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Oxygen Art Market returns for 5th year

Hundreds of art lovers will flock to Oxygen Art Centre for the annual market on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
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Miriam Needoba

Every year, the Oxygen Art Market attracts hundreds of art-lovers to the Oxygen Art Centre. And it’s no wonder. Over 40 established and emerging Kootenay artists submit their paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and other 2D work for this weekend-long event.

The work is hung “Salon” style, in the manner of the Académie des Beaux–Arts exhibitions in Paris at the turn of the century, where work was hung on every available wall space from ceiling to floor. With over 150 pieces on display, the hanging is a major undertaking for the volunteer committee, and it makes for a striking event.

Oxygen Art Market is an opportunity to experience first-hand the breadth of work made by West Kootenay artists, and to get yourself a piece of original, locally-made art! With fifty percent of the sales given to the Oxygen Art Centre, the Art Market has become an important fundraiser for the Centre.

Oxygen is governed by a board of professional visual artists, filmmakers, theatre artists and writers. As one of Canada’s 100 or so artist-run centres, Oxygen shares the common mandate to provide an alternative forum for contemporary art, outside of commercial constraints and interests, while recognizing artists through the payment of professional fees.

The market will take place Friday, May 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 320 Vernon St. (back alley entrance) in Nelson.