The ARK Project

Curated by Deborah Loxam-Kohl

The main level of 502 Vernon Street, where Nelson residents once paid parking tickets and purchased dog licenses has been transformed into 2,000 square feet of exhibition space for traveling and local exhibits. To celebrate this opening of the new Touchstones Museum, Archive, and Gallery, we asked 22 local artists to consider what it is that brings us here, why we choose to live here, how we value this place. The result is a rich cross-section of pieces that will be accompanied by a catalogue for sale showcasing images of the work, biographical sketches and artist statements.

The project borrows its concept from an ark of the covenant, a time vessel that stores valued objects, and from Noah’s ark, a floating vessel that held an entire community. The ARK Project asked contributing artists to explore the identity and diversity of the region through a variety of media, from oil pastel to fibre and clay.

Exhibiting artist include: Deanne Achong, Nathan Bartley, Brent Bukowski, Julie Castonguay, John Cooper, Michele Dupas, Betty Fahlman, Maggie Finlayson, Susan Fisher, Terry Huva, Heather Mac Askill, Lesley Mayfield, John McKinnon, Randy Morse, Monica Ortt, Vivienne Pearson, Rabi’a, Carol Reynolds, Daniel Rondeau, Esme Nichola Shilletto, Rod Taylor, and Deborah Thompson.