Contributed by David Badger, Medici’s Gelateria and Coffee House
The Masters of Trivia returns to Oliver on the Friday April 19th. It’s Trivial Pursuit a la pub quiz style. Teams consist of 3 to 5 players each. Register as a team, a family, a single player or a couple and we’ll put you with other players to form a team. The questions are general knowledge and roam around the categories of the mind at will. It’s a great way to spend a night of interactive fun and et the recognition of being the Brainiac you’ve always known yourself to be. There are prizes to be won, lots of delicious goodies to consume and of course there are egos to inflate and to crush. This is fun. This is the place to flaunt all that useless knowledge you’ve been packing around for years. The Mighty Pixels barely clung to a piece of the Cup’s indescribable glory when last the upstart smarties from John Won’t Care nearly snatched it away entirely. Be the next battle-scarred victor to hoist the now enormous, gaudy and ‘hotly contended for’ Einstein Cup
Ten teams maximum so register and get your ticket early — $5 per person.
See you at Medici’s Gelateria & Coffee House on 522 Fairview Rd. in Oliver. 250-498-2228. Doors open at 6:30….we’ll open your minds about 7:15.
The arts council’s Spring Arts Faire may have been held on a day that wasn’t “fair” and sunny, but perhaps the wet weather paid off. There was a steady flow of traffic through the Oliver Community Centre hall on Sunday April 7 as visitors came to view, chat and buy, all in celebration of local artistic talent. Pottery, jewelry, fibre arts, paintings, glass art, and photography made for an enticing variety of talent on display.
Enid Baker shares her love of painting with visitors to her booth.
Brian Wilson’s display from the Okanagan Archive Trust Society (OATS) attracts the attention of local artists Leza MacDonald and Evie New. Besides maintaining a collection of historical photographs and publishing a magazine, OATS also provides a framing service. Click on their link at right.
Michael Jorden (right) of the Oliver Art Gallery talks horses and wild western art with a visitor. Click on their link at right.
Stephanie Salsnek of Paw Prints Studio and Gallery (The Art of John Salsnek) not only promotes her husband’s collection of limited edition prints and originals, but also models her own clothing line. This suit features applique work based on John’s paintings. She’s the one to call for one-of-a-kind wedding gowns and beautiful suits. Click on their link at right.
Jack Bennest points out one of his most popular giclee photographic prints to a customer. This snowy scene sold shortly after this photo was taken. Jack’s news site, Oliver Daily News can be reached by clicking on the link at right.
Marion Trimble welcomes fellow artist Michael Jorden and Susan Jorden to her mini gallery of paintings at the Faire.
Local media Eastlink TV arrived to conduct a series of interviews with artists. Here Marji Basso interviews Jane Scheffler of the Oliver Art Gallery. Check your local cable channel for more stories and details of upcoming events.
Oliver artists are bursting into bloom at the Spring Arts Faire, the second annual event billed as both “sales and celebrations” by its presenter, the Oliver Community Arts Council. For a small town, Oliver has an abundance of artistic talent in all its forms. More than thirty-five artists, including a host of new businesses, are set to display and sell their work on Sunday April 7 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Oliver Community Centre.
Colourful booths will feature items for sale, exhibits and demonstrations, and arts information. Faire entries include hand crafted jewelry, paintings, stained glass, photography, cards, pottery, picture framing, hats, fibre arts, wood carving, books, displays from area studios and galleries, and more. The arts council will also staff a welcome table to provide information on its upcoming events and its large membership of 17 arts groups and 14 businesses.
General admission is free, although art and craftwork will be for sale throughout the venue. Azorean Catering will offer soups, sandwiches, sweets, and beverages on site. The public is invited to browse, learn, buy, chat, and celebrate the spectrum of art in the South Okanagan.
More information is available at 250-498-0104 or www.OliverArtsCouncil.org
The Sage Valley Voices Community Choir is going Hollywood with their latest concert, with a side trip to Broadway. Some of the best-loved hits of stage and screen will be performed in “That’s Entertainment” on April 20 and 21. Audiences are sure to enjoy tunes from the musicals Les Miserables, Oklahoma, Cats, and Disney’s Pocahontas. Added to the mix are a medley of early vaudeville numbers and songs by the prolific George M Cohan, known in the biz as “Mr Broadway”. The concert slides up the scale through all the decades of the 1900’s. Of course, choir members will be ‘Puttin’ on the Ritz’ in costumes relating to the various musical numbers.
