Arts council 2017 a burst of creativity

With a full slate of officers and directors, four of them new, the Oliver Community Arts Council is ready for a creative 2017. The council starts the year with several new arts projects already in the works, a high rating of their year-end finances, and the highest ever performance award from the BC Arts Council with the operating grant totalling over $13,000. A local government grant of $4000 will be added to this total later in 2017.

In 2016, the arts council disbursed funds locally to arts and music programs in local schools ($5,000), contracted services for nine local arts events ($4500), and offered two bursaries to graduating SOSS students ($1000), in addition to administering its own arts events and maintaining the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.

At their Annual General Meeting on Monday February 13, the arts council membership acclaimed directors Janet Bednarczyk, Andrea Gunnlaughson-Furlan,  Brian Mapplebeck, Bernice Myllyniemi, Lillian Sim, JoAnn Turner, Caroline Whyte, and officers  Penelope Johnson (President), Janice Goodman (Vice President), Diane Gludovatz (Treasurer) and Nathan Linders (Secretary). The gathering gave their appreciation for retiring directors Terry Irvine and Christine Seibeck, and also expressed their gratitude for departing Treasurer Arleyene Farnworth. Farnworth has been contracted for service as the external bookkeeper, maintaining the computerized system for the council.

The council has just completed a smooth transition to the new BC Societies Act and, at the AGM, approved a full set of new by-laws, based on the government’s Model By-laws.

During the meeting, plans for the Wine Capital Art Walk (May 11) and the Canada 150 Mosaic Mural Project (May 30 – June 1) were announced. A committee of arts council members, Oliver Tourism, Oliver-Osoyoos Winery Association, and the Oliver Business Association are already preparing for an evening art extravaganza on Main Street this spring, including exhibits, live demonstrations, wine tastings, live music, and other performance art.  The evening concludes with art draws and refreshments at Medici’s. The arts council is also supporting the Town of Oliver in a community arts initiative to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial. This spring, all residents will be invited to paint one of 600 tiles in a mosaic mural, to be mounted in the downtown area later this year.

Following the business of the AGM, representatives from member arts groups shared their news for upcoming arts events. Three choral concerts, several music and dance performances, fibre workshops, a theatrical production, and some exciting Canada 150 exhibits are already being planned this spring.

The arts council has set dates for all its 2017 events. In addition to the Wine Capital Art Walk and the Mosaic Mural Project, the arts council will present the following events: Showcase of Talent (May 3), Music in the Park (every Thursday evening in July and August), the Fall Art Show & Sale (Sept 30 – Oct 1) and the Community Christmas Concert (November 26).

Membership in the arts council is a great way to keep current with local arts news, stay connected with artists, and show support for the arts. Membership at the group and business level includes free advertising in monthly newsletters, on the website, and at their public events. More information is at http://oliverartscouncil.org/?page_id=9604 and olivercac @ gmail.com

Green thumbs with community spirit make plans for 2012

contributed by Heather Whittall

Gardeners everywhere are looking at seed catalogues and dreaming of the day when they can start planting their gardens. The fun of planning just doesn’t compare with the smell of fresh earth and the feel of soil in your hands and the sun on your back.

Workshops and presentations for gardeners of all ages will be the big focus at this year’s Annual General Meeting of the Oliver Community Garden Society. “Of course we also have raised-bed garden boxes available for rent,” says Luke Whittall, president of the Garden Society. “Not everyone has the space to build a garden. Our raised beds are easy to access and easy to work. You can have tomatoes growing in no time.”

Flowers, peppers, herbs, peas, beans, and pumpkins, have also done well in the past at the Community Garden. “Any crop suitable for raised bed gardening will work great here,” says Whittall. “Our plan this year is to provide totally automatic irrigation for the whole garden site. If you’re away for a couple weeks on vacation, you won’t have to worry about your garden getting watered.”

We have big plans for the Oliver Community Garden this year! Not only do we want to make it lusher and greener and more of the enchanted space we’ve been dreaming of over the winter, but we want to awaken the sense of community a garden can bring.

The Oliver Community Garden Society will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Monday, March 12th at 7 pm at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, Studio Building on Airport Street which has also been the location of the Garden since the 2011 growing season. Though it is less visible than the previous location on Main Street, Whittall does not see it as an issue. “It’s makes for a much more serene gardening experience. On Main Street, it was loud with all the traffic noise and there was no shade. At the Quail’s Nest, it’s much more quiet and we have great shaded areas.”  The society welcomes all to attend and contribute to the discussion of what you would like to see the Community Garden do this summer and over the coming years. We are already planning a number of workshops and welcome your input on their topics.

The  community garden willl be holding monthly workshops on second Saturdays of each month starting in May as well as getting the youth of the community more involved and educated in the wonders of gardening. The kickoff is a great big Plant Sale and Garden Warming Party on Saturday, May 26th at the Oliver Community Garden at the Quail’s Nest Art Centre.

