The Artym Gallery is pleased to present a special winter-themed exhibition in celebration of the B.C. Eastern Regional Pond Hockey Championships this weekend.

As Canadians, our childhoods are filled with winter memories. We remember the fun, the excitement, rosy cheeks flushed and the warmth of hot chocolate (but we always seem to forget the cold).

This collection of paintings by artist Katerina Mertikas will evoke and celebrate these treasured moments.

The show will open on Friday, February 3 at 10 a.m. and will remain on the walls until February 13.

The world of Katerina Mertikas is one of children playing in the snow: missing mittens and frozen fingers; hurriedly lacing up skates as tight as they’ll go; frenetic pond hockey games cheered and played in whirling snowflakes.

Her style of painting lovingly reminisces about childhoods spent in play without the worries or cares of adulthood.

Her bright colours and whimsical perspectives create paintings that evoke sweet memories of the viewer’s children, grandchildren or their own time spent as a kid.

Her charming paintings transport one to a simpler time, a time when the only deadline was nightfall and the biggest stress of the day was trying to dig your sole hockey puck out of a snowbank.

Now for the dirty little secret: Katerina Mertikas is from… Ottawa. That’s right — home of the Rideau Canal, current (but not for long!) holder of the largest outdoor skating rink record.

When asked how she felt about her role as a traitor to her own city, Katerina just laughed. Invermere has at least one ally in the camp of the enemy.

Join the Artym Gallery for this special show, and enjoy the spirit of uniquely Canadian childhood memories captured on canvas.

The show opens the same day that the pond hockey tournament begins.

Between watching the games, swing by and enjoy this delightful exhibition.

You can also view it online at artymgallery.com.