Art classes resume for children and teens

The Oliver Sagebrushers are ready to start the second semester of Children’s Art classes. Classes run every Saturday from March 3 – March 31.

Ages 4 – 7 years :  9 – 10 a.m. $5.00 per session

Ages 8 – 12 years:  10.30-12   $10.00 per session

Ages 13 – 18 years:  1-2.30 p.m. $10.00 per session

Fees include supplies.

March 31 will conclude with a Reception and Art Show.

The classes will be instructed by Leza Macdonald accompanied by a member of the Sagebrushers. Leza is a skilled, energetic and fun art teacher. Kids will enjoy discovering their talents under her tutelage. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay and learn along with their child.

Classes are kept to between 10 and 12 participants.

Please register early by emailing Leza at leza @ eastlink.ca.

Cowboy Christmas at Rustico

The Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club are celebrating the opening of a second gallery room at Rustico Farm & Cellars Winery, where they have been showing their works over the last several months.  The artists’ productivity and sales have warranted this new expansion.

Join them to celebrate a Cowboy Christmas! Tour the new gallery area, stock up on gifts of art and wine, listen to some live country music, and chow down on some warm chili and hot mulled cider around the campfire.  Artists will be on hand throughout the weekend to tour or answer questions.

The entertainment will feature country singer Mikie Spillett from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday Dec.3.  Everyone is welcome: It’s family fun!

The monies donated during the Cowboy Christmas will go to the Desert Valley Hospice Society.

Sagebrushers invite you to “hee-haw” this Friday

Get an early start to THE premier arts and culture weekend in Oliver!

Let yer cowboy boots go walkin’ down to Rustico Estate Winery for the Nashville Rocks Rustico concert this Friday September 30 from 5 – 9 p.m. Take a gander at the Quail’s Roost gallery, lay down some dollars for some real purty artwork, sip some lip-smackin’ wines and treat yerself to a bottle. Linger for the great country music, including Andi Zack’s current Billboard hit! This whole she-bang supports the gallery and the Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club, so make yer donation as big as yer ten-gallon hat! 

Hit the hay after all yer foot-stompin’ and hee-hawin’ cuz the weekend ain’t over! Don’t fergit the Fall Art Show and Sale at the ol’ Oliver Community Centre Saturday October 1 from 3 – 9 pm. The show and sale just keeps on a-comin’ the next day as part of the Festival of the Grape held at the same venue: Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.  See details below. Git along now, just scroll on down the page…

Sagebrushers invite you to "hee-haw" this Friday

Get an early start to THE premier arts and culture weekend in Oliver!

Let yer cowboy boots go walkin’ down to Rustico Estate Winery for the Nashville Rocks Rustico concert this Friday September 30 from 5 – 9 p.m. Take a gander at the Quail’s Roost gallery, lay down some dollars for some real purty artwork, sip some lip-smackin’ wines and treat yerself to a bottle. Linger for the great country music, including Andi Zack’s current Billboard hit! This whole she-bang supports the gallery and the Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club, so make yer donation as big as yer ten-gallon hat! 

Hit the hay after all yer foot-stompin’ and hee-hawin’ cuz the weekend ain’t over! Don’t fergit the Fall Art Show and Sale at the ol’ Oliver Community Centre Saturday October 1 from 3 – 9 pm. The show and sale just keeps on a-comin’ the next day as part of the Festival of the Grape held at the same venue: Sunday from 12 – 5 p.m.  See details below. Git along now, just scroll on down the page…

Sagebrushers Week at Studio

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Drop by to watch the Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club as they demonstrate some of their painting techniques at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre this week. The Studio is open daily from now until Saturday July 16,  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Tour the studio exhibit of their completed works, and chat to the artists!  

Photo Credit: Jack Bennest, Oliver Daily News

Quail’s Roost at Rustico

The Quail’s Roost Gallery had a successful grand opening on Sunday May 1, the permanent exhibit space for the Oliver Sagebrushers. Pictured at left are Bruce Fuller and Dot Cranston enjoying the celebration.  The venue provides an appealing rustic counterpoint to the artwork, as pictured below.  The “Roost” has its own chairlift installed for visitors with decreased mobility. Founding member of the Sagebrushers Agnes Sutherland demonstrates, with Sally Franks and Bruce Fuller looking on.  All artwork is for sale. Turn west of Highway 97 onto Road 16, then left onto 123rd Street, and follow the signs to Rustico Farm and Cellars Winery to view the gallery!

