Oliver Community Arts Council
The Oliver Community Arts Council (OCAC) has been a hub of artistic activity in Oliver, British Columbia since 1970. The OCAC is a non-profit society and registered its charitable status in September 2006.
We are an umbrella group currently representing the many groups and businesses and about 80 individual and family members, including both art-related and arts-supporting members.
The OCAC slogan is Arts Learned • Arts Loved • Arts Lived, reflecting our constitutional aims, listed below.
Our Mission
- to educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts in all its forms
- to provide instructional seminars and workshops on topics related to the performing and visual arts
- to produce arts festivals.
Our Vision
- We believe our aim is to turn learners into lovers of art, and once art is loved, it becomes fully lived.
- Art Learned
- Art Loved
- Art Lived
Support
- We contract services with our members, supporting several additional arts performances, events, and workshops throughout the year.
- We also provide two bursaries for local students per year to assist them in their post-secondary arts education.
Board of Directors
OCAC Board members are elected at the AGM in February. Each term is for one year, and the Board consists of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three to seven Directors.
Here is our current Executive for 2025:
- President: Roberta Barens
- Vice President: vacant
- Treasurer: Jan Kreut
- Secretary: Cheryl Andrews
and our Directors:
- Nadia Wilson
- Bernice Myllyniemi
- Colleen McCombe
- Doris Kuehn
- Robert Rougeau
- Martin Anthony
- Natasha Warkentin
- Swati Pathak
- Helena Gerson
Location
The Quail’s Nest Arts Centre at 5840 Airport Street, just west of the airport, is home to the OCAC and consists of two buildings:
STUDIO: The Quails’ Nest building is used for meetings, workshops, classes, and rehearsals and it houses the OCAC office. This space is available to our members for rental opportunities.
BIG BLUE: the larger building on site is home to SOAP (South Okanagan Amateur Players) for theatrical storage, set painting, and rehearsals.
The Oliver Community Arts Council mounts several major public events throughout the year. Follow us on Facebook, sign up for our newsletter, and follow our calendar for updates.
California Quail
The OCAC takes as its logo the quirky California Quail against a background of sun, sky, hills, and vineyards.
The quail thrives in the warm and sunny South Okanagan climate. The quail is a familiar and distinctive sight in Oliver. The quail is a social bird, feeding, travelling, and roosting in large groups. They have delicate colouring that seems to change with the light. Their loud, theatrical “ka-kaaah- kaa!” lets people know they’re coming. Quail produce large families – a clutch of eggs can number as many as 18.
Attractive, quirky, fertile, comic, social, bustling, and fun to watch – like a quail, there’s no better way to describe what the Oliver Community Arts Council is.
Standing Committees
- Executive Committee
- Finance Committee
- Communications Committee
Ad Hoc Committees
- Arts in Action Committee
- Oliver Creates – A Collaborative Art Show & Sale Committee
- Oliver Music in the Park Committee
Our Mission and Vision
1
The Oliver Community Arts Council aims to foster a vibrant arts community by providing resources, support, and opportunities for local artists and art enthusiasts. We strive to create an inclusive environment that encourages creativity and collaboration among diverse groups.
2
Through various programs and events, we engage the community in artistic endeavors, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation. Our initiatives are designed to inspire participation and showcase the talents of local artists, enhancing the cultural fabric of Oliver.
3
We also focus on educational outreach, offering workshops and classes that cater to all skill levels. By nurturing artistic talent and providing learning opportunities, we empower individuals to express themselves and develop their creative skills.
4
Our council collaborates with local businesses, schools, and organizations to create partnerships that benefit the arts community. These collaborations help us to expand our reach and impact, ensuring that the arts remain a vital part of life in Oliver.
5
Ultimately, our goal is to enrich the community through the arts, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among residents. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating and supporting the vibrant artistic culture of Oliver.