Hi, my name’s Anouchka. I am a cofounder and Executive Director of the Similkameen
Artist Residency. I was part of a team that developed and launched SAR as an artist-in-
residence space in the late summer of 2022. The residency operates out of a log home
on a sage-covered slope that overlooks the Similkameen River, just on the outskirts of
Keremeos, BC, on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded land of the Syilx Okanagan
people.
We’ve been learning as we go, dedicated to the principle of making something that
artist’s need: a welcoming space that can house small groups for creative work,
re-calibration, discovery and connection.
Of the teams I’ve been a part of, this is my favourite. I’ve seldom seen such hopeful
optimism for the impact of a project, and a level of commitment shared between staff,
advisors, stakeholders, and foundational partners.
I hold a graduate degree in art history, and have worked in museums and galleries in
Canada and abroad. My go-to artistic media are paper, pencil and pen. I’ve studied
creative writing for the last ten years, and am super slowly drafting out an eco-fiction
graphic novel.
My name is Katherine Wilson, but you can call me Katie. I was able to attend the Similkameen Artist Residency in 2023, and my time in the Okanagan inspired me to move here two years ago. I am a visual artist who creates abstract surreal paintings and drawings which explore Portals, Place, and Sexuality. Alongside my art practice, my background in administration, event planning, and teaching allowed me to jump into the Interim Residency Manager position at SAR. I am absolutely honoured to tend to the log home and support the artists who participate in this uniquely profound residency.
I recently joined SAR as the Communications & Programs Manager and am so thankful to become part of a team as amazing as this one! I’ve lived in and around the Okanagan for over a decade, and have a background in Administration as well as my own artist practice of digital art and painting.
Working with SAR combined my passion for the Arts as well as utilizing my skills and education as an admin. It’s like my two worlds collided and landed me with this wonderful opportunity with SAR!