Art is definitely not “for the birds” – except in this one instance. The Oliver Community Arts Council and the Fibre Art Network (FAN) are excited to be sponsoring “For the Birds”, a travelling art exhibit featuring a flock of 88 feathered friends. This colourful display of fibre art from across Western Canada comes to roost briefly at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre in Oliver before taking flight on a three-year tour.

Using birds as their theme, 62 members of FAN created personal interpretations of all aspects of a bird’s life, interests and interactions with the world it inhabits. The exhibit features eight-inch square pieces of artwork in a wide variety of fibre mediums, styles and innovative techniques. Each miniature, like the birds they represent, is a tiny marvel of ingenuity and beauty.

The exhibit will be open July 16 and 17, Friday and Saturday, from 10 am – 4 pm both days, in the smaller Studio Building at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre (5840 Airport Street, Oliver). Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Any current COVID-19 restrictions will apply. Weather permitting, the Studio bay doors will be rolled open for maximum ventilation.

FAN is a 90+ member co-operative network of fibre artists from across Western Canada. Every year, FAN produces a large format exhibition for galleries, and a small format exhibit designed to be loaned to guilds, art groups and libraries throughout Canada for a three-year tour.

For the Birds is the group’s current small exhibit, which begins extensive touring in September. The Arts Council and FAN are pleased to preview this exhibit before it migrates to other parts of Canada. See it before it flies away! Binoculars not required.

To learn more about this exhibit or other FAN exhibitions and artists, go to fibreartnetwork.com.