Culture Days at Caetani

Vernon's Caetani Centre is diving into Culture Days with several free and by-donation events that celebrate the creativity and innovation of artists, makers, and creators in the Okanagan.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer such a diversity of events showcasing different artistic and cultural mediums: a multi-media exhibition, an Okanagan-produced documentary, and the launch of a new book of powerful poetry,” says Laisha Rosnau, Caetani Centre executive director.

“We invite the community to join us for one or all of these events. Sveva Caetani was a champion of the role of arts and culture in the life of a community, and we believe she’d be happy her former home is now host to such a variety of cultural experiences.”

Starting Sept. 27, the centre will once again waive the fee for self-guided tours and offer them by donation inside the historic home of Italian duke Leone Caetani, his partner Ofelia Fabiani and their daughter, renowned artist, Sveva Caetani.

Visitors can learn the fascinating story of the Caetani family and see select displays of treasured family artifacts in the 130-year-old heritage home.

Self-guided tours will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 27 to Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

More to see and do

While at the centre, visitors can check out the new exhibition, Reflections on Belonging, an immersive exhibition in the Caetani Gallery, presented in collaboration with the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society (VDICSS).

Supported by the Government of Canada's Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program, the exhibition invites visitors to explore themes of identity, community, and belonging through dynamic storytelling, immersive art installations, and interactive experiences. Also on display is a selection of Sveva Caetani’s works from her renowned Recapitulation Series.

Reflections on Belonging is open to the general public Fridays and Saturdays from Sept. 27 to Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Oct. 3, the Caetani Centre hosts the screening of feature-length documentary The Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia in the Caetani Gallery at 7 p.m.

Presented by the Canadian Kelowna Italian Club, the film encompasses the tribulations facing Italians after unification in the late 1800s, experiences typical to Italian immigrants before the turn of the century arriving in North America, what was happening in the new frontier province of B.C., and a snapshot of the early history of the Central Okanagan and Kelowna.

A wine and cheese reception will be part of the screening with a Q&A session afterwards.

Admission is by donation, but registration is strongly encouraged for this event and is available on the Culture Days event page.

The Caetani Centre is also hosting a book launch of former writer-in-residence, and current resident of the Caetani House, Jaz Papadopoulos, who will read from their collection of poems, I Feel That Way Too, on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Caetani Gallery.

A Lambda Literary Fellow, Papadopoulos offers a poetically critical response to the #MeToo movement and how sexual assault trials have impacted survivors.

Books will be available and a reception will be held as part of the launch. Admission is by-donation at the door and registration for the event is available in advance on the Culture Days event page.

For more information, click here.