Photo credit: Leza Macdonald

Quail's Roost at Rustico

The Quail’s Roost Gallery had a successful grand opening on Sunday May 1, the permanent exhibit space for the Oliver Sagebrushers. Pictured at left are Bruce Fuller and Dot Cranston enjoying the celebration.  The venue provides an appealing rustic counterpoint to the artwork, as pictured below.  The “Roost” has its own chairlift installed for visitors with decreased mobility. Founding member of the Sagebrushers Agnes Sutherland demonstrates, with Sally Franks and Bruce Fuller looking on.  All artwork is for sale. Turn west of Highway 97 onto Road 16, then left onto 123rd Street, and follow the signs to Rustico Farm and Cellars Winery to view the gallery!

Photo credit: Leza Macdonald

Quail’s Roost Gallery Opening May 1

Art and business have not always been easy to merge. Almost stereotypically, one thinks of artists being their own worst enemy when it comes to promoting and selling their work.  Sometimes artists complain that commercializing their art undercuts their creative expression.  Those  in the business of selling art may be frustrated by artists who undersell their own work, or have little idea of marketing, framing or self-promotion.

The opening of not one but two new galleries in Oliver this month indicates that local artists are going to be trying very hard to prove that stereotype wrong.

1. Check out the Oliver Sagebrushers opening of their permanent exhibit space at the Quail’s Roost Gallery on Sunday May 1 at 2:00 p.m.at Rustico Cellars Estate Winery.  Meet the artists, live entertainment, refreshments and wine tastings.  The Oliver Sagebrushers are a vibrant and longstanding fine art club in Oliver, and a founding member of the OCAC.

2. Visit the Oliver Art Gallery for its “soft opening” on Monday April 25  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 34848 – 97 St. Oliver across from  the Cock and Bull.  The OAG is a co-operative of about 12 artists on permanent rotating display and sale, with a growing number of associate artist displaying and selling less frequently. They are also a brand new member of the Oliver Community Arts Council.

The Oliver Community Arts Council has for the last few years been encouraging artists to think “business” when thinking art.  The presence of business people on the  OCAC Board in the last few years, has had a positive influence on the way local artists publicize, present, and sell their work.  Being proud of our local artists, demanding  artistic excellence of ourselves and others, and valuing that excellence accordingly — this is all part of  how the arts council hopes the arts in Oliver will flourish.  

For example, the OCAC’s Fall Art Show and Sale has been setting higher standards for artwork – not only the work itself but also its framing quality (or other manner of presentation) and its pricing.  As another example,  several member arts groups have learned the value of professional quality publicity and PR.  It is a pleasure to see arts groups setting the bar ever higher on their own work: bringing in professional resource people, learning new skills, expanding their repertoire,  and never being satisfied with “what we did last year”. The public may also notice prices, whether for performance tickets or artwork  have been increasing to better reflect the quality of local arts.  Many local artists — fabric artists, sculptors, fine artists, actors, musicians —  rival those anywhere in Canada.

So visit these new galleries often. Bring your friends and guests. Talk to the artists.  Ask questions about their work.  Learn something new before you leave.  Tell them what you like – and don’t like!  Encourage them in their new businesses. Offer your expertise and ideas. The OCAC slogan Art Learned~ Art Loved ~ Art Lived aptly captures the hopes of these two new galleries.  Learn about art, love it, then take it home and live with it!

Quail's Roost Gallery Opening May 1

Art and business have not always been easy to merge. Almost stereotypically, one thinks of artists being their own worst enemy when it comes to promoting and selling their work.  Sometimes artists complain that commercializing their art undercuts their creative expression.  Those  in the business of selling art may be frustrated by artists who undersell their own work, or have little idea of marketing, framing or self-promotion.

The opening of not one but two new galleries in Oliver this month indicates that local artists are going to be trying very hard to prove that stereotype wrong.

