Historic home creates unique opportunity for fine art students

Two UBCO students awarded residency at Vernon’s Caetani House

A new partnership between UBC Okanagan and Vernon’s Caetani Cultural Centre will help make artistic dreams come true for two student-artists.

“The Caetani Cultural Centre is a long-established community arts organization with a stellar reputation for hosting prominent artists and creative writers,” says Bryce Traister, dean of UBCO’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (FCCS).

Operating in a historic home in Vernon, the centre offers residencies as part of its mandate. It was the vision of Sveva Caetani, who lived in the home most of her life, when she bequeathed her house and grounds to the City of Vernon for use as an arts and cultural facility. Artists are welcome to apply for a residency, which can be for two weeks to three months at a time, and pay a fee that covers their living expenses.

Being able to do a residency is a dream and a goal for most artists, says Janelle Hardy, artist in residence program coordinator at the Caetani Cultural Centre. Having uninterrupted time and space to live and create is an uncommon experience that can foster and accelerate artistic process and creation.

To have a residency funded by the new UBCO-Caetani partnership, is a dream come true as it removes financial challenges that a number of artists face working full-time on their art career, explains Traister.

“FCCS is delighted to partner with the Caetani Cultural Centre to provide our best student-artists an opportunity to have professional studio experience early in their young careers,” says Traister. “We are thrilled to be getting into the community and extending UBC’s engagement with the North Okanagan arts community.”

Carmen Winther and Mirjana Borovickic, both Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) students, were nominated by the FCCS visual arts faculty for the residency.

“These two students have demonstrated potential and developed professional quality work over the years working towards their degree, and show commitment to their art practice,” says Myron Campbell, coordinator of BFA fourth-year programming. “Community outreach is part of the work they do, so it is fitting to have them be part of this program.”

During the residency, the students will also be required to offer presentations about their work and art practice for the local Okanagan community as well as participate in the studio and show their final projects.

"We just love hosting artists for their residencies and art shows,” says Hardy. “They bring such creative energy to the Caetani House and they get the chance to focus exclusively on their art. All of us at the house and in the Vernon community benefit from their enthusiasm, skills and joy."

Borovickic will be the first artist this summer in residence for the month of July, and Winther will follow for the month of August. Borovickic’s work will be on display at the house in a solo pop-up art exhibit on Monday, July 29 with a public reception that evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Her work will also be on display Tuesday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, a reception to celebrate Winther’s work takes place on August 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. Visitors will be able to view her work on August 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“FCCS is pleased to be able to work with Caetani House to offer this opportunity, which is a launch vehicle for the next stages in our students’ professional careers,” says Traister. “We are looking forward to continuing this partnership in the coming years.”

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca.

About the Caetani Centre’s artist-in-residence programs

Caetani Centre’s artist-in-residence programs are available to artists working on creative projects anywhere from two weeks to three months in length. The programs are intended to serve as a conduit between regional and national artistic cultures by welcoming artists of any genre to the North Okanagan to live, create and commune. The artist stays and creates at the Caetani Cultural Centre's historic heritage house and is invited to share workshops, readings and exhibitions with the North Okanagan community.

For more information visit caetani.org or call the Caetani Centre at 250 275 1525.