About
Fabric arts, fine arts, plastic arts, and performance arts: Oliver has them all!
The Oliver Community Arts Council (OCAC) has been a hub of artistic activity in Oliver, British Columbia since 1970. The OCAC is a non-profit society and registered its charitable status in September 2006. It is an umbrella group currently representing ten member groups, three arts-focused businesses and about 80 individual and family members. Tallying the number of participants in its member groups, the OCAC probably serves close to 400 – 500 active artists and artisans. An even larger segment of this arts-loving community are supporters of the arts.
Its talented member groups include: the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers, the Double O Quilters, the local chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Friends of the Oliver Library, the Oliver Sagebrushers, the Oliver Country Market A-Fair, the Oliver Arts and Crafts Sale, the Sage Valley Voices Community Choir, the South Okanagan Amateur Players, and the South Okanagan Concert Society. Individual and business members are always welcome.
The OCAC takes as its logo the quirky California quail, a species that thrives in the warm and sunny South Okanagan climate. The quail is a familiar and distinctive sight in Oliver. The quail is a social bird, feeding, travelling, and roosting in large groups. They have delicate colouring that seems to change with the light. Their loud “ka-kaaah- kaa!” lets people know they’re coming. Quail produce large families – a clutch of eggs can number as many as 18. Attractive, quirky, fertile, social, bustling, and fun to watch - there’s no better way to describe what the Oliver Community Arts Council is!
The OCAC slogan is “Arts Learned — Arts Loved — Arts Lived“, reflecting our constitutional aims: to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts in all its forms, to provide instructional seminars and workshops on topics related to the performing and visual arts, and to produce arts festivals. We believe our aim is to turn learners into lovers of art, and once art is loved, it becomes fully lived.
Members of the Oliver Community Arts council gather at Arts Jam! every fourth Monday of the month, 9:30 a.m. at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. This is a gathering to share news about local arts events, get updates on council programmes, fund raisers, and operations, and share opinions and give feedback about the work of the arts council. We try to keep the atmosphere light, informative and fun — it’s not a business meeting. Visitors and guests are always welcome! Coffee and nibbles for everyone!
The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 34274 95th Street, just west of the airport, is home to the OCAC and many of its programs. The smaller “Studio” building is used for meetings, workshops, classes, rehearsals, and small displays. The larger building on site, “Big Blue”, is currently used for theatrical storage and rehearsals. It is slated for a major renovation to create a multi-use performance space and gallery. Both buildings are available for rent.
The various member groups are active during the fall and winter, holding classes and rehearsals, and presenting concerts, plays, and exhibits. During the spring and summer, the Oliver Community Arts Council mounts its five major programs for the public:
Arts and Culture Week (3rd week of April) A province-wide celebration! Watch for exhibits, open houses, workshops, and concerts featuring local arts and artists held at many locations around Oliver.
Showcase of Talent (May)The best of the local Kiwanis Music Festival talent perform. These young stars receive a share of the proceeds, which assist them with their continued studies.
Music in the Park (July–August) Local musical performers entertain at these relaxed outdoor concerts. Jazz, classical, country, pop, gospel, blues, and good ol’ rock and roll – every night is different. Concerts run every Thursday evening during July and August, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. behind the CPR station. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy!
Summer Studio (July-August) Week-long displays, demonstrations, and workshops featuring local artists and member groups, located at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. The Studio is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Special features include a weekly opening reception (Mondays 6 – 8 p.m.) and Kids Day activities each Wednesday from 10 a.m. – noon. Come watch artists at work!
Fall Art Show (October) Artists from all media exhibit a veritable harvest of colour and texture on the first weekend in October. The art show is held in conjunction with the Festival of the Grape at the Community Centre. Come on the Saturday for the opening reception, show, sale, and competition for awards in several categories, including People’s Choice. Sunday continues the show and sale, attracting patrons of both the arts and the grape!
For more information on the activities of the Oliver Community Arts Council or its member groups, visit other pages at www.oliverartscouncil.org, email olivercac@gmail.com or leave a message at 485-0088 (Quail’s Nest Arts Centre) or write to:
Oliver Community Arts Council
Box 1711 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0
contact
j bennest at olivercac@gmail.com or
p johnson at olivercac@gmail.com