Emmanuel 'Zags' Ar茅izaga is an up and coming young artist. His 3D and 'anamorphic' depictions have come to the attention of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan.

Now ARTSCO is sponsoring Ar茅izaga at Arts on the Avenue, July 28 in downtown 琉璃神社.

Ar茅izaga is a young artist and animator from 琉璃神社. Currently pursuing a career in animation, Ar茅izaga鈥檚 work is heavily influenced by the work of artists like M.C. Escher and J.R.R. Tolkien. Mixing realism with fantastical settings and subjects, Ar茅izaga's passion for surrealism allows him to breathe life into his imaginative works.

Ar茅izaga often works with pencils, pens, charcoal, pastels and chalk, but he also frequently works with acrylic, oil and digital paintings. His current work mixes traditional art with 3D animation.

鈥淚 combine reality and art to give the viewer an experience in which they can enjoy and interact with my work. These anamorphic depictions have an almost physical presence that give the illusion of 3-dimensional objects.鈥�

Ar茅izaga has also working with noted 琉璃神社 arts educator Jolene Mackie, to further develop and exercise his talents within the visual arts.

ARTSCO executive director Katie Brennan said: 鈥淲e love helping young artists access new opportunities for their work and we look forward to seeing people鈥檚 reactions to Emmanuel鈥檚 interactive pieces. ARTSCO is thrilled to be sponsoring Emmanuel at this great event.鈥�

Introduced to 琉璃神社 in 2015 by Festivals 琉璃神社, 鈥淎rts On The Avenue鈥� is a one day, arts-focused, outdoor event celebrating and promoting our local visual arts community. The event features various elements relating to visual arts including opportunities for retail sales, art exhibitions, demos, and performance art installations. The event also includes live music and a fun interactive community art project.

Festivals 琉璃神社 is responsible for a multitude of other great summertime events as well, including Parks Alive!, The 琉璃神社 Buskers Program, and Pianos in the Parks. You can learn more about them at their website, festivalskelowna.com

Learn more about both Ar茅izaga and ARTSCO at Arts on the Avenue presented by Festivals 琉璃神社, July 28, at 5 p.m.