See Staresina in September

Country Roadby Michael Jorden, B.Sc., M.B.A.

In March 2010, I received a phone call from Steve Staresina, an Oliver painter who I had known as one of the Oliver artists associated with the Quails Nest Arts Center. Steve had a vision that, because of the closure of an established commercial gallery on Oliver’s Main Street, an opportunity had arisen to create a new commercial gallery dedicated exclusively to local artists from the south Okanagan. He was determined to make sure Oliver continued to have a community art gallery. The Oliver Art Gallery – well into its third year – exists because of his vision. No dreams however – no matter how noble – are brought about without effort. A few hundred hours of ‘sweat equity’ were invested in bringing about this vision – by Steve in particular and his intrepid assistants including yours truly. In April 2010 the Oliver Art Gallery opened its doors with six members. Today it is a registered artists Co-operative with twenty one members and running like a well oiled machine.

This month, Steve is the featured artist at the Oliver Art Gallery. His choice of medium is oil and acrylic and his subject matter is the landscapes and people of western Canada. As a child living in Croatia, Steve was influenced by Roko Stokic, a wheelchair bound artist with whom he spent countless hours sketching hands, feet, faces and figures of friends and neighbours. He stood out among his peers and had his first art gallery show at the age of seven. He has had a varied career in business and the construction industry but has devoted himself to painting full time only since retirement. He is a participating member of a number of arts organizations including the Oliver Community Arts Council, Oliver Sagebrushers and the Oliver Art Gallery Artists Co-operative.

Steve’s work will dominate the gallery during September. Come and view his art Tuesday through Saturdays between 11:00AM and 4:00PM at 6046 Main Street in Oliver.

The Oliver Art Gallery is also presenting Art Classes for the fall. Come in and register for drawing classes, painting classes, pastels and more.

Stuff and staff needed for Quail Garage Sale

Come give us a hand with the

Quail Garage Sale
Saturday June 16
9 a.m. –  2  p.m.
“Big Blue” Building
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
5840 Airport Street 

 

Donate your good used items to a worthy cause! Start saving your unwanted “stuff” now! Your rummage is welcome for drop off at the Big Blue Building at the arts centre on Friday June 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. No heavy or bulky items please! Just things one person can lift.

Volunteers are needed to help sort and price on Friday, and to help with sales and pack up on Saturday, during the hours listed above. Please contact OliverCAC @ gmail.com to volunteer, for more information, or for assistance with your rummage donations.

Many thanks to Linda Nunweiler for offering her leadership to this arts council fund raiser!

Help Plant Sale “bloom” on May 26

by Heather Whittall, Oliver Community Garden Society

We’ve been hard at work preparing for our big Bloomin’ Plant Sale on Saturday May 26th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. We’ve held a plant sale in combination with Communities in Bloom for the past 3 years but this year we’re flying solo as the Communities in Bloom competition is finished for Oliver, for now.

Gardeners will want to check out the plants and other gardening products for sale, as well as bring along some seeds for an informal seed swap on site.

This year we’re hoping to make the sale more of an event. We have The Gala Vanters lined up to play some live music, there will be a craft corner for the kids, food, local vendors, loonie auction, lots of gardening information and of course, lots of plants. The Oliver Ambassadors will also be on hand for the festivities.

We still need help with a few things:

First, we need plants to sell! If you’re digging in your garden and have plants to divide and pass on, send them our way! We’ll gladly take those extra perennials or bulbs. Rearranging and no room for that rosebush? Let us help you find it a new home. Please call or email us and we can arrange to pick the plants up from you. In-kind donations  are welcome from local businesses and individuals who want to support this very “green” community garden project. It’s a great way to show your support of this eco-friendly group, and encourage more gardening. Donations of soil, fertilizer, seed, garden equipment, gardening clothes and accessories, or anything else related to gardening would be warmly welcomed.

The second thing is a food vendor. We’d love to have a BBQ set up selling hamburgers and hotdogs so consider this an invitation to a local service group to grab an extra fund raising opportunity. You can keep all the profits – we’d just like to have food available as part of the event.

Can you help us out? Call Heather at 250-485-2575 or email olivercommunitygarden @ yahoo.com

And the last way you can help? Come to our Bloomin’ Plant Sale! There will be lots to see and do and you’ll be glad you did. See you there!

http://olivercommunitygarden.wordpress.com/

Now on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oliver-Community-Garden/207352179362353

Help Plant Sale "bloom" on May 26

by Heather Whittall, Oliver Community Garden Society

We’ve been hard at work preparing for our big Bloomin’ Plant Sale on Saturday May 26th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. We’ve held a plant sale in combination with Communities in Bloom for the past 3 years but this year we’re flying solo as the Communities in Bloom competition is finished for Oliver, for now.

