Canada 150 Mosaic Mural has a tile for you

The Town of Oliver has received full funding for an exciting community arts project called the Canada 150 Mosaic Mural. Six hundred tiles will be individually hand-painted and mounted to create one iconic image representing Oliver. Each tile, while restricted to certain colours, can be painted in a mini-scene of each artist’s own choosing.  The finished artwork will be assembled and permanently installed on the east side of the Archives building, facing Main Street near the John Oliver statue.

Every person in Oliver BC, artist or not, is invited to paint their own tile. It only takes one hour! Children, seniors, all abilities are welcome. This is a terrific opportunity for groups, organizations, and classes to paint together. Gather your art group, book club, friends, neighbourhood, church group, school class  — whatever! — and make a fun group activity. Or book yourself solo and celebrate the “150” with other folks in your one-hour time slot.

The painting days are Tuesday May 30, Wednesday May 31 and Thursday June 1. Times are 10 – 7 on the first day, and 10 – 4 on the last two days. Closed for lunch from 12 – 1 each day. Pick the best one-hour slot that works for you.

The arts council is providing the painting venue, the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Street. There will be room for between 30 and 40 participants per 1-hour slot.

INFORMATION about the Canada 150 Mosaic Project:

http://oliver.ca/canada-150-mosaic-oliver

BOOK your slot:

http://oliver.ca/canada-150-mural-mosaic-book-spot-community-painting-workshop

You can book for yourself, or on behalf of your group, but you will need to provide the exact number of participants at time of booking. Don’t miss out!

You can also get some help at Oliver Town Hall by booking by phone:

(250) 485-6200

Create a lasting memory and celebrate Canada’s birthday with us!

Screaming success

ripoffs 2016Here is a photo of the RipOff artists with their creations just after the bell rang on Saturday signalling the end of this year’s challenge.

Although the iconic painting, “The Scream” by Edvard Munch is considered a depressing picture, the RipOffs did their best to liven it up.   Each of the nine artists added an element from the previous nine years challenges: perhaps a dancing girl from Toulouse Lautrec, a cypress by Vincent van Gogh, or a tulip by Geoorgia O’Keeffe. In addition, the current challenge was to add an anachronism – often a reason for the “scream”. For example, a number of artists chose some form of industrialization or climate change in the background as their anachronism. Guest artist, Bethany Handfield with her encaustic talent was a delightful addition.

To celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary, a grand opening reception was held in “big blue”.  Guests were surrounded by previous year’s RipOff challenge pieces.  Shown together the impressive display gave kudos to the merits of the RipOff’s artistic achievements.

The artists wish to thank the Oliver Community Arts Council  for their support in mounting this year’s special anniversary challenge.

Who knows what the group will conjure up for next year.  Perhaps something acknowledging Canada’s 150th birthday….any suggestions?

Rolling into the New Year

Over the December holidays, two new rollup doors were installed on the Studio Building at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.  The doors are insulated to improve heating efficiency, and have four windows each to improve natural light.  Larger window panels were considered by the Board, but concerns with overall weight and loss of insulating R-value resulted in the four smaller panes. However, Studio building users have already commented on the “exceptional natural light” now available for art classes.  Currently primed white, the doors will be painted in the spring along with all other exterior doors at the Quail’s Nest. Watch for a call for a volunteer painting party  – or submit your suggestions now for a colour!

The arts council wishes to thank the Vancouver Foundation for their aid in financing 50% of this project. Thanks are also due to past Vice President Darryl MacKenzie for making the application to the Vancouver Foundation last summer, and to Steve Staresina, Operations chair, for overseeing the project on the ground this December. Doors installed by OK Door Service.

Watch for further capital projects to be completed at the arts centre  in 2012.

Curious about renting the Studio Building or Big Blue for  art studio space, meetings, workshops, or giant garage sales? Contact us at olivercac @gmail.com to receive a perusal copy of the rental contract and rates.

Christmas Arts Jam toasts 2011

All are welcome to attend the last arts gathering of the year:

Arts Jam!
Monday December 12
9:30 a.m.
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
34274 95th Street  

It’s a no-host gathering, so potluck nibbles are encouraged. Bring a few squares or veggies to share. Tea, coffee and mulled cider provided.  

