In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Nataley Nagy
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Born in Montreal, I moved to Kelowna six years ago to take up the job as Executive Director of the Kelowna Art Gallery.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband John Grimes because he is very smart and fun to be with.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I am where I want to be right now.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
We enjoy many different retailers in Kelowna – I love the variety of options we have here and usually always shop locally.
What is your favourite activity?
Travelling is my favourite thing to do and in recent years, we have been to Myanmar, Columbia and this November we are heading to Zambia.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
The Rotary Courtyard at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I don’t think of things as embarrassing just life lessons and I have had too many of those to mention.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I have been fortunate in life to have been inspired by many amazing individuals and as a result, it is impossible for me to pick just one.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Fishing trips in Northern Quebec with my parents and brother.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I love attending Soup Sisters events in Kelowna and of course, the Kelowna Art Gallery is my favourite charity. I am a volunteer Board member of the British Columbia Museums’ Association.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Poverty
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Wine tasting.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I am not giving away my secret spot.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see us improve our homelessness problem to improve living conditions for those less fortunate in our community.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
I am grateful for all of my work and life opportunities.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I was a competitive fencer for many years and was Carleton University Female Athlete of the Year for three years in a row and best graduating athlete in my fourth year.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Kelowna Art Gallery
What does your business do?
We are a charitable arts organization that presents exceptional visual art exhibitions and engaging educational programs in the heart of Kelowna’s cultural district.
How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook: Kelowna Art Gallery
Where can people find your business online?
www.kelownaartgallery.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
After I graduated from Carleton University in 1984, I got my first job at Galerie SAW Gallery (an artist-run centre), in Ottawa as Assistant Director/Publicist, and I have worked in the visual arts ever since.
What is the goal of your business?
We believe that art is not just about artists and works of art, but about feeding and growing the creative capacity of an entire community. The opportunities and challenges that lie before Kelowna now, and in the future, demand our collective creativity – our collective ability to see things from different points of view, to see things in new ways, to deeply understand what is now, and imagine what could be in our shared future. That’s what the Kelowna Art Gallery is about. It’s a place for helping people discover their own creative potential, a forum for creative discovery and exchange.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Letting people know that they are fortunate to have an amazing public art gallery in their city and encouraging first-time visitors to come and visit us, because once they come for a visit we know they will want to return.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
There is no starting over in life and I would not want mine to be any different.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Why would we want to shop anywhere else as we have great retailers in Kelowna who supply high-quality products?
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My colleagues at the Kelowna Art Gallery are dedicated and devoted to their work and I want to shout out to each of them for the terrific job they do. They know who they are!
My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Sarah MacKinnon Centre Director – Downtown Youth Centre Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