Gardeners will want to check out the plants and other gardening products for sale, as well as bring along some seeds for an informal seed swap on site.

This year we’re hoping to make the sale more of an event. We have The Gala Vanters lined up to play some live music, there will be a craft corner for the kids, food, local vendors, loonie auction, lots of gardening information and of course, lots of plants. The Oliver Ambassadors will also be on hand for the festivities.

We still need help with a few things:

First, we need plants to sell! If you’re digging in your garden and have plants to divide and pass on, send them our way! We’ll gladly take those extra perennials or bulbs. Rearranging and no room for that rosebush? Let us help you find it a new home. Please call or email us and we can arrange to pick the plants up from you. In-kind donations  are welcome from local businesses and individuals who want to support this very “green” community garden project. It’s a great way to show your support of this eco-friendly group, and encourage more gardening. Donations of soil, fertilizer, seed, garden equipment, gardening clothes and accessories, or anything else related to gardening would be warmly welcomed.

The second thing is a food vendor. We’d love to have a BBQ set up selling hamburgers and hotdogs so consider this an invitation to a local service group to grab an extra fund raising opportunity. You can keep all the profits – we’d just like to have food available as part of the event.

Can you help us out? Call Heather at 250-485-2575 or email olivercommunitygarden @ yahoo.com

And the last way you can help? Come to our Bloomin’ Plant Sale! There will be lots to see and do and you’ll be glad you did. See you there!

http://olivercommunitygarden.wordpress.com/

Now on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oliver-Community-Garden/207352179362353

Lots to love at Sunday Showcase

Paw Prints Studio and Gallery hosts
Sunday Showcase
Sunday, February 5th
1-4 p.m.

Find your Valentine something special all month long. No RSVP’s required.  Stop in, say hi… see what’s new… have a sip of red or white in honour of St Valentine!  Paintings, prints, cards, gift certificates, and more!

Your hosts,

Stephanie & John Salsnek
Paw Prints Studio & Gallery – The Art of John Salsnek
www.ArtofJohnSalsnek.com
1.888.256.3600

 

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.

It's the FASS — at LASST!

The Oliver Community Arts Council is excited to present the
Fall Art Show and Sale (FASS)
Theme: “Outside the Box”
Oliver Community Centre, 79th Street
 
Saturday October 1
FREE admission
3 – 9 p.m. Show, Sale, and Silent Auction
3 – 8 p.m.: Public Voting
7 – 9 p.m. Reception with Jazz Out West, Door Prizes
8:45 – 9 p.m.: Artist Winners announced
 
Sunday October 2
Admission through Festival of the Grape
12 – 5 p.m.: Show, Sale, Silent Auction, and Artist Demos

View many interpretations of the “Outside the Box” theme in eight artistic categories: photography, fibre arts, 3 -D, oils, acrylics, watercolours, other media, and a category for young “emerging artists”.

View the artwork, vote for your favourites, purchase artwork, bid in the silent auction, and tour fascinating non-competitive displays such as the RipOff Artists American Gothic and demonstrations. Visit the arts council information booth. In the evening, nibble at the reception, listen to live entertainment, and be present for the announcement of category winners and “Best Interpretation of the Theme”.

The Sunday entrance is free with your paid entrance to the Festival of the Grape. The exhibits and sale continue, as does the silent auction. Meet the artists. View the category winners and the overall “Best in Show”.

Watch for cute little wine glass tags commemorating poster art from the last four art shows. They make great souvenirs as well as being handy to wear on your Festival of the Grape glass on Sunday.

Bring your chequebook because, in addition to the great art, arts council memberships, souvenirs and gift items on sale, you will definitely want to enter the silent auction!

The silent auction has 50 amazing items for bid! The auction continues the “Outside the Box” theme. Bid on dozens of tempting hand-painted boxes laden with various themed goods. Each box is filled with items such as “a night at the theatre”, “home preserves”, “vacation”, “outdoor living”, “games night”, “school days”, “kitchenware”, “gardening”, “coffee bar” , “tea for two” or “bath and beauty”, just to name a few. Each filled box makes an attractive gift or keep it for yourself and display it at home. Expect the bidding to be exciting right to the last minute!

It’s the FASS — at LASST!

