With a little bit of muscle, and a whole lot of heart, a new memorial bench in honour of Jennifer Mapplebeck was installed at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre on Saturday May 14. The project has been in the works since the long-time arts council director passed away on April 8, 2015.

The OCAC Board agreed to purchase a bench in the spring of 2015, a landscaping project that had been on the “to do” list. The Board had also felt the addition was especially fitting as a memorial to this tireless volunteer who had laboured away quietly behind the scenes for many years. The bench was delivered in late September, and a concrete pad laid in late fall.

The “gullwing” style bench, made of grey concrete aggregate, is situated in a sheltered corner beside the Studio Building, where Jennifer, the facility’s rental agent, could often be found tidying and cleaning. In  the warmer months, the Studio bay doors are rolled up to create an open air site for exhibits, sales, workshops and demonstrations. The bench will be a shaded place for enjoying all the artistic activity at leisure.

The bench faces the other building on site “Big Blue” where SOAP (the local theatre troupe) builds its sets and rehearses. Jennifer had been an even more active member of SOAP, first onstage as an actor and singer in the 70s and 80s, and later as a producer, stage manager, and crew. She was the set dresser for her last show, “The Melville Boys”, whose production run was dedicated to her memory.

Installation by Nathan Linders (OCAC and SOAP, pictured), Trevor Leigh (SOAP), and Penelope Johnson (OCAC and SOAP). 

Up-cycled Container Gardening

Monday, May 2

6 – 7:30 pm

Oliver Community Garden

Quail’s Nest Arts Centre

5840 Airport Street

Join us to make a teacup planter just in time for Mothers’ Day, and learn about creative planters from Caroline Whyte. Bring along an old boot or other container if you wish. Workshop is hands on and both kids and adults are welcome. Fee of $7 per person to cover supplies.

For more information or to register email olivercommunitygarden @ yahoo.com or call Heather at 250-485-2575

This workshop is the first of a series being presented with the support of the Oliver Community Arts Council.

Songs of romance, love, and spring. Superlative choir with wide-ranging repertoire. OCAC member Brian Mapplebeck sings tenor! Tickets are a steal at $15, available at Beyond Bliss or at the door. Also available online at www.venablestheatre.ca

by Marion Trimble

Friends and family members recently gathered together to say goodbye to a much loved Oliver pioneer, Agnes Sutherland.  Agnes passed away at the age of 99, leaving behind a lifetime of memories of contributions in her art, music and community activism.

A permanent memorial is planned to keep alive the memory of this remarkable woman.  Plans are to purchase a baby grand piano for the lobby area of the Frank Venables Theatre.  Agnes loved music in any form and playing the piano was one of her favorite pastimes.  It seems fitting to be able to remember her talent and spirit in the impressive acoustical environment of our grand theatre lobby.

When approached, Wendy Newman, president of the Oliver Community Theatre Society was thrilled with the prospect of being able to use the lobby area to expand and encourage the musical arts while further developing the space as a rental unit.  She presented the idea to the board who have since approved in principle, the acquiring this donation of a memorial piano.

Famiy, friends, former students and music lovers alike can make donations directly to the AGNES SUTHERLAND MEMORIAL at any Valley First Credit Union Account 2826758 or cheques can be mailed.

Call Marion Trimble, 250-498-3933, for details.

Later this summer a couple of fund raising activities are planned to help speed up the process of purchasing this memorial gift.  Agnes left many works of art, too many for family members to keep.  It’s their wish to have a special reception and sale with proceeds going towards the piano purchase.  Stay tuned as a summer hoedown of country music at Rustico Winery’s Quail’s Roost Gallery is also being considered.

Editor’s Note: The Oliver Community Arts Council encourages its members to support this effort, even those who did not know Agnes. The Venables lobby can be used by many arts groups for receptions, seminars, exhibits, and small “salons”. A piano is the perfect addition to this gorgeous space.

The OCAC, being a registered charity, is highly restricted by the CRA as to where it can donate funds, and unfortunately cannot donate to this particular project. However, the Board  is investigating memorial projects within the local schools, and has OCAC funds already set aside for such purposes. Stay tuned! In the meantime, the Board issues its whole-hearted support for the piano project: let’s make beautiful music happen!

Top choreographers, world premiere pieces, National Ballet of Canada dancers, and an internationally acclaimed musical ensemble join forces with Ballet Kelowna and the Frank Venables Theatre for a special world premiere performance entitled Renaissance.

Oliver’s Frank Venables Theatre was chosen as one of only three in BC to premiere this exciting performance. “This is a wonderful tribute to Oliver whose support for the theatre has made opportunities like this possible”, says Bettyanne Hampton, Theatre Manager. ‘Ballet Kelowna and their guest artists are looking forward to bringing this visually and emotionally commanding performance to our South Okanagan audiences.’

Renaissance is a collaboration between Ballet Kelowna and Toronto’s Continuum Contemporary Music that will showcase some of Canada’s finest choreographers, dancers, musicians and composers. Two rising stars from The National Ballet of Canada, Hannah Fischer and Ethan Watts, will make a special guest appearance to perform a new duet by National Ballet’s Choreographic Associate Robert Binet.

Any one of these performances on their own is a strong draw. To see Ballet Kelowna, Continuum and National Ballet dancers together in one program is exceptional and we encourage our dance community, our music community and all those who enjoy live performance to come to this special premiere presentation.

Renaissance in on stage Sunday May 1st, 7:00 pm at the Frank Venables Theatre, 6100 Gala St, (corner of Fairview Rd,) Oliver.Tickets are available online at the FVT Community Box Office at www.venablestheatre.ca and in person at Beyond Bliss in Oliver. For information 250 498-1626.

CanwaxWest, the Penticton-based western Canadian association of encaustic artists, presents “Brilliant Moments”. The exhibition title was given to the annual show of encaustic art when teacher, founder and mentor, the late Thea Haubrich introduced encaustic painting to the local art community.

This year “Brilliant Moments”, now under the umbrella of CanwaxWest (an association Thea Haubrich dreamed of establishing), includes a special event celebrating Thea’s work and her influence.   At Leir House Cultural Centre, a permanent installation, the Thea Haubrich Memorial Wall will be revealed at the Opening Reception for “Brilliant Moments”, on May 6 from 6-8 pm.