Early birds get the worm .. . and the art. The Fall Art Show & Sale (FASS) comes early this year, following the lead of Oliver’s Fall Festival Weekend. The exhibit is Saturday September 23 – Sunday September 24, 2023 at the Oliver Community Centre, concurrent with the Cask & Keg and Festival of the Grape. (Why the permanent move to the third week of September? See the end of this article.)
The two-day art show includes a competition in nine categories, public voting, exhibits and demos, entertainment, reception, awards show, and door prizes. Because the Falll Festival attracts many tourists, artists have opportunity for art sales and exposure.
Visual artists in all media and of all ages may enter up to two works. Media categories include photography, fibre arts, oils, acrylics, watercolours, three-dimensional, and mixed / other media. Two categories for youth, Emerging Artists (13 -18 yrs) and Budding Artists (12 and under), invite entries in any visual medium. Gifted senior students may choose to enter a specific adult medium category. Awards are given in each category. Fibre arts includes (but is not limited to) quilting, weaving, needlework, tapestry, and fashion design. Three-dimensional includes sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, metalwork, glasswork, and other craftwork that is best viewed from all angles and / or would be best displayed on a plinth (pedestal).
The art show has no theme this year, simply “Artist Choice”, encouraging you best work. In addition to awards in each category, one award is presented for “Best in Show”.
Entry forms must be received by Friday, September 1. Art work is not required until September 23, giving artists three extra weeks to create. Late acceptance of a form may be permitted, but only if notice is given before deadline. Early entries are entered into an early bird draw. Youth entries receive an extension of one week (Friday September 8).
Arts council membership is not required but does reduce the entry fee for adult submissions. Emerging Artist submissions are $10. The fee is waived for Budding Artists but numbers are limited. Membership forms are available HERE.
FASS entry forms are available below, and on the entry form page HERE . Click the Download button to save and then fill out the form. More information is available via OliverCAC@gmail.com. Forms will be available at the Oliver Visitors Information Centre on Station Street, Oliver, BC. Entries are accepted by mail, by scan and e-transfer, and at the Visitors Centre (sealed envelopes ONLY).
The festival weekend has moved its dates permanently to the third weekend of September in order to give honour to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (with Indigenous Peoples), which falls on September 30. This later date would often coincide with preparations for the festival weekend. It is felt that better respect can be paid by moving festivities to an earlier week, leaving the September 30 available for work crews, volunteers, participants and attendees to pay respects.
