09/05/2026
SSNAP / SALON DES REFUSÉS PRIZE
Time Portals / Summer-Youth
Josephine Fletcher
Sept 11 - Sept 26
Opening Reception: Sept 11, 5-7pm
In 2025, Salt Spring Gallery, in collaboration with the Salt Spring National Art Prize, presented works by Southern Gulf Island artists whose entries were not included in the finalist groups of SSNAP, in a completely non-juried show. It was a celebration of local artists, in the grand tradition established by the 1863 Salon des Refusés in Paris.One prize of a 3-week solo show at Salt Spring Gallerywas awarded to one participating artist. The prize was established to encourage a local artist in the spirit of the gallery’s mission to nurture and support the island art community. The recipient of this prize was determined by a representative of SSNAP and the members of Salt Spring Gallery.We are now delighted to present, in collaboration with SSNAP, the first (and, hopefully, not last!) solo show awarded from the Salon des Refusés: Time Portals / Summer - Youth, by one of the important plein air Canadian artists of our cherished West Coast: Josephine Fletcher.
Josephine:I adore a complex range of colour. I have since young been in love with colour. It affects ones mood. I feel it can change a whole room. I am interested in memory. I am fascinated that my painting affects others due to their own memories. I love the complexity of a portal, every minute of everyday we can make a decision. We can choose different thread of portals to enter.
I won this show through the Salon des Refusés Exhibition last October 2025 at the Salt Spring Gallery of Fine Art, artist Coooperative. It was a great opening party.
I wish to thank the little gallery’s members. There must be a new place on Salt Spring that could house their work and Salt Spring guest artist shows. Thank you Susan Benson for supporting women artists. Thank you Ethan Wilding (Catalyst Award in 2025). Ron Crawford, Gillian McConnell, Stefanie Denz, Zoe Zarfis, Anthony Matthews, Sydney Peninsula gallery who displays my work ; they loved my painting “The Forest” in the 2019 SSNAP Show catalogue.
Special thanks to Nick Hunt and Celia Duthie who showcased my work before closing their Duthie Gallery on Churchill.
