Art has a way of sparking curiosity, and curiosity doesn’t end when you leave the gallery. That’s why the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) and the Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) are working together to help you continue the experience, connecting inspiring exhibitions with books that let you explore the artists, ideas, and creative practices behind the artwork.
This August, VPAG invites visitors to explore two new solo exhibitions by Canadian artists Mary Kavanagh and Sarah Steeves. After visiting the gallery, continue the experience at your local ORL branch, where you’ll find books on contemporary art, sculpture, photography, architecture, and design. Whether you’re interested in learning more about artistic techniques or exploring the ideas behind today’s exhibitions, your library is a great place to continue the conversation.
Two artists. Two exhibitions. One opening celebration. And a world of great books.
Mary Kavanagh’s Opera Obscura is a large-scale installation built from approximately 2,000 deaccessioned books from the University of Lethbridge Library. Through sculpture, photography, and transformed library materials, the exhibition examines themes of preservation, memory, and the histories contained within books and public collections.
In Your Absence Is Mineral, Vancouver artist Sarah Steeves presents her first institutional solo exhibition. Combining sculpture, video, and an evolving installation, the exhibition explores the connections between people and the natural world through materials that transform over time.
Celebrate both exhibitions at a free public reception:
Thursday, August 6, 2026
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Vernon Public Art Gallery
Meet fellow community members, enjoy light refreshments, and be among the first to experience these remarkable new exhibitions.
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