Join the Spring Arts Faire to celebrate your creativity

The arts council hosts a new celebration this year: the Spring Arts Faire. The idea arose after some arts council members expressed a desire for a festival of the arts that did not require artwork to be sold and was not restricted to exhibit only (as at the Fall Art Show and Sale). The resulting Spring Arts Faire will allow artists to demonstrate, perform, sell, exhibit, and educate patrons about their art. Promote your services, attract new members, sell artwork or other products, book workshops, sell tickets, demonstrate your craft… it’s all up to you!  The fair is the culmination of Arts and Culture Week (April 22-28).

The Spring Arts Faire will be held on Sunday April 29 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Oliver Seniors Centre.  Public admission at the door is FREE. All are welcome to come to browse, buy, watch, learn,  and celebrate the arts!

Tables rent for $30. There is no commission charged for work sold. Email OliverCAC @ gmail.com to obtain your registration form or click on the link OCAC Spring Arts Faire Entry Form to download your copy.  All OCAC members (individuals, groups and businesses) are given priority booking starting NOW until March 31.  Registrations from non-members are welcome any time, but will fill any tables remaining after April 1, on a first-come-first-served basis. Deadline for all registrations is April 13. Register now to reserve !

The Oliver Community Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of the Oliver Daily News for this event.

Water Wise Garden Trade Fair & Workshop

Oliver’s Communities in Bloom committee presents

Water Wise Garden  Workshop & Trade Fair
Saturday, March 26
Workshop 9:30 – 12:30
Tickets $10.00  at Beyond Bliss & Medici’s Gelateria
Oliver Elks Hall (9725 – 360th Ave)

Join local experts Eva Durance* and Kathryn McCourt** at the workshop and learn about the principles of xeriscape gardening, gardening with drought tolerant plants, organic versus inorganic mulches, efficient irrigation, water wise gardens, and easy care gardens suited for Oliver’s climate. Reduce your water bills by gardening and landscaping with drought tolerant plants. let’s help make Oliver beautiful and water-wise!

Seating is limited for the workshop! Only 50 tickets available. Get yours NOW!

and
Trade Fair 9:30 -4:00
FREE and OPEN to the public, no limit
Oliver Elks Hall (9725 – 360th Ave)

Lots of items for sale related to gardening and xeriscaping in particular. Visit booths for irrigation supplies, landscaping supplies, educational information, and of course nurseries featuring drought tolerant plants.

Reasons to Xeriscape:

■Reduces water use by about 50% compared to conventional lawns or ornamental gardens
■Cost saving when water meters take effect
■Reduction in erosion hazards on sensitive soils
■Eliminates use of toxic pesticides and herbicides
■Low-water native plants provide food and habitat for South Okanagan birds, butterflies, and bees.
■ Xeriscaping will survive restricted water use during drought conditions
■Water conservation helps to mitigate the effects of climate change ad development pressures
 

*Eva Durance, who grew up in Ontario, has been a lifelong gardener and interested in garden designer for over 40 years. She has worked as a xeriscape-naturescape designer and natural systems’ restoration consultant in the Okanagan for over 15 years and has given courses and talks in xeriscape and naturescape gardening for a variety of places including Okanagan College and the City of Penticton. In addition to advanced degrees in English Language and Literature, Eva has a Diploma in Landscape Design from the Institute of Garden Design in the United Kingdom, and courses in Restoration of Natural Systems.

**Kathryn McCourt has been gardening and conserving water since she was three. Throughout her years as a public school teacher, bookkeeper, freelance writer and florist, there was always a garden and it was usually in a dry place, whether in the Okanagan, Calgary or Victoria. Since 2005, she has had her own Summerland-based business, creating, maintaining and teaching about Xeriscape.

The Oliver Community Arts Council is a partner with Oliver’s Communities in Bloom through the Best Bloomin’ Garden Contest. For more information, contact olivercac@gmail.com

Water Wise Garden Trade Fair & Workshop

Oliver’s Communities in Bloom committee presents

Water Wise Garden  Workshop & Trade Fair
Saturday, March 26
Workshop 9:30 – 12:30
Tickets $10.00  at Beyond Bliss & Medici’s Gelateria
Oliver Elks Hall (9725 – 360th Ave)

Join local experts Eva Durance* and Kathryn McCourt** at the workshop and learn about the principles of xeriscape gardening, gardening with drought tolerant plants, organic versus inorganic mulches, efficient irrigation, water wise gardens, and easy care gardens suited for Oliver’s climate. Reduce your water bills by gardening and landscaping with drought tolerant plants. let’s help make Oliver beautiful and water-wise!