The concerts will take place at the Oliver United Church on Saturday April 20 at 7 pm and a matinee on Sunday April 21 at 2:30 pm. Ticket price is $10 at the door. Bring along a Food Bank donation. Coffee, tea and cake will be served in the church hall after both concerts. The Sage Valley Voices hope you will join them for some great entertainment, food and fun!
The South Okanagan Concert Society announces that Early Bird Flex passes are on sale this month at Beyond Bliss in Oliver and Imperial Office Pro, Osoyoos. A true bargain at $50 for 4 outstanding concerts! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear world class music right here in Oliver.
The fourth concert remains a surprise but Janet Marcotte, SOCS President is in Vancouver to attend Pacific Contact April 6th, hear the best talent available on tour and come back with ideas for the final selection.
Remember, your four-ticket flex pass can be used in any combination for any number of concerts. You can choose which concert you go to and how many go with you, right up to the last minute. Go solo to each concert, including the surprise one next spring, or pick two and go with a friend. You can’t go wrong!
If you want a voice in it all, please come to the Concert Society Annual General Meeting at 7 pm Thursday, April ll, 2013 at Heather’s Threadz, 6246 Main Street and get involved. Newcomers are very welcome!
The Oliver Community Garden Society (OCGS) is supporting the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen by hosting one of their Free Compost Workshop on Monday April 8 at 6 PM at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre (Community Garden), 5840 Airport Street. The OCGS is pleased to welcome back Cameron Baughen from the RDOS for this FREE composting workshop.
If you are thinking of buying a compost bin or already own one, this free workshop is for you to help you use the systems to their full potential.
More information about the Green Cone (breaking down meat products, cooked foods, and pet waste into organic material) , compost bins, worm composting, and the full range of dates for workshops throughout the regional district may be found by:
“A Writer’s Ritual Shrine”, by Oliver’s Kurt Hutterli, is now on display at the Port Moody Arts Centre until April 21st in an art show celebrating the Centennial of the “City of the Arts”. From the Port Moody Art Gallery website:
In its Main Gallery audiences will be transported back through Port Moody’s history. The exhibit features listening stations with interviews from important characters in Port Moody’s heritage. On the gallery walls there are a series of historic photographs depicting iconic places and events around Port Moody and quotes from the recently published history book “Tracks in Time: Port Moody’s First 100 Years”. An area is devoted to a replica 1900’s photography studio where visitors can sit and take photos and play the part of an old time Moody resident.
Inside the Plum Gallery display case are three historic artifacts: the very first ballot box used in Port Moody’s history, the official Port Moody Seal, and a Remington Typewriter pre-dating 1913. Inspired by the Remington Typewriter, Kurt Hutterli’s commissioned piece “A Writer’s Ritual Shrine” is on display. Hutterli is a Swiss-born mixed media artist who now works out of the Okanagan Valley. He has done multiple solo and group exhibits as well as installations all around B.C. and in Switzerland.
Explains Kurt: “The Arts Centre was looking for projects inspired by 100 year-old museum items. I chose a typewriter and was commissioned to create my “Ritual Shrine” as a contribution to the Arts Centre’s Cabinet of Curiosity.”
Congratulations Kurt! Look for new works by Kurt at this summer’s RipOff Artists Challenge at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Details TBA.
“A Writer’s Ritual Shrine”, by Oliver’s Kurt Hutterli, is now on display at the Port Moody Arts Centre until April 21st in an art show celebrating the Centennial of the “City of the Arts”. From the Port Moody Art Gallery website:
In its Main Gallery audiences will be transported back through Port Moody’s history. The exhibit features listening stations with interviews from important characters in Port Moody’s heritage. On the gallery walls there are a series of historic photographs depicting iconic places and events around Port Moody and quotes from the recently published history book “Tracks in Time: Port Moody’s First 100 Years”. An area is devoted to a replica 1900’s photography studio where visitors can sit and take photos and play the part of an old time Moody resident.
