Gallery pushes for additional space

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - January 20, 2008

Sveva Caetani's artistic genius is legendary. Her talent began in Vernon but ultimately spanned the globe. However, the late painter’s work is not kept in the conditions it deserves at the Vernon Public Art Gallery. “The humidity levels are not ideal,” said curator Lubos Culen as he checks on the gallery’s permanent Caetani collection stored in a room at the back of the facility. Surrounding it are other sliding panels containing paintings, a series of crates and shelves and a small carpentry area used to prepare for upcoming exhibits. “It’s definitely not good archival practices,” said Culen of mixing construction work with artwork. Any new paintings or items just make the situation worse.“We have to think twice when people approach us with collections because can we house them?” said Renee Lapierre, executive director.

Currently the art gallery — exhibition space, storage and offices — covers about 6,200-square-feet in the parkade building. Only one room meets Canadian Conservation Institute standards for environmental controls. They are needed to ensure the integrity of the art. “Humidity control is desperately low especially in the winter when there’s dry air,” said Culen.The lack of proper controls has kept the gallery from attracting some large travelling exhibits or from accessing grants. “Kamloops, Kelowna and Penticton are all A-level galleries and we are probably a C,” said Lapierre. About 10,764 people visited the gallery in 2007, and space for workshops and programs is limited. But despite that, an area has been set up for a community gallery. Currently, it showcases work by students at a local school. “We contribute to visual literacy. It’s about community,” said Culen.

The City of Vernon is proposing to construct a civic complex by the museum. It could include 11,388-square-feet for an art gallery. The design calls for 16-foot-high ceiling, something Culen insists is necessary to present paintings properly. “You need proper ratios of height and space,” he said. The proposed facility would also include the latest in humidity and temperature control, as well as a vault for storage. The city is willing to pay for construction of the space, but the Greater Vernon Services Committee — which oversees the gallery — has not committed to additional operating funds for a large space. On Jan. 26, residents will be asked to approve borrowing up to $30 million over 25 years for a civic complex.