Visual Art: Haruko Okano & Sylvia Oates

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008
STARTS @ 7PM

INSIDE THE ROLE OF THE CURATOR
AND
WHAT MAKES AN EXHIBITION

Haruko Okano and Sylvia Oates

In the Conference Room of the Britannia Information Centre
1661 Napier St., Vancouver (just west of Commercial Dr)
Artists and the general public are often unaware of what a curator’s role and
responsibilities are. Here is an opportunity for everyone to explore the wide range of
approaches to developing and mounting an exhibition.
This presentation is based on the mandate of the Britannia Art Gallery which is a
community based gallery serving those in its catchment. Its territory extends from the
south shore of Burrard Inlet to Broadway Street and from Main Street to Nanaimo Street.
Although we begin based on the curator’s role at Britannia Art Gallery much of the
information and discussion is relevant to understanding the development of exhibitions
in other galleries, museums and exhibition venues.
Sylvia Oates is the founding curator of the Britannia Art Gallery that was created in
the early 90’s. She is a visual artist in her own rights. A long standing active member
of the Britannia Community Centre she is also the manager of the Britannia Centre’s
Banner Project.
Haruko Okano is the present curator taking over from Leah Decter in 2005. Okano is
an established interdisciplinary artist who received her curatorial training through the
Grunt Gallery’s 2 year internship. She has worked as an independent curator creating
exhibitions for The Harrison Festival of the Arts, The Alliance of Pacific Visual Artists
and organizing and touring her own artwork.
Past and present curators of the Britannia Art Gallery

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008
STARTS @ 7PM
A presentation by the Britannia Art Gallery
Space is limited so come on time!!