Welden Munden, 1934 - 

Welden Arnold Munden was born on April 5th 1934 in Leduc, Alberta. In 1945, the Munden family relocated to Keremeos in the Okanagan-Similkameen area. His family were orchardists, and Munden worked long hours labouring over fruit trees and spending his free time painting.

Completely self-taught, Munden was looking for technical instruction, so he spent a winter in Mexico, enrolled at San Miguel de Allende's art Institute. He recalled that the experience was disappointing as he rarely saw his instructors, instead learning what he could from his classmates. 

He returned to Keremeos in the Okanagan and continued painting in what he described as a “primitive” way.

In 1961, Munden held an exhibition and sale of his paintings at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Penticton, BC. 140 paintings completed between 1956 and 1961 were for sale. The funds raised paid his way for study in Europe, at the Andre l’Hote Academie in Paris. In Paris, Munden focused on technique; light, colour, and form.

Two years later, on January 25th 1963, his one-man show at the Cellar in Seattle opened. Besides, Seattle, his work has also been exhibited in Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Paris and Exeter, England.

Around this time, the group Contemporary Okanagan Artists was formed by Kelowna artist Zelko Kujundzic, along with Des Loan, Leroy Jensen and Frank Poll with their friend and writer George Ryga of Summerland.

In 1969, six of Munden’s paintings were included in a touring exhibition of Canadian artists to eight major cities in South America. The tour included San Paulo, Brazilia, Buenos Aries, and Mexico City. The other BC artist included in the show was follow Contemporary Okanagan Artist member, Zeljko Kujundzic.

Weldon Munden still resides in Keremeos.