Summerland nurtures a thriving arts community with sculptures, banners and murals in public spaces, the Summerland Arts Centre & Gallery downtown, and more than 40 private studios and galleries spread around town. Artists and artisans invite visitors into their studios to see their paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, wirework, folk art, quilts, hand spun home knits, woodcarving, wrought iron and garden art. Subjects, motifs and designs are often inspired by Summerland's natural surroundings; the massive presence of Giant's Head Mountain, artfully sculpted clay banks, blue waters of Okanagan Lake, fruit blossoms , grape vines, forests and wildlife.
Public Art
Hand painted banners created by local artists enliven lampposts in downtown Summerland while stone sculptures in public spaces make a lasting statement. Have a look at the Voice of Mother Earth near the museum and Fruit of the Earth at the Municipal Hall. A pottery frieze depicting Shakespearean characters reflects downtown Summerland's Tudor theme and hints at the quality of exhibitions by local artists inside. Keep an eye out for larger-than-life murals. One showstopper fills the front wall of the packinghouse, illustrating the town's agricultural history.
Studios & Galleries
Downtown and around town, discover the work of Summerland artists and artisans. Paintings in watercolour, oil and acrylic depict everything from Okanagan landscapes to jazz themes. Some studios are open regular hours, others by appointment. Visit Will Enns Art Gallery, Bruce Crawford Studio, the Calvin R Gallery and Ingrid Winkler. Sage Fine Art Gallery features Janice Blackie-Goodine and five more Summerland painters. Drop by Stacy Studios and take in the painting of Ron Stacy and the acrylics, sterling silver jewelry and hand sculpted art dolls of Marcia Stacy. The DeLong Studio, nestled in a lush garden in the Trout Creek area of Summerland, specializes in original sterling silver jewelry designs, hand crafted on site.
Hermesh Studio displays the sculpture of Michael Hermesh along with the photography and digital art of Carol Hermesh. Ceramics lovers, check out Phia Pottery, Jean Evanishen, Cal Trauter and the Summerland Potters Guild for clay crafts. Angela Hook creates continuous wire sculptures. West Coast master carver Michael Komick produces masks and other pieces in First Nations motifs while Ted Howell works his magic in wrought iron.
Bush Art Gardens and More
For a truly whimsical transformation of junk to garden art, drive out on Canyon View Road and see Bush Art Gardens. It's free to look and purchases are on the honour system.Stop by the Summerland Visitor Centre on Highway 97 for brochures on Summerland artists, galleries and studios, details on hours of operation and contact information.