Rotating Art Exhibitions
Every month, Hype Unique Gallery transforms its main gallery into a fresh conversation between artist and community — showcasing the painters, photographers, printmakers, and mixed-media makers who define the creative life of the Okanagan and BC interior.
Service description
Each month we curate a new exhibition in our 120 m² main gallery, spotlighting painters, photographers, printmakers, and mixed-media artists from across the Okanagan and BC interior. Opening receptions are free and open to the public, creating a genuine community event where collectors meet artists face to face. Works are available for purchase directly through the gallery, with transparent pricing and no hidden buyer's fees.
A Gallery Built on Community, Not Commerce
Hype Unique Gallery has been a gathering place for Kelowna artists and art lovers since David and Elaine Hartwell opened these doors as a family passion project. That spirit shapes every exhibition we mount. We are not a white-cube institution where art feels untouchable — we are a living studio where collectors chat with the people who made the work hanging on the walls.
Three generations of Kelowna families have walked through our doors, and many of the artists we now exhibit first came to us as curious visitors. When you attend an opening reception here, you are stepping into a relationship that has been building for over two decades.
What Each Exhibition Includes
Every show runs for a full 30-day public viewing period inside our 120 m² main gallery. Our team handles curated wall and pedestal installation, so the presentation reflects the work at its best. Each artist receives a printed exhibition notes card and a published artist statement, giving visitors genuine context for what they are seeing.
Opening receptions are free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided. All exhibited works are listed online, and sales are facilitated directly through the gallery — with transparent pricing and no hidden buyer's fees added at the point of purchase.
Who We Exhibit and How to Apply
We prioritise painters, photographers, printmakers, and mixed-media artists living or working in the Central Okanagan, though we regularly include voices from across the BC interior. Solo exhibitions fill the full gallery; group shows accommodate up to six artists sharing the space. Weekend pop-up showcases offer a lower-commitment entry point for artists who want to test the waters.
To be considered, send a portfolio of eight to twelve images alongside a short artist statement. We review submissions on a rolling basis and aim to respond within three weeks. There is no formal season — we accept proposals year-round and plan exhibitions several months ahead.
Transparent Sales, Fair Terms for Artists
We believe artists should know exactly where their money goes. When a work sells through Meridian, we retain 35% of the listed price — covering handling, insurance during the show, and payment processing. The remaining 65% is paid to the artist within 14 days of a confirmed sale. No surprises, no complicated deductions.
Pricing on every work is displayed openly to visitors. Buyers see exactly what they pay; artists see exactly what they receive. This straightforward approach is something we have maintained since the beginning, and it is one reason so many Okanagan artists return to exhibit with us again and again.
Not Every Piece Needs a Price Tag
We understand that some works carry personal or professional significance that makes selling them impossible. In a solo show, up to 30% of pieces may be marked not for sale, allowing you to share important work with the public without any pressure to part with it. We simply ask that you flag these pieces clearly in your submission so we can plan the installation layout thoughtfully.
This flexibility matters to us because we see exhibitions as more than sales events. They are opportunities for artists to build a local audience, receive genuine feedback, and become part of the wider Meridian community — something that has real, lasting value beyond any single transaction.
Come to an Opening — Bring Someone New
Our opening receptions are among the most genuine community events in Kelowna's arts calendar. There is no dress code, no pressure to buy, and no velvet rope. Visitors of all ages arrive, meet the artist, ask questions, and leave with a richer understanding of what it means to make things by hand in this region.
If you have never been to a gallery opening before, ours is a welcoming place to start. Families bring children; longtime collectors bring friends who have never bought art. The conversations that begin at these evenings often continue for years — which, after more than two decades of doing this, feels like exactly the point.
What the service includes
- Curated wall and pedestal installation by our team
- Artist statement and printed exhibition notes
- Opening reception with light refreshments
- 30-day public viewing period
- Sales facilitation and secure artwork handling
- Online listing of all exhibited works
Price
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Solo artist exhibition (full gallery) | $850 |
| Group exhibition (per artist, up to 6) | $200 |
| Pop-up showcase (weekend, shared space) | $150 |
Gross prices are for guidance only. You will receive an exact quote before work begins.
Frequently asked questions
How do I submit my work for consideration?
Send us a portfolio of 8–12 images with a short artist statement by email. We review submissions on a rolling basis and respond within 3 weeks. We prioritise artists living or working in the Central Okanagan.
What commission does the gallery take on sales?
We retain 35% of the listed sale price, which covers handling, insurance during the show, and payment processing. Artists receive the remaining 65% within 14 days of a confirmed sale.
Can I exhibit work that is not for sale?
Yes. Up to 30% of pieces in a solo show may be marked NFS (not for sale). We ask that you indicate this clearly on your submission so we can plan the exhibition layout accordingly.