[BCMA] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Marking a Milestone as Lake Country Art Gallery Celebrates Wanda Lock’s Decade of Creative Leadership

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

*PRESS RELEASE October 28, 2025*


*Lake Country Art Gallery Announces Curator Wanda Lock’s Departure After 10
Remarkable Years*


*Lake Country, BC* – The Lake Country Art Gallery announces the upcoming
departure of Curator *Wanda Lock*, who will be stepping down from her role
at the end of October, after more than a decade of transformative artistic
leadership.

Wanda was part of the LC Art Gallery story from its beginnings, including
as guest curator for Starting Point in 2011, then as a member of the Board
of Directors, and later as a volunteer preparator, photographer, art
writer, and more… Since joining the gallery staff team in 2015, Wanda has
curated more than 65 exhibitions, representing hundreds of artists from
across diverse disciplines and practices. Her curatorial approach—marked by
intellectual depth, humour, and a deep respect for artistic inquiry—has
helped elevate the gallery’s regional and national reputation.

“Wanda brings with her a spark of creative energy and a depth of vision
that immediately resonates with our community,” said Executive
Director *Petrina
McNeill* in her original 2015 welcome announcement. “She has continued to
deliver on that promise tenfold.”

“Wanda has left a strong and significant legacy for the Lake Country Art
Gallery,” said *Sharon McCoubrey*, President of the Lake Country Art
Gallery Society. “Her creative and unique connections between art, pop
culture, and concepts have resulted in the excellent exhibitions that have
set a foundation of quality and creativity for the gallery.”

A respected artist in her own right, Wanda has exhibited her work in
galleries across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and beyond, and has
also guest-curated at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Her impact extends well
beyond exhibitions—as a collaborator, mentor, and cultural leader whose
presence has shaped Lake Country Art Gallery’s identity.

The Gallery team and art community are deeply grateful for Wanda’s decade
and a half of dedication to keeping contemporary art—and the professional
work of artists—at the forefront of community conversation and experience.
We wish Wanda the very best in her next creative chapter.

But we’re not done yet—coming soon, we’ll be sharing highlights from
Wanda’s remarkable tenure before formally introducing new artistic
leadership to guide the Lake Country Art Gallery into its next chapter.


Media Contacts:

Dr. Sharon McCoubrey - President of Board email:
sharonmccoubrey at lakecountryartgallery.ca

Petrina McNeill- Executive Director email:
petrinamcneill at lakecountryartgallery.ca
<joshwilldigg at lakecountryartgallery.ca>


Image attached: Wanda Lock, Curator stands with Petrina McNeill (Executive
Director) and Dr. Sharon McCoubrey (President of Board) at the Lake Country
Art Gallery, October 2025


*Current exhibition: Come Around Lately featuring work of Emily Geen,
Caitlin ffrench and Tiziana LaMelia, curated by Wanda Lock - *

featuring the work of Emily Geen, Caitlin ffrench, and Tiziana La Melia,
three artists who each began their journeys here in Lake Country. As autumn
arrives and the orchards move through their harvest, it is timely to
reflect on the cycles of return, growth, and connection that define both
this region and the artists it nurtures. The Lake Country Art Gallery is
honoured to welcome these artists back to their hometown and to present
their work within the community that helped shape their early creative
lives.

Raised among the orchards and farms of the Okanagan Valley, each artist
brings an understanding of labour, landscape, and belonging that continues
to inform their practices. Now Geen, ffrench, and La Melia have both
national and international art careers. Come Around Lately offers an
opportunity for the public to celebrate these three artists and experience
their recent work.

This exhibition can be seen 6 days per week 9am-3pm, *until November 28th*


Petrina
250-899-2805

www.lakecountryartgallery.ca

Petrina McNeill - *Executive Director*
*Lake Country Art Gallery*
10356A Bottom Wood Lake Rd, Lake Country <https://goo.gl/maps/9ZBXw>
Open 6 days per week Tuesday to Sunday 9am - 3pm
*250-766-1299*

*We respectfully acknowledge that the Lake Country Art Gallery and Art
House are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the
Syilx/Okanagan people*
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