Summerland Community Arts Council

Promoting and Facilitating Awareness and Appreciation of the Arts in Summerland, BC History All non-profit societies have their ups and downs and in July 1997 the SCAC reached a new low when all but two of its directors, frustrated at the lack of community support and volunteer help, resigned. Who would have thought that less than a year later the arts council would not only be in existence but would be thriving in its new location in the former municipal office on Main Street? The revival, spearheaded by Helen Poncelet and Barbara Etter, was due to a combination of hard work (which included some creative arm twisting), timing and, last but not least, pure good luck when Municipal Council responded positively to the arts council’s lobbying for a new home. Early in 1998 the former municipal hall became the Art Centre & Gallery and renovations got underway to create a multi-purpose art space. The first, and most important, renovation project was to create a two room art gallery. This meant knocking a hole in the wall and creating an archway, painting walls, pulling up lino and putting in track lights. The work was all done by volunteers and by spring all was ready for the first exhibition, which opened in May. It was a gala event featuring the work of painter and sculptor Zelko K. That same month 75 street banners were hung. That summer Art Walk and the Summer Arts Program for kids, supported by the former council, were reinstated. A number of other programs begun by former art council boards were continued as well. These included: • the entertainment series held during winter • quarterly newsletters • art gallery exhibitions • workshops for kids and adults throughout the year Recent initiatives included: • The banner project • Tile for toonie project • Philospher’s Cafe • studio tours • Gift Gallery • Season’s Sparkles • Christmas card competition • permanent collection (policy & art works) • Artist-in-Residence program In early 2014 we learned we would have to leave our home of sixteen years and after over 1800 hours of volunteer time we found a new location, renovated, painted and moved into the new Summerland Arts Centre at 9908 Main Street. Photos and more information on this move can be found on our website http://summerlandarts.com