The Oliver Community Arts Council is excited to present the
Fall Art Show and Sale (FASS)
Theme: “Outside the Box”
Oliver Community Centre, 79th Street
 
Saturday October 1
FREE admission
3 – 9 p.m. Show, Sale, and Silent Auction
3 – 8 p.m.: Public Voting
7 – 9 p.m. Reception with Jazz Out West, Door Prizes
8:45 – 9 p.m.: Artist Winners announced
 
Sunday October 2
Admission through Festival of the Grape
12 – 5 p.m.: Show, Sale, Silent Auction, and Artist Demos

View many interpretations of the “Outside the Box” theme in eight artistic categories: photography, fibre arts, 3 -D, oils, acrylics, watercolours, other media, and a category for young “emerging artists”.

View the artwork, vote for your favourites, purchase artwork, bid in the silent auction, and tour fascinating non-competitive displays such as the RipOff Artists American Gothic and demonstrations. Visit the arts council information booth. In the evening, nibble at the reception, listen to live entertainment, and be present for the announcement of category winners and “Best Interpretation of the Theme”.

The Sunday entrance is free with your paid entrance to the Festival of the Grape. The exhibits and sale continue, as does the silent auction. Meet the artists. View the category winners and the overall “Best in Show”.

Watch for cute little wine glass tags commemorating poster art from the last four art shows. They make great souvenirs as well as being handy to wear on your Festival of the Grape glass on Sunday.

Bring your chequebook because, in addition to the great art, arts council memberships, souvenirs and gift items on sale, you will definitely want to enter the silent auction!

The silent auction has 50 amazing items for bid! The auction continues the “Outside the Box” theme. Bid on dozens of tempting hand-painted boxes laden with various themed goods. Each box is filled with items such as “a night at the theatre”, “home preserves”, “vacation”, “outdoor living”, “games night”, “school days”, “kitchenware”, “gardening”, “coffee bar” , “tea for two” or “bath and beauty”, just to name a few. Each filled box makes an attractive gift or keep it for yourself and display it at home. Expect the bidding to be exciting right to the last minute!

Oliver Art Gallery Grand Opening May 25

The Oliver Art Gallery, located on Oliver’s Main Street,  holds its Grand Opening on Wednesday May 25 from 1 to 7 p.m.

The gallery is run as an artists’ co-operative. Artists include  Sandra Albo, Shannon Ford, Barb Hillier, Brad Hillis, Michael Arne Jorden, Dale Matthews, Arlie Richards, Jane Scheffler, Denise Soule (left), Steve Staresina, George Traicheff, Roger Ulasovetz, Ivanna Zita,  pen and ink artist Sandy Boblin, and photographer Paul Eby. 

The art gallery provides exhibition space for local artists from Summerland to Osoyoos, and an inviting place for art lovers to visit and enjoy. The location takes advantage of highway exposure on Oliver’s busy main street. Artists hope the colourful venue will catch the eye of motorists and summer strollers, both tourists and locals.

Artist Steve Staresina, a driving force behind the establishment of the new gallery, rounded up a group of like-minded artists who put their time and energy into creating a beautiful space with new paint, tile, walls and lighting.

“This really is a group effort,” maintains Staresina. “It is all of the artists working together that is making this possible”.  Staresina (left) teaches regular art classes at the Quail’s Nest Art Centre, and together with Leza MacDonald, painted the mural at the Oliver Kiwanis Market.

“The arts make up over 30 percent of Canada’s GDP,” says Staresina, “and I am determined to bring that into the open in this community that I live in.”

 

The Grand Opening includes appetizers, beverages, and entertainment. The artists  invite you to experience the relaxation and pleasure of being surrounded by original artwork (such as that of Shannon Ford, left), which will delight and draw you in with the imagination, colour and the imagery of each piece.

Oliver Art Gallery 
34848 – 97th Street, Oliver, BC
Email: office @ oliverartgallery.ca
Telephone: 778 439 3320
http://oliverartgallery.ca

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

Leza Macdonald exhibit at the Quail's Nest

Locals will know Leza Macdonald’s work around Oliver: the south panel of the Kiwanis mural on Sawmill Road is her handiwork, as are some of the art panels brightening empty storefronts downtown.  Now Leza has her own show – and what a varied collection of artwork she has on display!  From vibrant acrylics to muted pen and inks, portraits to wildlife and wider scenes, there’s quite the selection to view … and purchase!

Meet Leza on Saturday April 9 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Quail’s Nest or make an appointment to view throughout the month of April.