Penticton artist’s hockey exhibition taking over Kelowna Art Gallery during Memorial Cup

As Memorial Cup fever grips the city, the Kelowna Art Gallery is stepping onto the ice with Wackem Sackem, a high-octane pop-up exhibition by Penticton-based artist and player Glenn Clark.

Running concurrently with the tournament from May 21 to 31, this 11-day takeover brings Canada’s national pastime to life right across the street from the action at Prospera Place.

Clark’s work transcends the traditional canvas. Visitors will encounter sculptural paintings mounted on floor stands, designed for a face-to-face, skate-to-shoe confrontation.

These life-size artworks capture the grit, humour, and nostalgia of the game. Viewers will see a legendary NHL “tilt” unfolding in front of them as well as age-old rivalries like the Habs vs Leafs immortalized in paint and steel.

“When asked what was more important in my life—hockey or art—I realized they had become intertwined,” says artist Glenn Clark.

“I’ve met many of my closest friends at the rink. It was the guys on my team who helped build my studio twenty years ago. And, I know that as one passion declines with age, the other carries on. Art is life; hockey is my subject matter. Both are fun to do, but art won’t end.”

The Gallery offers a space for visitors to get their own art game on too.

Fans of all ages can dive into the spirit of the Memorial Cup with The Goalie Challenge: Snap a selfie with our life-size painted goalie; Join the Crowd: Sketch your own portrait to add to our massive “Mural of Fans” cheering from the stands; and Custom Player Gear: Design your own paper hockey jersey or craft a goalie mask to take home.

Skip the penalties and head to the Kelowna Art Gallery for a front-row seat to the most creative hockey event of the season. Wackem Sackem runs from May 21 to May 31 in the Thomas A. Budd Gallery and The Art Lab. Admission is free for children under 12 (and Gallery Members.)

The Kelowna Art Gallery is located at 1315 Water Street, right across the street from Prospera Place. For more information, visit kelownaartgallery.com or call 250-762-2226.