Come to a Celebration of the Solstice, Peace Talks and Art for Peace exhibition at the Shatford Centre

Activities at the Shatford Centre begin at 4 pm on Wednesday, December 21st and we hope you can come to this community event. 

As in years past, some people will go to Munson Mountain to be at PenHenge at sunset around 3:30 pm on December 21st and has been our tradition, they and others can come to the Shatford Centre for warming beverages and some snacks afterwards. 

Dr Chris Purton, PhD Astronomy will begin the conversations around 4 pm to kick-off this event. There will be some references to how different cultures celebrate solstice around the world, which includes Christmas. 

Norberto Rodriguez will talk about the Art for Peace exhibition and his passion for being an artist with social activism and a lot of passion to bring peace to the world. 

Peace Talks begin around 5 pm with speakers such as:

Randy Janzen, Director of the Mir Peace Centre, Selkirk College in Castlegar. The Mir Centre builds and understands cultures of peace through learning and dialogue. Our programs and lectures make a significant new contribution to Peace Studies and Justice Studies in Canada and the world.

JJ Verigin will be speaking and brings his UN and world view to the conversation. From the internet: J. J. Verigin received his post-secondary education in Canada, Russia and Germany, and in addition to extensive world travel, spent a decade employed as a peace and disarmament advocate with Non-governmental organizations in Ottawa and at the United Nations in New York.  Returning to his home town of Grand Forks, BC in 1990, Mr. Verigin was initially employed as a USCC Executive Assistant and Working Group Coordinator, and for the past decade, as USCC Executive Director. 

Paul Crawford, Director/Curator of the Penticton Art Gallery will be speaking. Paul has curated exhibitions from artists in Syria and other war torn countries in the world. 

There will be a ‘humble meal’ with donations of produce from our farmers and food that we will bring together for this community event. 

This event is by donation, suggested to be $10 and $20 for families.

by Marion Trimble

News from the Agnes Sutherland Memorial Committee…….WE HAVE A PIANO!

The Venables Theatre lobby has a magnificent addition.  The Grand Piano we’ve been hoping for exceeds our expectations.   It’s a beautiful piece of craftsmanship lovingly cared for in its past life – a glossy black instrument with rich tones.  Such a blessing to have it installed in its new home before Christmas.

We know Agnes would be thrilled looking down, enjoying this moment, imagining with us the many possibilities the piano will give Oliver in filling our lives with more music in this marvelous setting.
Thanks to the generosity of the former owner and the donations received so far, we have managed to pay a substantial amount of the total price, and to purchase a cover and a rolling platform for the piano.

There is a small balance owing, so we continue to fundraise and hope to have it fully paid off this spring.

Towards that end, talented painter Robert Woods from Gainsborough Gallery in Calgary has kindly donated an oil painting for us to use for further fundraising.  We’ll display his very collectable work and sell tickets, hoping this will raise enough money as the final step in acquiring the piano in memory of Agnes Sutherland.

In the meantime, a celebratory welcome occasion is being planned for sometime after Christmas.  All the donors and everyone responsible for achieving our goal will be invited, and together we’ll experience the first exquisite melodic strains heard from our stunning grand piano.  We are so excited!

Editor: Agnes Sutherland, a founding member of the Oliver Community Arts Council was both a painter and a piano teacher. Her home was the venue for many house concerts over the decades, and became the inspiration for the OCAC’s “Showcase of Talent”, a regular spring event featuring local music students, organized faithfully by Sally Franks, Agnes’ daughter. After Agnes’ passing on March 25, 2016, the Agnes Sutherland Memorial Fund was established by an independent organization for the sole purpose of raising funds for a grand piano for the Frank Venables Theatre.