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Gallery Reception & Art Show Opening

A whimsical collaboration between Potter Caroline Payne and Painter Alexandra Kozak, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s world of fantasy. Free Admission, all welcome.

DATE

Thu Oct 29, 2026
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

2D and 3D works converge through a shared vision, blurring the boundaries between dimensions.

In Wonderland, familiar elements from a classic tale are reimagined through the combined artistic vision of two local artists. The immersive environment created encourages the audience to wander freely between paintings and pottery, discovering unexpected intersections of form and narrative. Whimsical motifs and characters are woven throughout paintings that complement the qualities of Caroline’s pottery. 

"Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" was chosen as the central theme because the imaginative and unconventional literary world resonates with the two artists' individual practices and shared commitment to sustaining childlike imagination within the framework of contemporary arts. Through this exhibition, they aim to communicate a sense of wonder, delight, and the limitless possibilities of imagination. 

Gallery reception at 7pm. Free admission & cash bar.

Show will be on display through November.

Artist Biography

Alexandra Kozak is an artist and designer based in Fernie. Inspired by fairytales & flower power, she paints the essence of nature with a psychedelic sensibility. Her work combines a distinct colour palette with whimsical design, transforming familiar landscapes and wildlife into visual narratives. She earned a Bachelors degree in Design with honours from the Alberta University of the Arts, with a focus on illustration and animation. She is proud to contribute to the Arts in Fernie as the Community Arts & Marketing Coordinator at the Fernie Arts Station. She exhibits at regional galleries including 
the Fernie Arts Co-op.

Caroline Payne first discovered ceramics while completing a degree in Creative Writing at the University of Victoria. Taking ceramics as an elective in her final year, she was immediately drawn to its tactile, physical nature. She began volunteering on the production line at a local Victoria studio, then studied ceramics in Nelson. After graduating, she became the pottery studio manager at the Fernie Arts Station. She now works out of her own studio full time. Inspired by fairy tales and whimsy, Caroline hopes her art brightens days and brings a little magic into people’s lives.