Mezzanine Wall Gallery

Gordon Fenske
January 8 – February 25. 2025

About the Artwork:

Snap, and a moment is captured, forever still, saved for generations to see; whether it displays a bird, animal or a beautiful scene. I go to my subjects where they are in their own reality, rather than photographing them in the studio.  I like to photograph them in their natural environment.

I’ve been a photographer
since I was a teenager.
I’ve ventured into many
fields of photography but 
I love to be in nature.
That is where I make my magic. I don’t take pictures for myself but for other people who don’t get out into nature.
I want to show you what I see.

About the Artist:

Gordon Fenske is an inspired wildlife photographer living in Victoria BC. He has been taking pictures of wildlife and nature for almost 40 years. He has been the president of 2 local photography clubs and the Vancouver representative for CAPA Canadian Association for Photographic Art. During the years Gordon has won many awards for his nature photography in Canada and New Zealand, where he won the silver medal; the highest medal a non-resident of New Zealand can win in their national competition. Gordon has been lucky enough to have forged friendships with some incredibly interesting and skilled photographers over the years

Window Gallery

Melanie Thompson – Imaginarium Botanica
January 7 – 27. 2025

About the Artwork: 

I want viewers to see the beauty of nature in many forms. As a previous viewer stated “(the exhibit) transported me to a deeper connection with nature's beauty” and this is precisely my intention. In this space there are works for the walls, the floor, and plinths as well as work hung from the ceiling.

This Imaginarium uses found 
and collected botanical materials such as but not limited to seed pods, leaves, sticks, kelp, and bark. A wide variety of techniques are used to create the work from basketry, stitch, 3d sculpture, printmaking to paint and cyanotype. 

About the Artist

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist. My work is materials driven and that inspires my making. My approach is experimental. I work with natural and found materials. I manipulate the material to see what it is capable of. Everything is grist for the mill. I often obtain materials with no creation in mind, the process of working with the material in an exploratory way informs my decisions of what to make, what techniques to use, what form they will take. Materials also direct the concept behind the work which leads to large installations and collaborations with other artists.
Website
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Second Floor Wall Gallery & Reception Wall

Andrew Mcfetrick
January 7 – 27. 2025

About the Artwork:

Expressive art reflects our subconscious,
unchained from reality.  This exhibition invites you to explore emotions, thoughts, and sensations beyond representational forms. My artwork captures a dance between chaos and order, intuition and intention.  They explore invisible forces shaping our perceptions.  Each hue, seeking harmony in dissonance, embodies a dialogue between spontaneity and control. 

About the Artist:

I am an outreach worker working with the homeless population and express some of this in my artwork.

Black History Month Display

January 27 – February 25, 2025Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. 

The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) celebrates the achievements of Black people in British Columbia by creating an awareness of the history and culture of Blacks in B.C., stimulating interest in the contributions of persons of African ancestry to B.C. and Canada today, and celebrating historical and contemporary achievements in the arts, education, government, sports, science, etc. The non-profit Society, a registered charity, was formed in February 1994. BCBHAS maintains, grows and disseminates a full compendium of resources on the history, heritage, culture and activities of the Black community in BC from the arrival of the Black pioneers in 1858 to the manifold African cultures represented by recent immigrants.

This exhibit for Black History Month includes some of BCBHAS’ resources and highlights three amazing Black artists in our community: Kemi Craig, Tajah Olson and Jumoke Brown. Read more about each artist through their bio, information on the pieces they have included, and links to purchase their work.

You can donate to BCBHAS through our website to support our work and purchase the BC Black History Timeline online or through the QR Code.
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Saanich Municipal Hall Hours 

Accessibility: Accessible washrooms, Wheelchair access on main and second floor, and disabled parking stalls. Limited access to mezzanine and upper gallery spaces

For inquiries related to exhibitions, please contact Shantael Sleight at shantael.sleight@saanich.ca or call 778-584-3756.