Inside the Plum Gallery display case are three historic artifacts: the very first ballot box used in Port Moody’s history, the official Port Moody Seal, and a Remington Typewriter pre-dating 1913. Inspired by the Remington Typewriter, Kurt Hutterli’s commissioned piece “A Writer’s Ritual Shrine” is on display. Hutterli is a Swiss-born mixed media artist who now works out of the Okanagan Valley. He has done multiple solo and group exhibits as well as installations all around B.C. and in Switzerland.
Explains Kurt: “The Arts Centre was looking for projects inspired by 100 year-old museum items. I chose a typewriter and was commissioned to create my “Ritual Shrine” as a contribution to the Arts Centre’s Cabinet of Curiosity.”
Congratulations Kurt! Look for new works by Kurt at this summer’s RipOff Artists Challenge at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Details TBA.
April is here and spring is in the air. The South Okanagan art community is showing signs of growth, just like buds in the trees.
The Oliver Art Gallery is proud to announce that during April it will be featuring the western wildlife art of Oliver artist Cameron Ogilvie.
Ogilvie was born in Scotland, where he graduated from the Glasgow School of Art. In 1963 he immigrated to Canada and resided in Calgary Alberta where he met and married his wife Margaret. Cameron supported himself with a painting and decorating business all the while continuing with his art and education. Between his art both he and his wife became ordained ministers and have taken great interest in community services. In 1980 the Ogilvie family settled in Oliver, where Cameron continues to paint with his artistic skills and does ministry work.
Cameron paints a variety of subjects, but is especially attracted to western themes and wildlife.
His work can be seen at
Oliver Art Gallery6046 Main Street, Oliver B.C. Month of AprilTuesdays – Saturdays 11:00AM – 4:00PM. Reception Friday, April 5th. 6:00 – 8:00PM.
Meet the artist ! Come and join the festivities.
The Oliver Art Gallery presently has 20 artists, showing art in a variety of styles, mediums and a great price range. There are also Art Classes on going on the premises.
2013 has brought new beginnings already. My Sister Jane and I have sold our home, which means that the Robinson Place Bed and Breakfast will no longer be after May 15th of this year. As a result of this, I have had many requests from Artists to repeat a workshop that we put on in February of 2012…”Still Life Interiors with Kindrie Grove”. It was a very successful workshop for painters and photographers alike.
I realize this is short notice, and would love it if you could attend. Our home, as you know, is very eclectic, and always changing. It is our last chance to indulge in and use the atmosphere for our creative expression.
If you would like to attend this workshop, I have two suites available for accommodation at $100.00 per night. This can be shared between friends.
I will be staying in Naramata when I move, and will continue to organize other Art Weekend Workshops. In the near future, starting in June we will be offering Plein Air at Beichman Estate, Plein Air in Las Vegas painting the Wild horses and Burrows, a trip to Southern Italy, and many more exciting opportunities.
I am excited about this change, although it has been difficult to let go of our family home. The good news is that I will have much more time to dedicate to the artist in me. I look forward to hearing from you.
At Medici’s Gelateria & Coffee House in Oliver, on Tuesday April 9th, here come The Spinney Brothers! All the way from the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, this is four piece, pure kick, blue- grass band, showcasing a tight brother duet vocal-style, awesome family harmonies and outstanding musicianship.
The Spinney Brothers’ musical identity is the sound of traditional, southern-flavoured bluegrass music. First generation bluegrass legends have been an important musical influence on the band, yet their music is equally shaped by their personal lives and local heritage. By incorporating original material, which draws from various sources, The Spinney Brothers effortlessly intertwine the past with the present.
They are fresh! They are exciting! They are traditional bluegrass music. These boys can weave some truly amazing harmony sounds and then rev it up another couple of gears and kick it real good.
Tickets are $25 and will likely sell out in advance. Get ‘em’ at Medici’s at 522 Fairview Road in Oliver, Beyond Bliss on Main or at Dolci Deli in Osoyoos.
The Spinney BrothersTuesday April 97:30 Show ~ Doors open 6:30 Medici’s Gelateria and Coffee House522 Fairview Road250-498-2228
At Medici’s Gelateria & Coffee House in Oliver, on Tuesday April 9th, here come The Spinney Brothers! All the way from the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia to the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, this is four piece, pure kick, blue- grass band, showcasing a tight brother duet vocal-style, awesome family harmonies and outstanding musicianship.