1. Check out the Oliver Sagebrushers opening of their permanent exhibit space at the Quail’s Roost Gallery on Sunday May 1 at 2:00 p.m.at Rustico Cellars Estate Winery.  Meet the artists, live entertainment, refreshments and wine tastings.  The Oliver Sagebrushers are a vibrant and longstanding fine art club in Oliver, and a founding member of the OCAC.

2. Visit the Oliver Art Gallery for its “soft opening” on Monday April 25  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 34848 – 97 St. Oliver across from  the Cock and Bull.  The OAG is a co-operative of about 12 artists on permanent rotating display and sale, with a growing number of associate artist displaying and selling less frequently. They are also a brand new member of the Oliver Community Arts Council.

The Oliver Community Arts Council has for the last few years been encouraging artists to think “business” when thinking art.  The presence of business people on the  OCAC Board in the last few years, has had a positive influence on the way local artists publicize, present, and sell their work.  Being proud of our local artists, demanding  artistic excellence of ourselves and others, and valuing that excellence accordingly — this is all part of  how the arts council hopes the arts in Oliver will flourish.  

For example, the OCAC’s Fall Art Show and Sale has been setting higher standards for artwork – not only the work itself but also its framing quality (or other manner of presentation) and its pricing.  As another example,  several member arts groups have learned the value of professional quality publicity and PR.  It is a pleasure to see arts groups setting the bar ever higher on their own work: bringing in professional resource people, learning new skills, expanding their repertoire,  and never being satisfied with “what we did last year”. The public may also notice prices, whether for performance tickets or artwork  have been increasing to better reflect the quality of local arts.  Many local artists — fabric artists, sculptors, fine artists, actors, musicians —  rival those anywhere in Canada.

So visit these new galleries often. Bring your friends and guests. Talk to the artists.  Ask questions about their work.  Learn something new before you leave.  Tell them what you like – and don’t like!  Encourage them in their new businesses. Offer your expertise and ideas. The OCAC slogan Art Learned~ Art Loved ~ Art Lived aptly captures the hopes of these two new galleries.  Learn about art, love it, then take it home and live with it!

Oliver Sagebrushers Set to “Paint the Town”

Arts council member group, the Oliver Sagebrushers, is working with Town contractor Laurena Weninger to help spruce up Oliver’s downtown. Weninger was hired by the Town of Oliver to help businesses improve their appearance and marketing strategies.  One of her objectives is to help businesses make use of  $50,000 remaining in  “Paint the Town” grant money.

The Oliver Sagebrushers have been brought on board to paint a series of moveable art panels which can be hung in any vacant store windows along Main Street. This will ease the transition when storefronts are temporarily closed, and help those store windows gain sidewalk appeal. The fine art group hopes this will also increase morale of neighbouring businesses who may fear loss of customer traffic when other businesses close.  By beautifying the window space,  Main Street will retain curbside appeal year round.

The advantage of the project is the decorative art panels can be “recycled” as businesses open and close.  As new temporary window dressing is needed, panels can be moved and rehung.

Comments? More information about this project? Want to get involved? Contact olivercac@gmail.com and we’ll connect you with the Oliver Sagebrushers.

Oliver Sagebrushers Set to "Paint the Town"

Arts council member group, the Oliver Sagebrushers, is working with Town contractor Laurena Weninger to help spruce up Oliver’s downtown. Weninger was hired by the Town of Oliver to help businesses improve their appearance and marketing strategies.  One of her objectives is to help businesses make use of  $50,000 remaining in  “Paint the Town” grant money.

The Oliver Sagebrushers have been brought on board to paint a series of moveable art panels which can be hung in any vacant store windows along Main Street. This will ease the transition when storefronts are temporarily closed, and help those store windows gain sidewalk appeal. The fine art group hopes this will also increase morale of neighbouring businesses who may fear loss of customer traffic when other businesses close.  By beautifying the window space,  Main Street will retain curbside appeal year round.

The advantage of the project is the decorative art panels can be “recycled” as businesses open and close.  As new temporary window dressing is needed, panels can be moved and rehung.

Comments? More information about this project? Want to get involved? Contact olivercac@gmail.com and we’ll connect you with the Oliver Sagebrushers.