Visit the Oliver Community Garden Society online at  http://olivercommunitygarden.wordpress.com

We’re on Twitter! http://twitter.com/olivergarden

Now on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oliver-Community-Garden/207352179362353

For more information:  olivercommunitygarden @ yahoo.com

AGM for Quails

All Oliver Community Arts Council members and visitors are welcome to the OCAC’s  Annual General Meeting on Monday February 27 at 9:30 a.m. at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, 5840 Airport Road.  Renewing and new memberships are welcomed at the meeting. Coffee, tea, and refreshments provided.  The AGM is kept short, with a financial year-end report from the Treasurer, a report from the president, and the election of 2012 officers and directors.

Nominations for officers are: Penelope Johnson (President), Esther Brown (Vice President), Diane Gludovatz (Secretary) and Arleyene Farnworth (Treasurer). Ten additional nominees will stand for eight positions as directors of the Board, assuring a democratic election.  Additional nominees for all positions are welcomed.

The 2011 Board gave a vote of thanks at its recent meeting for retiring directors Marilyn Marsel, Steve Staresina, and Roger Ulasovetz, and for officers Jack Bennest, treasurer,  and secretary Shirley Corley-Rourke.  Bennest and Corley-Rourke are both running  for director positions in 2012.

Following the AGM is Arts Jam! the monthly gathering to share local arts news and views. Meet the creative crowd, and find out what’s coming up in the local arts scene!

 

“Roadside Geology” at Heritage AGM

Have you ever looked around this great valley we live in and wonder just what it is you seeing? What forces came together to make McIntyre Bluff or Balancing Rock? How were the precious metals deposited here? What is it about the geology that makes this such a good wine growing area?

As the special presentation for our Annual General Member’s meeting this year, the Oliver and District Heritage Society is fortunate to welcome well-known geologist, author, and artist Dr. Murray Roed, who will answer some of these questions. The public is welcome.

Accompanying the presentation will be a display of Murray’s artwork. As a self-taught artist, Murray has put his love of geology to the fore within beautiful landscapes that adorn his books. Some of Roed’s artwork, capturing the backbones of the Okanagan Valley on canvas, is presented here. More about this wonderful artist can be found at his websites:

http://www.worldarttours.net/MARbiognew.html
http://geoscapes.ca/

Murray has a new book fresh off the presses called Okanagan Geology South: Geologic Highlights of the South Okanagan, British Columbia. This book describes the geologic development of the Valley clearly and concisely. It also provides maps for ‘roadside geology’. By following the maps and directions, you can take a self-guided tour of the major geologic features of the South Okanagan. This is a unique and well-appointed addition to the resources that aid in the understanding of the natural environment that surrounds us. Murray will be talking about the development and purpose of the book, introducing some of the unique geologic finds in our area. Murray will be signing copies of his book, which will be available at the AGM.

The local arts community will add to the exhibit with their own works on display. To round out the evening, there will be an opportunity to taste local wines.

All of this takes place on

Wednesday, May 18
 7 PM
Quail’s Nest Art Centre
34274 – 95th St.,  Oliver

We welcome everyone to come and enjoy this unique opportunity as we celebrate another year of development in the heritage of the Oliver area!

For further information, please call Lynn at the archives, 250-498-4027, or Darryl at the museum, 250-498-0490.

"Roadside Geology" at Heritage AGM

Have you ever looked around this great valley we live in and wonder just what it is you seeing? What forces came together to make McIntyre Bluff or Balancing Rock? How were the precious metals deposited here? What is it about the geology that makes this such a good wine growing area?

As the special presentation for our Annual General Member’s meeting this year, the Oliver and District Heritage Society is fortunate to welcome well-known geologist, author, and artist Dr. Murray Roed, who will answer some of these questions. The public is welcome.

Accompanying the presentation will be a display of Murray’s artwork. As a self-taught artist, Murray has put his love of geology to the fore within beautiful landscapes that adorn his books. Some of Roed’s artwork, capturing the backbones of the Okanagan Valley on canvas, is presented here. More about this wonderful artist can be found at his websites:

http://www.worldarttours.net/MARbiognew.html
http://geoscapes.ca/

Murray has a new book fresh off the presses called Okanagan Geology South: Geologic Highlights of the South Okanagan, British Columbia. This book describes the geologic development of the Valley clearly and concisely. It also provides maps for ‘roadside geology’. By following the maps and directions, you can take a self-guided tour of the major geologic features of the South Okanagan. This is a unique and well-appointed addition to the resources that aid in the understanding of the natural environment that surrounds us. Murray will be talking about the development and purpose of the book, introducing some of the unique geologic finds in our area. Murray will be signing copies of his book, which will be available at the AGM.

The local arts community will add to the exhibit with their own works on display. To round out the evening, there will be an opportunity to taste local wines.

