Flying Colours Artists Association annual art exhibit back for 2026

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Fort St. John non-profit art group is all set to host its annual exhibit to showcase artworks using different “points of view.” 

The Flying Colours Artists’ Association’s Points of View: Watermark opening reception has been scheduled for March 6th from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at Peace Gallery North on 100th Avenue. The artwork will be on display until March 28th. 

Karin Kroecher, president of The Flying Colours Artists’ Association, said: “Points of view is a flying colours [artists’ association] dedicated show. 

“It is based on selected photographs that each artist must replicate and interpret in their way, additionally, they [artists] may add one or two [artwork] of their choice.” 

Ahead of the event, four artists showcasing their work spoke to Energeticcity.ca about what they plan to exhibit during the show.

Karin Kroecher

Kroecher, a resident of Fort St. John, started creating art after retiring without any formal training and at the encouragement of her father who is also an artist. 

“[My] dad and I share a studio and I have another little studio that I use in the basement,” she said. “I’m not particularly talented but I’ve got skills because I’ve been working at them.” 

Therefore, Kroecher believes that everybody can do art. 

“If you learn the technique and practice the technique, you will eventually get better at it,” she expressed. “And sometimes you get lucky, you plan it and it works out.” 

For the exhibit, Kroecher has chosen to focus on three photographs which she never would have chosen to paint. 

“I chose to do lino cuts, it’s a relief printmaking technique, which means you cut into a tile, and then you put ink on top, and then the paper picks up the ink,” she explained. “ I chose a very intricate process called the reduction print, where I cut a little bit, take my first layer of color, and then I cut the plate again and I do a second layer of color.” 

In total, Kroecher did eight layers which she said is something she has never done before. She felt that this technique suited the photographs. 

“The photographs weren’t landscapes…they were a micro view of plants. I chose to do a stream with leaves in it, ice with grass in it, and then a shot of bulrushes as a silhouette against water,” she added. 

Martha Jordan

Although Jordan was interested in art as a teenager, it was only after she retired, she picked it up again. 

“I always tried to do a little bit, but since I’ve gotten serious again, it’s probably been two or three years,” Jordan said. 

Describing art as “therapy”, she said: “It’s something I can really focus on, express myself and do something I really love to do. 

“It’s a challenge, so you have to work at learning, focusing on the details and techniques. It is very fulfilling.” 

Jordan has been mainly focused on watercolour but she is learning to paint with acrylics. 

“I can tell over the years that I’ve improved and being a part of this group has been a tremendous help,” she shared. “There’s so many talented artists in the group and I’ve learned a lot from them.” 

Jordan believes the theme for this year is going to be a “good challenge” for her. 

“To do water, I find, is a very challenging element in art. It’s been a good challenge for me to try to tackle. I just love anything that has to do with nature.” 

She has done a couple of watercolour pictures that she says needs to be framed to be exhibited at the show. 

When asked about her expectations for the show, she said: “I know one thing for sure is that there’s going to be some really amazing art in it. 

“I’m not sure the community is aware that we have such professional, amazing artists, and they need to come and see what is in this community.” 

She considers herself “very special” to be a part of the show. 

Pamela den Ouden

Starting out as a sketcher as a teenager, den Ouden sketched dogs and horses as a teenager. 

“I never really did painting but sketching has always appealed to me,” den Ouden said.

For the Points of View exhibit, den Ouden will probably work with either acrylics of pastels as a medium. 

“The theme this year is watermarks. People were able to submit photos with some water in them and then the final few were chosen. I’m doing a painting with leaves and water.” 

She considers art to be an expression of her personality and interpretation of life. 

“The very interesting thing about the points of view show is that we’re working from a limited number of photographs,” she noted. “But there will be many interpretations, people will work with fibre art, acrylic, oils and linocuts. So we have so many different expressions.” 

When asked about her expectations for the show, she shared: “I think it’s very well attended. I think people come out to see the different interpretations and the different media that people are using.” 

Mike Kroecher 

Mike, who was born in Germany, came to Canada post World War II. He has always liked painting and drawing. 

His artwork mainly involves printmaking, linocuts and oil painting. 

For the exhibit, he will be showcasing a couple of oil paintings he has done. 

“They are landscape paintings of this area, [the Peace] River before BC Hydro wrecked it. I still focus mostly on the piece of the world the way it was,” Mike shared. 

Karin Kroecher shared a message for the community ahead of the show. 

“I think the probably the three biggest messages is that everybody can do art and we’d hope everybody has the luxury of being able to experience it,” she said. 

“The second would be, support the arts by coming into the gallery, going to the markets that are around the town, buying locally produced art and crafts and the third one would be support the arts, volunteer and donate.” 

The Points of View exhibit’s opening reception is free to attend.