This is not a business meeting but a “news-and-views” forum for the membership and visitors. A great way to connect with arts-minded folks and find out what’s going on in the local arts. Share some highlights of recent performances and gallery shows. Announce your upcoming arts events. Bring a calendar to keep track of dates for 2012. Celebrate the successes of 2011 with us! Cheers!

Colourful Memories: A Photo Spread

The Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers Guild have happy memories of their Natural Dyeing Workshop at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre on June 28 – 29, 2011, an event financially supported by the Oliver Community Arts Council.  The instructor was Coby Vandergast. A follow-up session was held at a member’s home. Don’t the results look gorgeous? Enjoy these wearable “fall colours”!

Remember too, that their Slow Fibre Fest is coming up next weekend! October 29 at the Penticton Seniors Centre on 2965 South Main Street, Penticton, 10 am to 5pm. There’s a Wearable Art Fashion Show at 2:00 pm. Demonstations throughout the day! Sales and fun exhibits all day long. Scroll down the page for another article with more information. Entrance FREE but bring your wallet because you’ll want to pick some fall colours for yourself!  

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Gail Erickson

Community Living Helps Out at the Quail’s Nest

Clients of the Southern Okanagan Association of Integrated Community Living (SOAICL) have been contracted this past summer to assist with groundskeeping at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Under the direction of SOAICL staff Mike Bell, the group has kept weeds at bay with periodic weed whacking. Arts Council board member Sally Franks and treasurer  Jack Bennest have been instrumental in arranging for SOAICL’s assitance to keep the grounds neat.

The arts council Board recently approved a contract with SOAICL to pay for monthly cleaning inside the Studio Building at the Quail’s Nest. The arts council’s cleaning crew co-ordinator Marion Trimble is stepping down from her post after many years of quiet behind-the-scenes labour. With that in mind, the Board has now divvied up the cleaning duties between Quail’s Nest user groups and SOAICL. Repeat users are responsible for the lighter and more regular housekeeping duties to keep the centre neat, clean,  and tidy, while SOAICL is now contracted to do heavier duty cleaning such as washrooms and floors.

THANK YOU!! to Marion Trimble for keeping us bright and shiny all these years!

THANK YOU!! to Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club for continuing to provide cleaning crews!

THANK YOU!! to the hard working SOAICL team for taking a load off our shoulders!

Community Living Helps Out at the Quail's Nest

Clients of the Southern Okanagan Association of Integrated Community Living (SOAICL) have been contracted this past summer to assist with groundskeeping at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Under the direction of SOAICL staff Mike Bell, the group has kept weeds at bay with periodic weed whacking. Arts Council board member Sally Franks and treasurer  Jack Bennest have been instrumental in arranging for SOAICL’s assitance to keep the grounds neat.

The arts council Board recently approved a contract with SOAICL to pay for monthly cleaning inside the Studio Building at the Quail’s Nest. The arts council’s cleaning crew co-ordinator Marion Trimble is stepping down from her post after many years of quiet behind-the-scenes labour. With that in mind, the Board has now divvied up the cleaning duties between Quail’s Nest user groups and SOAICL. Repeat users are responsible for the lighter and more regular housekeeping duties to keep the centre neat, clean,  and tidy, while SOAICL is now contracted to do heavier duty cleaning such as washrooms and floors.

THANK YOU!! to Marion Trimble for keeping us bright and shiny all these years!

THANK YOU!! to Oliver Sagebrushers Art Club for continuing to provide cleaning crews!

THANK YOU!! to the hard working SOAICL team for taking a load off our shoulders!

Whatcha Got Cookin’?

The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre has seen a number of improvements this summer.  This past week kitchen cupboards, countertops,  and a stove were installed in the lunchroom area of the smaller Studio Building. Here arts council Board member Brian Mapplebeck checks out the oven.  

“THANK YOU!” to:
Colleen Polychroniou who donated the materials and appliances
Trevor Eckstein who installed the kitchen
Steve Staresina who is helping with removal of old units
Sally Franks, Esther Brown, and Linda Nunweiler who cleaned and filled the cupboards

At a later date, a second-hand dishwasher (also courtesy of Colleen Polychroniou) and a new fridge will be installed. The kitchen will also get a fresh coat of paint to complement the new look.

Whatcha Got Cookin'?

The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre has seen a number of improvements this summer.  This past week kitchen cupboards, countertops,  and a stove were installed in the lunchroom area of the smaller Studio Building. Here arts council Board member Brian Mapplebeck checks out the oven.  