All of this takes place on

Wednesday, May 18
 7 PM
Quail’s Nest Art Centre
34274 – 95th St.,  Oliver

We welcome everyone to come and enjoy this unique opportunity as we celebrate another year of development in the heritage of the Oliver area!

For further information, please call Lynn at the archives, 250-498-4027, or Darryl at the museum, 250-498-0490.

New faces, new positions on 2011 Board

The arts council held its annual general meeting on Monday February 28 at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre. Despite the snowy morning, there was a good turnout and the membership was rewarded with a tight electoral race, some exciting local art news, and a coffee social.

OCAC President Esther Brown stepped down from the position she’s held for the last two years,  and was replaced by Penelope Johnson. Also acclaimed to the executive positions were Darryl MacKenzie as Vice President, Jack Bennest as Treasurer, and newcomer Shirley Corley-Rourke as Secretary.

Eight directors were elected to the Board from a slate of eleven after a close race.  One position required a second ballotting process.  New faces in the directorship are Marilyn Marsel, Leann Parrent,  and Roger Ulasovetz.  Returning to their seats are Sally Franks, Brian Mapplebeck, Jennifer Mapplebeck, and Steve Staresina. Past president Esther Brown also won a director’s seat.

In her annual report, outgoing president Esther Brown highlighted some of the arts council’s most notable achievements in the last year. She credited partnerships with other organizations as helping the arts council stay vibrant and “front and centre” in the community. Among the partnerships she named were two fund raising concerts with the Penticton Concert Band, the “Best Bloomin’ Garden Contest”  (part of the Oliver Communities in Bloom programme), an spring exhibit at the Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, a collaborative meeting with the arts councils from the Thompson-Okanagan region (TONAC), an historical display courtesy of the Oliver and District Heritage Society at the Fall Art Show and Sale, the Oliver Kiwanis mural project, and a budding partnership with the Oliver Community Garden Society.  Esther Brown received loud applause for her report.

Treasurer Jack Bennest was pleased to announce that 2010 was a well-managed fiscal year.  OCAC programme committees worked hard to trim expenses and reach a cost-neutral outcome. Several small fund raising  projects offset government and gaming cutbacks to the arts. A successful BC Arts Council application in the fall netted a $1500 basic grant (based on population), plus $3500 matching grant (added to $3500 provided by Oliver Parks and Rec ),  plus a performance award bonus of $2000 recognizing meritorious actvity in 2010. 

A vibrant Arts Jam! gathering followed the AGM. Representatives from several arts groups were in attendance , announcing their spring events. Information about the 2011-12 concert series, a choir concert, a fibre workshop, a quilt exhibit, a fine art show, the upcoming SOAP comedy and other arts celebrations can be found elsewhere on the blog. Stay tuned! There’s lots of exciting stuff in the works!

The arts council thanks Esther Brown for her dedication to the OCAC during her presidency. The council also thanks outgoing secretary Penny Ruddy and 2010 directors Shirley Nilsson, Hella Prochaska, and Craig Rusinek  for their service on the Board.

Members Welcome New Board

The Annual General Meeting of the OCAC saw the acclamation of four new Board members, all of whom have joined the arts council within the last year. The new directors are Hella Prochaska, Shirley Nilsson, Darryl Mackenzie (of Oliver and District Heritage Society) and Craig Rusinek (of Nature’s Elements Jewelry). Returning OCAC president Esther Brown described the new Board as “a balance, a perfect mix” of experienced members and fresh ideas.

Prochaska, Nilsson, Mackenzie and Rusinek join returning Board members: Esther Brown (President), Penelope Johnson (Vice President), Jack Bennest (Treasurer), Penny Ruddy (Secretary), and directors Sally Franks, Brian Mapplebeck, Jennifer Mapplebeck, and Steve Staresina.

Retiring from the Board this year are Stephanie Salsnek (past Vice President), Heather Fink, Linda Blaschuk, and Jan Kreut. President Esther Brown thanked them for their years of dedicated service. All four remain active members of the OCAC, providing valuable contrinutions on many committees and projects.

In the photo above, the newly acclaimed president cuts the Volunteer Appreciation cake following the AGM. Sage Valley Voices Choir representative Linda Nunweiler looks on. A closeup of the cake is below. A BIG “thank you” to all our volunteers!

Photo credits: Thea Haubrich, of Twin Lakes Encaustic Art

We Appreciate You!

Please join us at the OCAC Volunteer Appreciation celebration at the Arts Jam! gathering immediately following the

Oliver Community Arts Council
Annual General Meeting
Monday February 22, 2010
9:30 a.m.
Quail’s Nest Arts Centre

 

Thank you for the many ways you dedicate your time and energy to the arts council: all the various committees, OCAC programme volunteers, plant operations, repairs and cleaning, administration, and donations. Join us for a special cake and lots of toasting!

Interested in playing a leadership role? Nominations for all Board positions are still being accepted. Email olivercac@gmail.com and a member of the Nominating committee will contact you immediately.