Cherie Hanson

Poet and Artist, Cherie Hanson will be offering the class: "The Hidden Poet" through UBC extention services this fall. Contact extension services or go to cherie's web site for more detailed information.

Cherie Hanson has currently works in the Trevisan Gallery in Ferrar, Italy. The Kohl Gallery and the Lennox Contemporary Gallery carry art works. She heads off to Vienna in May for another international show.
To see new images go to

I invariably begin with a photograph of something which holds emotional substance for me. After it is uploaded to the computer I just let go and follow my instincts. Frequently, after it is printed I will paint into it, add foil, metallic paint, medium and just generally go at it. I know when I am done because I just plain feel happy. I don't let anything stop me, particularly the idea that I must be consistent or keep creating the same look and feel. I could be mass painting a waterfall, stream, waterwheel scene in the mall if I wanted to go that direction.

Artist, Cherie Hanson has been selected for five European shows in the last 18 month. Currently, her works are in Ferrar, Italy with the Trevisan Gallery. She will be heading to Europe in May for a touring group show. Toronto galleries have displayed her work and she was juried into a group show in Chicago this year.

Kelowna artist, Cherie Hanson has returned from the Florence, Italy International juried Biennale of Contemporary Arts with one of the 61 juror's prizes for excellence. She was one of 24 Canadian artists in attendance and one of the 847 international artists to show at the December 2007 exhibition. Her web site may be found at .

Education:
* 2008- Opus Workshop, Using Media.
* 2008- Print Making, Kelowna Art Gallery.
* 2006- Economic Development Commission, Kelowna, “Marketing Workshop”.
* 2005- Alternator Art Gallery, Kelowna, “Professional Development Workshop for Artists”.
* 2002- Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, “Color Theory and Acrylics”.
* 2001- Sage Hill Writing Experience, Saskatchewan, Poetry Workshop with Betsy Warland.
* 1997- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Literature, Drama credit classes.
* 1971- University of British Columbia,Vancouver, M.A. English.
* 1966- Western Washington State College, Bellingham, Washington, graduate studies, creative writing
* 1965- Western Washington State College, Bellingham, Washington, B.A., B.Ed.

Distinctions:
* 2007- a winner of one of the jury prizes, Biennale of Contemporary Art, Florence, Italy
* 2005- juried into Rotary Centre for the Arts as one of the artist's in residence.
* 2005- nominee, the City of Kelowna's Sarah Treadgold Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to the City of Kelowna.
* 2005- selected cover art, City of Kelowna Centennial CD.
* 2005- selected to committee of ten for City of Kelowna's Roads Task Force.
* 2004- selected to committee of 35 to the City of Kelowna's Cultural Charette.
* 2003-2004- instructor for Okanagan Photographic Art Workshop, Okanagan University college, OPAW conference.
* 1996-1999- selected to board, City of Kelowna's Arts Foundation.

Commissions/ collections:

* 2004- Laile Douglas, images of artist's work grant application
* 2003- logo design Velocity Dance Troupe, Kelowna.
* 2002- Leslie Bolin, images of artist's work for Hambelton Gallery and artist's web sites
* 2002- Cameron Kerr, images of artist's work.
* 2002- logo design for Eye Path Productions.
* 2001- Jen Macklem, images of artist's work.

Writing:
* 2008- Feature writer Intentional Urban Magazine, Portland, Oregon.
*2006-8 Okanagan Musician, jazz column
* 2005- non-fiction, Community Events newsletter, Communitix.
* 2005- non-fiction, selected letters, Painter's Key Newsletter.
* 2004-2006- non-fiction, jazz columnist for Scorpion Entertainment: Okanagan Musician.
* 2003-2005- non-fiction, columnist for Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society Newsletter.
* 2003- poem, Third Place, Surrey Writer's Conference.
* 2003- poem, Canadian Woman Studies, 2003, Volume 22, Number 2. “Totem Child”.
* 2001- poetry, selected, Sage Hill Writing Experience Seminar, Betsy Warland, instructor.
* 2001- short story, Okanagan University College short story competition, honorable mention. “Reference Point”.
* 2001- poetry, Love Poems for the Media Age. Ripple Effect Press, October 2001. “Pastiche Dialogue”; “Construct”.
* 2001- poetry, Cosmic Trend Magazine. “So Long an Exile”; “Healing”; “Sea Green”.
* 2000- poem, been seen magazine, Spring 200, Volume 1, Issue 2. “Construct”.
* 1999- poetry, Cosmic Trend Magazine. “Jazz Man”; “Serendipity”.
* 1998- poetry, Surrey Writer's Conference: A Writer's World, honorable mention, “Strange Skies”.
* 1997- poetry, Canadian Dimensions, Sept-Oct. 1997, Volume 31. Number 5. “Developing Country”.
* 1996- poetry, Canadian Woman Studies, Summer 1996, Volume 16, Number 3. “Observations in a Park”.
* 1991- essay, B.C. English Teacher's Journal, July. “Looking Backward: 32 years”.
* 1969- poem, Jeopardy Magazine. “Waking Song: September 28”.
* 1967- poem, Jeopardy Magazine. “She Asked Me”.
* 1966- poetry, Jeopardy Magazine. “A Friendly Understanding”; “Cross Culture”.

