Arts Council of the Central Okanagan
421 Cawston Ave V1Y 6Z1 Kelowna, BC, Canada

Have you checked out our 'Storytellers' exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery (1315 Water Street) yet? The exhibition centres around the idea that we are all storytellers encountering narratives all the time, whether that be in books, newspapers, conversations, online media outlets or on social media. Despite these many overlapping stories that compete for attention in our daily lives, it is our own inner narrative that is our most compelling means of communication. It is the ...product of this subconscious landscape, that is represented visually in Storytellers. Click below to learn more about the art of Richard Brodeur (AKA "King Richard" - a former goalie for the Vancouver Canucks). Brodeur is one of the artists featured in Storytellers. Storytellers runs to January 31, 2021. The community gallery space, where Storytellers is on display, is free at all times, while individual admission to the rest of KAG’s gallery space is $5. Stop in and take a peek!

2020 has been a ruff year. Here's to the festive season and some much-needed cheer - happy holidays from the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan! Bring on 2021...

Art makes a great gift no matter the occasion... With Christmas Day just around the corner, check out these "tips for investing in works youor a lucky gifteewill love." Happy Holidays!

We <3 this! "A teacher’s idea and the talents of the Jazz 12 students at Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) created some holiday cheer for seniors living in care homes..." Check out the video in the article.

Storytellers - ARTSCO Exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery is NOW OPEN! Visit the Kelowna Art Gallery at 1315 Water Street to check it out. The community gallery space, where Storytellers is on display, is free at all times, while individual admission to the rest of KAG’s gallery space is $5. Storytellers runs from November 28 to January 31, 2021. Don't miss it! :D

Full episode https://artsco.ca/art-is-what-you-make-of-it/ Straight from St Lucia to the Okanagan, Nakita Edwards brings a new voice to the arts and culture scene. One may not automatically think of steel or pan drums and accounting, but Nakita is a unique talent! By day, she is an Accounting Professor at Okanagan College and in her spare time, an active steel or "pan" drum player. The COVID-19 pandemic re-ignited Nakita's passion for music. Feeling the need to connect w...ith others, Nakita posted a Facebook video of her playing which resulted in an outpouring of support. Her message to those that may have put down their instruments to focus on career etc. is, "Pick them up, play, and bring joy into the world whenever you can." We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

We can't wait for Storytellers - ARTSCO Exhibit at the Kelowna Art Gallery to open this weekend! The exhibition features the work of Richard Brodeur, The Jealous Curator and Jude Clarke, and centres around the idea that we are all storytellers encountering narratives all the time, whether that be in books, newspapers, conversations, online media outlets or on social media. Despite these many overlapping stories that compete for attention in our daily lives, it is our own in...ner narrative that is our most compelling means of communication. It is the product of this subconscious landscape, which will be represented visually in Storytellers. Storytellers runs November 28 to January 31, 2021, at Kelowna Art Gallery at 1315 Water Street. The community gallery space, where Storytellers will hang, is free at all times, while individual admission to the rest of KAG’s gallery space is $5. by Victoria Verge at KAG.

Full episode https://artsco.ca/art-is-what-you-make-of-it/ Leila Neverland has not let her passion be deterred during the time of COVID-19. She is a force to be reckoned with and has captured our hearts with her message of love. A mother, artist, and storyteller, Leila Neverland is an Okanagan-based collaborative community activist who facilitates the creation of original narratives through song, theatre, and film. Her art is as much the ambiance she creates in live perf...ormance as it is in her narratives themselves. Her powerful voice soars over her music as she offers audiences timely poetry, futurist paradigms, and compelling emotive expression. http://www.leilaneverland.com We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

Full episode https://artsco.ca/art-is-what-you-make-of-it/ Rawle James (Rawle Iam James) Deeply engaged in the arts and culture community since making Kelowna his home, Rawle is a poet, life coach, and community advocate. Diving into difficult topics head-on, he asks everyone to reflect and determine, Is there truth? and not shy away from open dialogue. ... Motivated by the power of the spoken and written word, Rawle created Inspired Word Cafe Society which "provides accessible performance poetry and literary arts events, training, and workshops for professional and amateur writers and performers across the Okanagan." Embracing the local art community, whether it’s live music, street vendors, or visual artists, supporting creatives in the city are important to him. Website http://www.inspiredwordcafe.com/ We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

John Lent is a professional writer, editor, and singer/songwriter who lives in the ridiculously beautiful Okanagan valley. Each of his 10 books of poetry, short fiction, and novels has received acclaim. As a former professor at Okanagan College, he has been a mentor to many emerging writers. John is also a singer/songwriter who performs with Lent/Fraser/Wall and Strange Ground. To watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/2TbIrix John's website (https://johnlent.ca/)... John Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/john.lent.9) We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

Full episode https://artsco.ca/art-is-what-you-make-of-it/ Susan LeBlanc initially trained as a nurse, completing her BScN at the University of British Columbia in 1986 and a Master of Health Sciences at McMaster University in 1990. Susan formed her own consulting business specializing in visioning, strategic planning, and implementation of health services. In parallel to this work, she began an ongoing exploration into her own creativity through the art of intuitive pain...ting or what Susan now calls, The Art of Becoming. It has been a journey into the deeper reaches of her soul that has nourished her heart and opened herself to creative potential. Susan’s journey has shown her the importance of recognizing and developing the creativity that dwells within each of us and how that can be central to our sense of well-being. Susan’s website: https://leblancwellness.com/intuitive-painting/) Rose Sexsmith, the former owner of Roses Pub, has a long time reputation and history in Kelowna and is grateful to be able to have been at our city's heart and pulse. "I've always loved most kinds of music and I've always loved to sing. Music truly is a universal language that connects people. Sadly, the only thing I ever knew how to play was my stereo and the karaoke machine. Learning to play the ukulele gives me music to sing with and has given me a friend for life. You can play anything on a ukulele. Taking a line from a song called Ukulele Blister, "Every song is a ukulele song." I had been so afraid to ever take guitar or piano lessons for fear of not getting it. When I realized I got it, with the ukulele it was life-changing. Everywhere I go, my ukulele goes." Rose’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/peacerose) We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

Richard Brodeur is remembered by many Canadians as King Richard, the exceptional goalie for the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, what they may not know is that Richard is also the force behind the popular: "My Childhood Hockey Memories" paintings. Richard uses many mediums including acrylics, oil and watercolour. To watch the full episode https://youtu.be/6rRnequdg1o ... Richard’s website (https://brodeurartist.com/) Richard’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/richard.brodeur.37) We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which this video was produced is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.