“THANK YOU!” to:
Colleen Polychroniou who donated the materials and appliances
Trevor Eckstein who installed the kitchen
Steve Staresina who is helping with removal of old units
Sally Franks, Esther Brown, and Linda Nunweiler who cleaned and filled the cupboards

At a later date, a second-hand dishwasher (also courtesy of Colleen Polychroniou) and a new fridge will be installed. The kitchen will also get a fresh coat of paint to complement the new look.

Sagebrushers Week at Studio

sagebrushers33

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

Spring Cleaning at the Quail’s Nest

Heavy spring rains have resulted in a jungle of long grass and weeds at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.  The facility needs some sprucing up! The arts council will be holding a spring cleanup on

Friday June 17
Saturday June 18
8 a.m. – 12 noon each day
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
34274 – 95th Street, Oliver

Pick the best day for you or focus on a different task each day: mowing, weeding, light indoor cleaning, trimming, polishing, and removing waste materials to the dump.  

The following items would be appreciated: gardening shears, weedwhackers, a gas lawnmower, and trucks and trailers to cart junk to the dump.  A variety of gardening tools will come in handy.  bring what you can!

There’s a task for every ability. Many hands make light work!

Spring Cleaning at the Quail's Nest

Heavy spring rains have resulted in a jungle of long grass and weeds at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.  The facility needs some sprucing up! The arts council will be holding a spring cleanup on

Friday June 17
Saturday June 18
8 a.m. – 12 noon each day
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
34274 – 95th Street, Oliver

Pick the best day for you or focus on a different task each day: mowing, weeding, light indoor cleaning, trimming, polishing, and removing waste materials to the dump.  

The following items would be appreciated: gardening shears, weedwhackers, a gas lawnmower, and trucks and trailers to cart junk to the dump.  A variety of gardening tools will come in handy.  bring what you can!

There’s a task for every ability. Many hands make light work!

Arts Council “Growing” relationship with Community Garden

The arts council hopes to grow a green thumb in 2011. 

Oliver Community Garden Society reps Heather Whittall and Marji Basso proposed a partnership with the arts council at the January meeting of the OCAC Board. The Community Garden has been seeking a new location, after their two-year tenancy at the Murray property on Main Street. The Murray property has been slated for other development. 

The Community Garden proposal included a request for land use at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre  (34274 95th Street) and  installation of 20 – 30 container beds,  a small storage shed, and other garden features.  The proposed area is a narrow strip of land 100 x 25 feet running north-south along the west side of the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre property,  adjacent to a back alleyway.

An exciting component to this partnership are proposed arts and culture projects. Whittall and Basso suggested events of mutual benefit to the two societies, including educational workshops,  children’s gardening programmes, and joint artistic installations such as painted picket fencing, decorated paving stones, a gazebo, birdhouses, and statuary.  Basso described the proposed garden as a “magical” space, that would be an attractive, inviting  and self-contained  area.

A joint committee of the two organizations is currently writing a memorandum of understanding that will delineate land use, leasing arrangements,  security, liability coverage, and water usage and access.   

Visit the Oliver Community Garden Society website at  http://olivercommunitygarden.wordpress.com/ . Interested in joining the Community Garden and book your container bed? Contact olivercommunitygarden@yahoo.com.

Comments or questions about this partnership? Email the arts council at olivercac@gmail.com.

Arts Jam! November 22 and December 20

Are you ready to JAM?

Join the Oliver Community Arts Council on the fourth Monday of each month for an informal gathering to share news and views on all things artistic.

ARTS JAM!
Monday November 22
9:30 a.m.
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
34274 95th Street
(across from the Oliver airport)
 

Find out what art-y events are coming up in Oliver and the area. Learn more about the activities of all Oliver’s arts and culture groups.   Share your opinions about the arts council’s role in promoting art.  Propose some new ideas. Meet new friends. This is not a business meeting, but definitely a place to let your voice be heard and to keep current on the Oliver art scene.

Coffee, tea, and nibbles  are provided.

December’s Arts Jam is always a little different: It’s a little earlier in the month, and the nibbles are potluck. Bring half a dozen holiday goodies to share!

 ARTS JAM!
Monday December 20
9:30 a.m.
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre
34274 95th Street
(across from the Oliver airport)