Seating is limited for the workshop! Only 50 tickets available. Get yours NOW!

and
Trade Fair 9:30 -4:00
FREE and OPEN to the public, no limit
Oliver Elks Hall (9725 – 360th Ave)

Lots of items for sale related to gardening and xeriscaping in particular. Visit booths for irrigation supplies, landscaping supplies, educational information, and of course nurseries featuring drought tolerant plants.

Reasons to Xeriscape:

■Reduces water use by about 50% compared to conventional lawns or ornamental gardens
■Cost saving when water meters take effect
■Reduction in erosion hazards on sensitive soils
■Eliminates use of toxic pesticides and herbicides
■Low-water native plants provide food and habitat for South Okanagan birds, butterflies, and bees.
■ Xeriscaping will survive restricted water use during drought conditions
■Water conservation helps to mitigate the effects of climate change ad development pressures
 

*Eva Durance, who grew up in Ontario, has been a lifelong gardener and interested in garden designer for over 40 years. She has worked as a xeriscape-naturescape designer and natural systems’ restoration consultant in the Okanagan for over 15 years and has given courses and talks in xeriscape and naturescape gardening for a variety of places including Okanagan College and the City of Penticton. In addition to advanced degrees in English Language and Literature, Eva has a Diploma in Landscape Design from the Institute of Garden Design in the United Kingdom, and courses in Restoration of Natural Systems.

**Kathryn McCourt has been gardening and conserving water since she was three. Throughout her years as a public school teacher, bookkeeper, freelance writer and florist, there was always a garden and it was usually in a dry place, whether in the Okanagan, Calgary or Victoria. Since 2005, she has had her own Summerland-based business, creating, maintaining and teaching about Xeriscape.

The Oliver Community Arts Council is a partner with Oliver’s Communities in Bloom through the Best Bloomin’ Garden Contest. For more information, contact olivercac@gmail.com

“Mainly for Women” Trade Show is for Everyone

The Women of Oliver for Women (W.O.W.) Society is hosting their annual “Mainly for Women” Trade Show on the third weekend in February.  The event is held on the weekend following Valentine’s Day every year.

Mainly for Women Trade Show
Saturday February 19, 2011
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION
Oliver Community Centre
(350th Ave/79th Street)

 

“The title Mainly for Women,” explains Sally Franks (WOW’s rep to the arts council), “refers to the women and children of Oliver this trade show is designed to help.”  The WOW Society donates regularly to address the needs of women and children in Oliver. The trade show itself, however, is intended for everyone’s interests.  

Trade show booths feature products and services appealing to all members of the family: woodworking, fibre arts, personal health and hygiene products, preserves, ceramics, gardenware,  glassware, housewares, and countless gift ideas.  Small businesses and societies will also be promoting their services, with door prizes and coupons to appeal to visitors. It’s a great opportunity to pick up some information, educate yourself about their services, and maybe win a gift!

The Oliver Community Arts Council will be hosting a table. Member groups and businesses  are invited to provide brochures, flyers, coupons, tickets, posters, business cards, and even a door prize for the table. We will promote you and your upcoming events!  Drop them off at Handworks Gallery on Main Street (phone first at 250-498-6388)

The table will feature some small arts items for sale, a promotional video, membership forms, and some very nice people telling you all about what’s “jamming in the arts” in Oliver.

Volunteers are welcome to pick a shift from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (or both!) to staff the table and help promote the activities of the arts council. It’s a fun, social time. Want to join us there? olivercac@gmail.com

Want a booth at the show? They cost only $40. Contact  olivercac@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch with the WOW Society.

WOW! Welcome!

The OCAC welcomes a new member group to the arts council: Women of Oliver for Women (WOW). This active group promotes women in business and also support local projects for women in need.

The public is invited to the WOW Trade Show on Saturday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oliver Community Centre. Visit dozens of vendors and information booths offering products and services by women and/or for women: health and home care products, jewelry, pottery, artwork, handicrafts, kitchen aids and foods, and many professional services from financial planning to landscaping. Of course, there’s lots on display to appeal to men as well. Many short presentations and information sessions, and lots of door prizes offered throughout the venue. Great lunches are served!

There are many reasons to drop by the OCAC table at the show:

* purchase your 2010 OCAC membership
* find out about upcoming concerts and performances
* buy tickets to SOAP’s April production, Rumors by Neil Simon
* purchase some small items from member businesses
* pick up information about member groups and businesses
* purchase your very own OCAC quail mug, and…
* enter a contest for door prizes!