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Mystery Messages in Bottles at Access Gallery

Being an Artist Run Centre in operation for 25 years in Vancouver is a milestone worth celebrating, and that is what Vancouver's Access Gallery plans to do! Throughout the Artist Run Centre's 25 year run, Access has supported emerging artists and bee

Being an Artist Run Centre in operation for 25 years in Vancouver is a milestone worth celebrating, and that is what Vancouver's Access Gallery plans to do! Throughout the Artist Run Centre's 25 year run, Access has supported emerging artists and been an active part of the local artist community.  In 2016 the gallery has hosted an exciting and impressive year of exhibitions. Laura Piasta's exhibition Sounding the Ultraviolet started the year off strong. Cindy Mochizuki's exhibition Things on the Shoreline and Amélie Brisson-Darveau’s exhibition Ascension are but two of the gems in the gallery's 25th year programming.

Additionally, 2016 was the year in which the gallery exhibited the first cohort of artists who had participated in the gallery's internationally known 23 Days At Sea residency. This November Access Gallery is launching its biggest fundraising venture to date.

Here are 25 reason's why you shouldn't miss it: 25 Messages in 25 Bottles, a special project and collaboration with local and national artists.

A selection of bottles from Access Gallery's Message in a Bottle campaign. Photograph credit: Michael Love

In addition to the gallery's annual auction fundraiser Access has launched a special initiative entitled Message in a Bottle.

At the auction, for a $100 donation, visitors can select their own bottled message to take home. There are 25 different messages, each one contributed by a variety of local and national artists. The complete list of artists hasn't been revealed just yet, but among the 25 messages, you could potentially take home a message from Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, Lyse Lemieux, Khan Lee, Paul Wong, Elizabeth Zvonar, Vikky Alexander, Germaine Koh or Ed Pien. Oh la la!  But wait, it gets even better, this is where the project throws you an exciting curve ball...

Mystery Message. Photo credit: Michael Love

Auction participants will have no knowledge of which bottle houses what message, nor will they know whose message is in which bottle. Similar to the thrill of finding a bottle on the seashore, you will have the excitement of acquiring a unique message from one of several of the most interesting contemporary artists in Vancouver and Canada.

Given the list of participating contributors, this is a brilliant guessing game where you can't lose!

What will be revealed.... more bottles from Access Gallery's Message in a Bottle campaign. Photo credit: Michael Love

Once you acquire your bottle, the choice is yours, keep the mystery alive by not breaking the wax seal on the bottle. Or you can acquiesce and relish in the message that was meant just for you. All contributions from the Message in a Bottle will go towards continuing Access Gallery's fine programming and operating costs. Oh, and if you are smitten with the entire collection, you could scoop it all up at once if you visit the gallery on the preview night.

Preparation of the wax seals for Access Gallery's Message in a Bottle campaign. Photo Credit: Kate Henderson

Should the guessing game be too much of a stressor for you, here are another 70 reasons to attend the auction. Over seventy works of art have been generously donated for auction by local, established and international artists. Thanks to these kindhearted supporting artists, auction goers will have no shortage of spectacular artworks to acquire.

You can preview many of the works on the gallery's Auction Site. You can also learn a bit more about the participating artists for Message in a Bottle by visiting this link.

If you want to be part of an exciting and amazing community, join the ever-growing group of Access Gallery supporters. Have a great time at the auction. A quarter century... congratulations Access!

Access Gallery - 222 E Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1Z7

Auction Evening, Saturday, November 19, 2016, 7:00 PM

Works on view during regular gallery hours November 14 - 19, 2016

Preview Night, Thursday, November 17, 2016, 7:00 PM

Admission is $25, and includes membership at Access Gallery for the calendar year.

Entry is free for current members. Memberships can be purchased for $25 at the event or online here   www.accessgallery.ca /  604-689-2907  /  info@accessgallery.ca