Exhibition Guides are available for personal use and if returned, following your visit, they will be re-used after a week in quarantine.
- Located on the canopy of the Paramount Theatre, accessing the Paramount Camera Obscura involves climbing 16 stairs up a narrow staircase (78 cm wide), travelling through a narrow passageway (68 cm wide) and through a narrow doorway (61 cm wide) to the roof. Above all, we look forward to seeing you at the Gallery. For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Province of British Columbia’s website. For additional information about the Gallery’s safety measures and procedures, please contact kamloopsartgallery [at] kag.bc.ca.
The Kamloops Art Gallery re-opened on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Gallery!
In re-opening, our priority is the safety of all visitors and staff. Following government guidelines, new protocols are in place to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable visit.
We will continue to monitor the safety needs of all visitors and staff, and will adapt as necessary. We thank you for your patience and cooperation, and we welcome your feedback.
For any inquiries or to provide comments, please contact kamloopsartgallery@kag.bc.ca.
NEW GALLERY HOURS OF OPERATION
Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday admission free thanks to support from BCLC.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Please self-assess before visiting the Gallery and please stay home if you are not feeling well.
- The Gallery will limit the capacity in the Central Gallery, The Cube and The Gallery Store and has floor markers and signage to share maximum occupancy.
- All visitors and staff must maintain a two-metre distance from each other. Family groups may remain together. Children must stay with an adult at all times.
- Visitors will be greeted when they enter the building and new safety protocols and exhibition information will be shared.
- Plexiglas barriers have been installed at the Admissions Desk. Floor decals indicate appropriate spacing.
- Hand sanitation stations have been placed at various locations and stringent cleaning practices are in place throughout the Gallery.
- The TNRD public washroom in the Atrium are closed for the time being. Visitors may use the washroom in the Gallery Store. All washrooms will be cleaned every hour or, if necessary, every 30 minutes.
- High-touch points, such as door handles, will be cleaned after use.
- Exhibition Guides are available for personal use and if returned, following your visit, they will be re-used after a week in quarantine.
- A video tour of Donald Lawrence’s exhibition, Casting the Eye Adrift, will be available online in the coming weeks.
Above all, we look forward to seeing you, at the Gallery.
For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Province of British Columbia’s website.
For additional information about the Gallery’s safety measures and procedures, please contact kamloopsartgallery@kag.bc.ca.
Image: Artist Donald Lawrence (centre) with friends and KAG staff with Torhamvan/Ferryland, 2005 now at the Kamloops Art Gallery. Photo: Kim Anderson.
Field Trip: Art Across Canada is a new online platform to deliver arts experiences with some of Canada's most celebrated artists in a national partnership with leading arts organizations. From children's programs to artist talks and workshops, these activities are designed to advance the work of our nation's organizations through digital platforms for different age groups, on a range of subjects, that engage communities and support artists, particularly during the challenges presented during a pandemic. A new Field Trip is posted nearly every day.
Visit Field Trips for artist's talks, programs and workshops from across Canada.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, the Gallery held it's first online, LIVE event featuring a field trip to Donald Lawrence’s home studio for a glimpse into his process as he works on completing his Paramount Camera Obscura. Charo Neville, Curator, Kamloops Art Gallery, joined Lawrence virtually for a conversation about this new work in relation to his practice, the history of cameras obscura and his upcoming exhibition at the KAG. A recording of this event is featured on the Gallery's Facebook page and via the link below.
Thank you to the 100+ people who registered to attend this first event and the 700+ more that are catching this studio visit online.
A recording of this event is featured on the Gallery's Facebook page and via the link below.
The Mayor's Gala for the Arts was a stunning success. A sold out event that saw $67,000 raised in support of the Kamloops Art Gallery, Kamloops Symphony and Western Canada Theatre.
Enjoy a look at the evening's photos here and we look forward to celebrating with you again in 2021. Stay tuned for event and theme details to come later this year.
Our thanks to the Mayor's Gala for the Arts working committee for helping realize such a beautiful event and to all the sponsors, donors and guests who shared their support for a vibrant arts community in Kamloops.
Image: Emily-May Photography
Congratulations to this year's recipients of the Mayor's Awards for the Arts. This year’s awards were presented at the 13th annual Mayor’s Gala for the Arts on Saturday, January 18, 2020.
Corporate Champion, which recognizes outstanding Kamloops business leaders and/or medium to large businesses/corporations that have made a significant contribution supporting local arts and culture through donations (cash or in-kind), sponsorships and/or volunteer services in support of a local arts organization and/or Kamloops artist, was awarded to Lee’s Music.
Emerging Artist, which recognizes an emerging Kamloops artist working in the visual and/or performing arts for their current accomplishments and future potential, was awarded to Marcella Barz.
Enduring Supporter, which recognizes the long-serving and foundational commitment of an outstanding individual through contributions that have furthered the success of one or more of Kamloops’ arts organizations, was awarded to Michael Powell.
Details about each of the award winners is here and we congratulate them and all the nominees on their important contributions to arts in Kamloops.
Mayor Ken Christian with Bonnie McLean, Lee's Music; Marcella Barz and Michael Powell. Image: Emily-May Photography
Become a member
Make a donation
| Description | Amount | Remove |
|---|---|---|
| Total | $0.00 |