It’s officially spring in the Okanagan Valley and I could not be more excited!! I’ve already had the opportunity to enjoy some of what spring has had to offer this month. There’s going to be a lot more spring activities in the coming months as well, leading us into sunny summer days. Here’s a recap of some of the things I’ve been up to lately, and some of what’s to come this season. Read more for spring arts activities in the Okanagan.

Spring Highlights So Far

As we head into full-on spring, I’ve been making the most of being here as we gear up for warmer and sunnier days. I’ve been enjoying the arts scene in the valley a lot! This month, Osoyoos hosted a writing contest in partnership with local businesses. Local writers submitted their work to be displayed in the window of businesses around town. It was such a great idea, and over 30 pieces were submitted, including 1 by me! I had the chance to explore all of them recently and it was SO much fun. If you’re in Osoyoos, make sure to check it out and VOTE for your favourites – until the end of March!

Penticton has a growing arts scene as well. Legacy Den hosts open mic nights on the first Friday of each month, which I’ve been attending lately. It’s a great atmosphere filled with performers, spoken word artists, and community! The Dream Cafe is hosting spoken word nights for a range of artists too. Penticton is also gearing up for Ignite the Arts fest, featuring a ton of arts-focused events across these last two weeks of March. I’m very excited to be taking part in an exciting way. Read this entire post for a sneak-peek on what’s to come!

One of my favourite parts of spring in the valley has included enjoying the nature that surrounds us. I’ve been doing a lot of walking, and as the days get warmer and sunnier, we’ll be able to get outside even more! I’ve also been connecting with community and family as much as I can, which has meant a lot to me. Becoming more connected with local businesses has been great, especially those who now have copies of my book for purchase! You can check out the full list of those options here. Being rooted in to the community is a wonderful feeling, and definitely something I don’t take for granted. ❤

Spring Activities Coming Up

So what’s to come? For starters, I’ll be joining in Ignite the Arts as part of an upcoming exhibition at the Penticton Art Gallery. This is the first time I’m exhibiting my poetry in a gallery, which is both nerve-wracking and exciting! The exhibition is called Gifts of Madness and explores the duality of living with mental illness, aiming to change perceptions of it. The opening of the exhibit took place on March 23, and the exhibit will be on display at the Penticton Art Gallery until mid-May. You can find more details on their website here. It’s a very cool exhibit and I highly recommend checking it out if you’re in Penticton!

Of course, is it really the Okanagan without wine? Traditionally the wintertime is a bit slower for wineries around here, but as we head into spring, it’s going to get even more busy. So far, I’ve been attending trivia nights at Vin Amite Cellars and going wine tasting at the District Wine Village in Oliver. As we head into spring and eventually summer, I’m looking forward to more wineries opening up for tastings! On my list are Here’s The Thing Vineyards and Ruby Blues. Check out some of my previous blogs here and here for more winery recommendations!

Nature is art in it’s own way, and spring in the Okanagan is one of the best seasons as we transition out of the colder winter months. You can almost taste the sunny days that summer will bring. Since the time change, days are now longer and brighter – which means more time enjoying the outdoors for me. I’m looking forward to spending more of this time out in nature. Hiking and eventually swimming are both on the horizon, and I can’t wait to soak up every moment!

Stay in touch!

Spring is one of my favourite seasons in the Okanagan, and I’m truly looking forward to everything it will bring. I’ll be hosting even more events as we head into April and May. Make sure you’re subscribed to my email list to be the very first to hear about upcoming events! I can’t wait to connect with you all, and enjoy spring arts activities in the Okanagan 😊