Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield says he was saddened to learn of recent staffing layoffs at the city's art gallery, pledging to support the group "where appropriate" amid its current financial challenges.
On Aug. 22, the Penticton Art Gallery (PAG) board announced it had placed its curator, Paul Crawford, on a temporary layoff due to cost-saving measures. Karen Walls, gallery gift shop coordinator, was also placed on leave with no recall date.
"We understand these changes are intended to be temporary, and we appreciate the gallery鈥檚 commitment to transparency and accountability as they navigate this period," Bloomfield said in a statement, adding that city staff have met with representatives of the board to discuss the changes.
The gallery also cut its hours, closing altogether on Tuesdays and shrinking its open time by two hours from Wednesday to Friday.
In a press release, the board said PAG was facing "a time of dire hardship."
Although all gallery acquisitions are on pause due to limited staff capacity, upcoming programming 鈥� including the Mini Mural Auction on Oct. 24 and Soup Bowls in early November 鈥� are still scheduled to go ahead.
Donations to the Tait Library are still being accepted and rentals of the gallery space, at 199 Marina Way, are also unaffected.
Bloomfield on Friday added that the city has provided more than $1.75 million in support of the art gallery鈥檚 operations and programming since 2019.
"This funding reflects our recognition of its importance to the cultural fabric of Penticton," the mayor said. "Council remains open to hearing from the board and is committed to supporting the art gallery where appropriate. We look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important organization.鈥�
PAG has roots in Penticton that date back to the 1950s. Crawford, the curator of the gallery since 2008, has been instrumental in bringing high-profile exhibits to the venue, including Bob Ross in 2020 and Robert Bateman in 2024
Under his leadership, the gallery also launched the Ignite the Arts Festival in 2022, a three-day event that welcomes hundreds of artists from across Canada to the city every spring.
"The city values the role the art gallery plays in enriching our community through arts, culture, and education," Bloomfield said. "We understand this is a difficult time for the organization and for the individuals affected by these changes."
