Art exhibition at the CCFO
Let's celebrate French-speaking women!
Let's celebrate French-speaking women!
In celebration of International Women's Day, we are hosting an art exhibition featuring works by French-speaking women from
the region, from Thursday, March 13 at 5 PM to Thursday, March 20 at 6 PM.
An opening reception will take place on Thursday, March 13 from 5 PM to 7 PM, with the artists in
attendance. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Come and join us!
Inspired by her spiritual connection and intuitive journey, artist Christine Cloutier creates vibrant abstract works that invite reflection. Originally from Gaspésie, Quebec, and based in Kelowna since 2003, she discovered painting as a profound means of expression after a path shaped by music and art therapy. For Christine, colors and textures serve as a visual language of transformation. A passionate artist, she shares her artistic journey to inspire others to embrace the unknown with confidence and authenticity, guided by God.
Born in Gatineau, Québec, Émilie is a Canadian artist working primarily with acrylics. Her diverse upbringing plays a major role in her personal expression. Émilie’s journey as an artist originated from her passion for dance, and she obtained her college degree in dance, specializing in modern dance. Simultaneously she completed her basic training as infantry in the Canadian Armed Forces, giving her strength of character. Upon moving to B.C. 10 years ago, Émilie decided to pursue her passion for painting. She enjoys combining different styles and draws inspiration from nature and organic shapes. Her intention is to communicate the profoundness of her life experiences and her art speaks to the resilience that often accompanies the feeling of well being. The movement in each of her pieces reflects one’s ability to change with the seasons without feeling constrained by the past.
I have always loved the arts—drawing, crafts, painting, functional and artistic clay work. I studied ceramics at Collège du Vieux-Montréal and spent a year at the Alberta College of Art specializing in ceramics. I have taught pottery at Potters Addict in Kelowna and attended various watercolor and painting workshops in British Columbia. For the past ten years, I have been practicing sketching—the art of capturing the moment while on the go. I particularly enjoy drawing people and animals, sometimes landscapes and the nature around me. As a member of the Okanagan Sketching Group, I regularly meet with fellow artists to sketch inspiring scenes—it’s both a challenge and a joy! I love the unexpected! I also create illustrations on request. Do you have a story that needs to be illustrated?
My artistic journey has always been a mystery to me. Music, digital arts, and textile arts have each defined distinct periods of my
life. My youth was spent singing in the streets of Québec. Photography—capturing my city and its nature—shaped my career as a graphic
designer. And finally, balancing life as a mother and an artist led me to textile arts.
Art, to me, is simply a personal way of organizing matter. Since 2019, I have been arranging textile fibers into knots and waves. I select
textures and colors, letting my fingers twist and shape the cords into structures. I give myself natural constraints—a branch, a color, or a
frame found by chance—and let my cords grow around them. I have no vision of the finished piece; I simply let it grow, like a plant.
I was born in Montreal to highly creative and skilled parents who passed on to me the joy of creating and exploring my artistic abilities.
Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to explore various careers, including sewing, interior design, graphic design, woodworking,
and education.
I love experimenting with different materials—watercolor, acrylic, collage, pastel, and more. My creations are guided by intuition,
sometimes emerging spontaneously while incorporating techniques I have learned over the years. I am deeply inspired by the beauty of
nature, which surrounds me daily with its vibrant and ever-changing imagery.
Diane Marmen-Béchade was born in Québec, where she pursued her studies. She has exhibited in galleries in Montréal and Québec and has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Her work is strongly influenced by surrealism.
Éléa Béchade was born in Québec and studied in Kelowna. She has participated in several group exhibitions. Having traveled across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, she draws inspiration from colors, emotions, and dreams, which form the foundation of her creativity.
Les membres ont accès à notre bibliothèque, peuvent participer à des événements culturels et profiter d'autres avantages avec nos
partenaires!