Jan Crawford is a professional artist who recently designed and built a studio at her Orchard in Penticton. Jan studied art in Vancouver receiving a B.ed , art major, from the University of British Columbia and a BFA, printmaking major from Emily Carr University. Today Jan teaches for the Federation of Canadian artists and is an AFCA Associate member. Her work has been exhibited in several juried exhibitions. During a decade of art schools, Jan studied under David Mayers, Peter Aspell and Lesley Poole. Today Jan is an instructor for the Foundations Program with The Federation of Canadian Artists. Jan also gives workshops on acrylics.

Jan produced 140 large colourful monotypes while at Malaspina Printmakers on Granville Island in Vancouver. Some of the prints are on permanent display at the Vancouver international airport. Jan’s work has been published in a book titled Nexus: Histories and Communities and a series of six large monotypes entitled The Packing House Series speaks to the disappearance of Okanagan identity. By incorporating brightly coloured vintage fruit labels with archival photographs from museums, these prints have become records of a faded cultural identity and a significant contribution to the heritage of the Okanagan region of British Columbia.

Today Jan is known for her large paintings of mason jars of fruit. Colourful still life compositions set up and photographed by Jan from her orchard are images that express how land forms our collective identity. These jars speak to a larger theme: preserving Canadian identity.

Jan’s glass jar series are “Portraits” of Okanagan identity. Vivid saturated colour of fruit placed in archival canning jars are a testament to an agricultural region of BC. Jan’s jars capture time, “reflecting links between place and memory”. “On a personal level, the jars are portraits of my life and about my connection with our orchard—land we have nurtured for half a century.”

Jan’s work has been featured in many publications, including magazines, books, catalogues and newspaper articles. She has exhibited in countless solo and group exhibitions. Jan has also been featured in media interviews on CBC radio, CH-BCTV and Rogers TV. Her work is in private and public collections throughout BC, Alberta and California.

Jan’s work can be seen at the Hambleton Galleries, Kelowna; The Federation Gallery of Canadian Artists, Vancouver; North Van Arts, Vancouver International Airport. Jan has donated her work to various art organizations, Arts Umbrella shooting stars foundation Kelowna Art Gallery, Penticton Art Gallery and the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver and Victoria.