The Guest Book (2021–2023)

Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art (Kelowna, BC)

March 28–May 10, 2025 

Similkameen Artist Residency: The Guest Book (2021–2023) is a dynamic, rotating group exhibition that reflects on creative gestures made in the Okanagan-Similkameen. The Guest Book includes works from 26 alumni of the Similkameen Artist Residency (SAR) made during or in response to their residencies between 2021 and 2023, as well as from three syilx Okanagan artists. This exhibition demonstrates SAR’s gratitude to the artists who have shaped our identity as an organization, and to the communities and territories that surround and inspire us.

Mirroring the variable experience of attending the residency, small groupings of alumni artists’ work are installed for one to two weeks each, rotating throughout the exhibition. When developing this schedule, we curated groupings that encourage thematic and aesthetic conversations between artworks. These include performative processes in collaboration with nature, abstractions inspired by the landscape, the identities and regionalities of home, and processes of place. In contrast, host nation artists’ works stay in place throughout the exhibition, grounding the show and encouraging visitors to reflect on their relationship to the region. This curatorial decision is made out of respect for the syilx Okanagan people, who have created art on and tended to these lands since time immemorial.

Embodying SAR’s goal of creating cross-regional dialogues, The Guest Book bridges local, national, and international artists. Through the showcased works, visitors will experience the energy of SAR, with each piece reflecting the unique perspectives and experiences of the artists who have contributed to our development. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase these works, as each participating artist has been so generous in sharing their creativity with us.