Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program is managed by the foundations Visual Arts Coordinator, Carrie Klukas, and a Volunteer Visual Arts Committee.

As well as maintaining the collection of the hospital, the Visual Arts Committee overseas the Courtyard Gallery on Level – 0 of the hospital.  This gallery provides a venue for local and regional artists to show and sell their work.  A commission is retained from all work sold in the gallery to assist in maintaining our permanent collection.  The cubes are also part of the Visual Arts displays.

The Visual Arts Committee is involved in every aspect of the Foundations Events.   The Visual Arts Committee’s involvement with the Festival of Trees includes our live auction, gift shop, set design, the very fabric or canvas behind the Festival each year.  Thank you to the Visual Arts Committee for their assistance in coordinating these projects for the Foundation.

The Visual Arts Committee aids me in accomplishing projects here at the Hospital.  For example this group volunteered many hours painting and buliding props for the Open Air Garden.  So it is with a little sadness that I have to say goodbye to two lovely ladies who sat on this committee for a few years each, Linda Henderson and Janet Enfield.  Both artists in their own right, they have been a joy to work with and to create with.  ~Carrie Klukas

The Visual Art Committee members include:

Carrie Klukas
Kim Walker
Blain Askew
Mary Dahr
Charlette LaCount
Irene Nicolson

Gallery Exhibit March – April

The latest exhibition to be installed in the Courtyard Gallery is a series of quilts made by “Faye Oszli”.  This name may sound familiar to many of you because Faye used to manage the Gift Shop here at the Hospital.  I say used to because sadly she has left recently to go work at another business.

Faye started her passion with quilts some 15 years ago.  She went on to even open a quilt shop with her sister.  Since moving to Grande Prairie a few years ago she may not have the shop any more but she still quilts as often as she can.

This exhibition will be on display until the end of April.

Cube Exhibit January – February

Courtyard Cubles is currently exhibiting works from various First Nation and Métis artists from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre. 

These works will remain on display until the end of March, at which time a sculptural exhibit will be installed by Candace Gunsolley.

If you have questions about the Visual Arts, exhibitions or purchasing works, plese call me (Carrie Klukas) at (780) 830-4855.

The Rooftop Garden Project:

The Visual Arts Program, with the assistance of 20 incredible volunteers, began physically upgrading and rejuenating the “Open Air Garden” located on the rooftop adjacent to the Pediatric Ward this past summer.  The actual conseptualization process has taken over a year to complete.  Although the public cannot physically access this roof garden there are several floors which overlook the area and can benefit from the visual display.

To date it is about 75% complete.  We still have a little bit of painting, in addition to adding the finishing touches of the garden sculptures. These will range in size from a little fairy; to a giant mushroom; to four kinetic sculptures designed and fabricated by a local female welder!  All will “top off” this very unusual roof with an abundance of things for the children to look at.

The major Sponsor of this project is Kev’s Kids.  Their very generous grant has allowed us to think outside the box.  We have also been fortunate beyond belief to be given gifts in kind from Canadian Tire.  You combine that with hours of volunteer time and it is a magic garden indeed. 

Carrie Klukas, Visual Arts Coordinator