The Spinney Brothers’ musical identity is the sound of traditional, southern-flavoured bluegrass music. First generation bluegrass legends have been an important musical influence on the band, yet their music is equally shaped by their personal lives and local heritage. By incorporating original material, which draws from various sources, The Spinney Brothers effortlessly intertwine the past with the present.
They are fresh! They are exciting! They are traditional bluegrass music. These boys can weave some truly amazing harmony sounds and then rev it up another couple of gears and kick it real good.
Tickets are $25 and will likely sell out in advance. Get ‘em’ at Medici’s at 522 Fairview Road in Oliver, Beyond Bliss on Main or at Dolci Deli in Osoyoos.
The Spinney BrothersTuesday April 97:30 Show ~ Doors open 6:30 Medici’s Gelateria and Coffee House522 Fairview Road250-498-2228
The BC Arts Council has awarded the Oliver Community Arts Council a total of $7487 for its 2013 – 2014 operating costs. The award includes Basic Assistance funding of $1587 (based on population and geographical distance from the Lower Mainland), Local Government Matching grant of $3500 (matched by Oliver Parks and Recreation Society), and an Annual Performance Award of $2400 (requiring a separate essay and based on merit).
Oliver’s arts council applies annually in September and, after a period of adjudication by a BCAC advisory committee, receives notice of this award by March of the following year. This award is in response to the September 2012 application, and will be directed to 2013-14 operations.
Besides notice of the financial award, the Oliver Community Arts Council received the following praise from the adjudicators:
“A wide variety of community accessible programming” in 2012 with special commendation given to the liaison with the Oliver Community Garden Society, noting that “the cross-purpose of maintaining the facility grounds and teaching kids to garden was seen as practical, very creative, and inclusive.” The arts council has a Memorandum of Understanding with the garden society and also allotted funding in support of the summer-long “Art and Gardening” program for children
The BC Arts Council wrote: “Congratulations are given for the high membership numbers which indicate your success in meeting your mandate. The application indicated the arts council is working in collaborative ways which was great to see in a small community.” Also noted for artistic achievement and community accessible events were our participation in Oliver’s Sunshine Festival Parade, a big band concert in the spring, several children’s activities, and student bursaries.
The adjudicators were also enthusiastic about the arts council’s organizational capacity, including Board training opportunities. “Overall capacity of the arts council is now seen as very high, [with efforts to] stem potential Board burnout through tangible solutions.” Some of those solutions included restructuring committees to spread the workload, and maintaining good Board turnover rates.
Praise was also forthcoming for the arts council’s publicity. As part of its application package, the arts council submitted copies of its marketing materials for review including its brochure, monthly newsletter and links to its blog website. “Marketing materials were well-received [by the BCAC] including the logo and motto ‘Art Learned ~Art Loved~ Art Lived” .
Renovations at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre were lauded, noting that “plans for use of the space were considered” when prioritizing work to be done. A number of capital improvements were completed in 2012, including rollup doors, interior kitchen renos, and exterior landscaping.
Commendation was received for inclusiveness in administration and programming. Special mention was received for accessible events, hiring SOAICL for some of the cleaning and maintenance of the property, and for featuring Aboriginal art at the Fall Art Show and Sale.
The Oliver Community Arts Council wishes to thank the Town of Oliver and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, through the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society, who generously match our provincial funding with $3500 in local dollars. We cannot operate without this added boost!
The arts council also thanks its individual (65), group (17) and business (15) members. Your tangible patronage through the purchase of an annual membership doubles the benefits to the OCAC by offsetting our expenses AND by influencing the amount of operational funding we receive from the Province of BC.
The British Columbia Arts Council is an independent agency that supports arts and cultural activity in communities across British Columbia through the dispersal of Province of BC funds. Besides funding professional artists, arts organizations, community initiatives, training and scholarships, the BC Arts Council also acts as an advocate for the Arts in B.C., provides public education and conducts research that helps inform provincial arts policies.
Contributed by David Badger, Medici’s Gelateria and Coffee House
