Oxygen: The Vital Element

Oxygen: The Vital Element

This artist-run gallery in Nelson, BC, Canada is all about community.

by Simone Keiran

Published in Route 3: Life in the West Kootenay/Boundary Region
Winter 2008/2009 Issue, ed., Shelley Ackermann.

Nicola Harwood, Artist-in-Residence, manning the phones at Oxygen Artist-Run Centre, Nelson, BC, Canada

“It is important not to give into divisive political tactics, or it becomes too easy to lose courage.”

Nicola Harwood, director and founding member of the artist-run Oxygen art Centre in Nelson, spoke about the misconception of artists as elitists—people who siphon off public funding, while criticizing those who provide it.

“The reason why Oxygen is here proves how integral artists are within our communities, strengthening and supporting our society’s foundations,” said Harwood.

Arts have a continuous momentum in the West Kootenay region because artists are part of the community and rising from within to express its form, colour, story, music, metaphor and movement.

“We are ordinary Canadians,” she said.

Anita Levesque

The existence of Oxygen Art Centre proves art is vital, enlivening and enriching communities—building bridges, as Harwood said, not burning them.

Oxygen offers classes in digital filmmaking, literature, architecture, conceptual art, theatre and dance. It provides space and mentorship for emerging artists, and established professionals alike with its residency program. It curates exhibitions—eighteen since its inception—and hosts evening events like author readings and presentations.

Thomas Loh

The centre came about in 2002 when the Kootenay School of Art merged with Selkirk College, which entailed a reduction of programs, teachers, and status as a facility, like emily Carr School of Art and Design, held baccalaureate equivalency. The reasoning was to eliminate redundancy across the province.

The most ironic twist was when The Kootenay School of Writing had to relocate to Vancouver in order to keep its doors open. Local writers lost its dynamic series of workshops, critical reviews, and exposure to other writers of national and international stature. Oxygen stepped in to provide a podium for the region’s writers.

The arts are an exception to the outlook that cultural programs can be redundant. The work of each artist is unique and each program which a professional art teacher creates will reflect the individual contribution. The more arts and cultural programs there are, the more they generate, and the finer the quality of their achievements. The founders of Oxygen rose to meet this challenge. The exhibition BOOM! was a classic example of such community-building.

“The proposed waterfront developments on Kootenay Lake were so divisive, people weren’t listening anymore. They weren’t even willing to. This show evolved out of my thematic artist residency, my concern for Nelson’s development. It grew to include anyone keen on the subject of our city’s growth,” said Harwood.

Brent Bukowski

BOOM! encompassed several approaches: site-specific installations were set up around the city and at the gallery. A walking tour and iPod talk produced by Terry Brennan expounded on the different sites and Nelson’s history. The exhibition included a documentary film, a multimedia DVD presentation, 3-D architectural models, storefront installations, and more traditional sculpture and painted murals.

A forum of artists, filmmakers, community leaders, urban planners and architects met in September to discuss issues like the balance between industry and living space, affordable housing, environmental footprints and access to cultural, natural and recreational amenities. Each individual effort repudiated the concept that artists hold themselves aloof from the society in which they live.

Leah Mayoh, Site-Specific Installation for Oxygen Art Centre

Endorsement of Oxygen’s mandate extends beyond Nelson’s urban boundaries. Don Mabie, aka “Chuck Stake,” a well-known Canadian artist who recently retired in Nakusp, and whose upcoming trading card and correspondence art show opened November 28, wholeheartedly praises the centre.

“I’ve been involved with artist-run centres for over 20 years now. They apply the same standards for critical review as a museum, the same system of juried exhibitions and peer review, but they are livelier, more exciting, less academic, less…”

“Conceptual?”

“No, artist-run centres can be conceptual, but they’re more in tune with what’s happening at the moment. Unlike commercial galleries, their focus isn’t on making money. So they’re open to art which isn’t commercial: alternative art, art which is more courageous and shows more creativity. They also give more young artists breaks,” said Mabie.

Mabie’s show expands the notion of community involvement, inspiring artists who which to create at an international level.

“The idea of making works of art which could be sent through the mail was popularized in 1972 by a piece on Ray Johnson of New York in Rolling Stone magazine.”

Mabie had already developed a calligraphic style which lent itself to correspondence art, when this article legitimized this Pop-Art style.

“Take a theme like peace: artists submit works on peace. An artist picks some addresses and mails stuff to them. There are catalogues online, easily Googled. You can get two to three dozen people involved. I’ve had shows where a thousand works covered the walls. The work is recycled and circulated—mailed onward. The art has no critical guideline. It can be … whatever. Anyone can participate! some artists are disturbed by this, but I think it accentuates the freewheeling, inclusive nature of creativity,” said Mabie.

AmyBouhigian, Multimedia Presentation, at Oxygen Artist-Run Centre, Nelson, BC, Canada

Through venues like Oxygen, the arts continue to thrive in Nelson, and international attention is brought to locally produced work against the cynicism of changing fortunes.

Oxygen Art Centre is located behind the building at 2-320 Vernon Street, Nelson, BC. Their hours vary, so check their website at www.oxygenartcentre.org first, or phone 250-352-6322.

Their website also provides a schedule of upcoming readings and events.