Exhibitions ( selected):

*2009- Vienna, Austria group show.
*2009- Lennox Contemporary Gallery, Winter Energy, Toronto.
*2008- Traces of Memory, Ferrar, Italy.
*2008- One Earth, Chicago, Women's Cooperative Show.
*2007- Biennale for Contemporary Art, Florence, Italy.
* 2007- Kohl Gallery, Toronto continuing.
* 2007- Lennox Contemporary Gallery,Toronto, Spring show.
* 2006- one of 37 selected of 600 photographers for
* 2005- B.C. Artists: Creative Minds, juried show, Manulife Building, Vancouver, B.C.
* 2004- “Life and Arts Exhibit,” juried show, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2004- “Under Where?”, juried show, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2004- “Persons and Souls”, juried show, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2002- “Art and Jazz,” artist's collective exhibition, Laurel Building, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2002- juried art show, Peachland Arts Council, B.C.
* 2002- “Diva's Exhibit”, juried show, Art Ark Gallery, Kelowna, B.C.

Alternative Exhibitions:

* 2008- Unitarian Church, Images of Europe.
* 2007- Alternator Gallery, window display.
*2007- Gallery Vertigo, window display.
* 2007- Bean Scene North.
* 2001-2006- Art Walk, juried community exhibition, Winfield, B.C.
* 2006- KVPAC exhibits, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2002-2005- five Kelowna and Arts District exhibitions, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2005- “Applying Filters,” Verve Coffee Bistro, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2001-2005- Alternator Gallery, Members' exhibitions, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2004- “Life and Arts Festival”, juried show and lantern installation, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2004- Okanagan Potters' Association, juried show, Vernon, B.C.
* 2003- “As for Me and My Town,” Verve Coffee Bistro, Kelowna. B.C.

Teaching Experience:

* 2006- Making Art Cards, Rotary Centre for the Arts course.
* 2005- Workshop City of Kelowna's “Life and Arts Festival, Making it Yours”.
* 2004- Artist's Demonstration, Martin Centre for Continued Learning.
* 2004- Poetry Workshop, Bean Scene Cafe, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2003- Instructor, digital photography, OPAW conference, OUC campus, Kelowna, B.C.
* 2001- Artist's Demonstration, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, B.C.

Professional Affiliations:

* Member Kelowna Art Gallery.
* Member Alternator Art Gallery.
* Member Kelowna and District Arts Council.
* Member KVPAC Kelowna.
* Member Canadian Authors Association.

Volunteering and Donations:

* 2006- art work donation, selected as major prize for B.C. Make a Wish Foundation,
* “ Tears and Golden Balls.”
* 2006- art work donation, Okanagan Symphony, “Sun through Yellow Flowers”, “Tulip Trees”.
* 2006- art work donation, Iridian Youth Centre fund raising.
* 2005- art cards donations, Positively Posh, fund raiser for the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
* 2005- art work donation, City of Kelowna's Kasugai Sister City Visit.
* 2005- art work donation, Tsunami Victim's fund.
* 2004-05- jazz columnist for Okanagan Jazz and Blues Society; Scorpion Entertainment; Communitix web site news. Contributed pictures.2004- member, City of Kelowna's Strategic Planning Workshop,
* 2004- member, City of Kelowna's Public Transportation transit design symposium.
* 2004- art work donation, silent auction benefit for Rotary Centre for the Arts.
* 2004- President, North End Resident's Association.
* 2003-2004- President, Okanagan Film Festival Society.
* 2001-2003- art work donations, CNIB.
* 2001- art work donation, New York Firefighters' Benefit.
* 1995-2004- board member, Okanagan Film Festival Society.
* 1993-1999- wrote, directed, produced and made costumes for plays: benefit, Elizabeth Fry Society, Asthma Educators of Canada, Anti-smoking plays for Dr. Andy Patullo, Epidemiologist, Kelowna General Hospital.

Media:
* 2006- interview, Portia Pregert, The Courier Newspaper, Kelowna.
* 2005- interview, Shaw TV, Kelowna. B.C.
* 2004- interview with Doug Brown, Shaw TV, Kelowna B.C.
* 2003- interview with Lori-Anne Carleton, The Courier Newspaper, Kelowna, B.C.
* 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003- interview with Mike Roberts, CHBC.

It is all about energy. "The force that through the green fuse drives the flower," as Theodore Roethke said. Fields dance, move and change. The way we see the world changes with every breathe. Vitality, color, boldness are part of life. Let us celebrate.