OACS HISTORY

"Artists Helping Artists" since 1945

The Okanagan Artists of Canada Society is one of the oldest art associations in BC. In April 2019, the club voted unanimously to donate their 'History Books' to the Vernon Museum. Please visit the Vernon Museum & Archives to view the collection.

Photo:  Bill Davis, Jean MacKerrell, Merve Boe​ 1906

A Brief Overview of OACS History

2025 Celebrating our 80th year as an Art Club

​This treasure trove of history has been kept in the club's library and thankfully, cherished and passed on over the years. In April 2019 the entire collection was donated to The Vernon Museum.
​2017  "Okanagan Artists of Canada" renamed "Okanagan Artists of Canada Society" and is a registered society
2010  "Okanagan Artist League" renamed "Okanagan Artists of Canada"
1980  "Vernon Resident Artist League" renamed  "Okanagan Artist League" and expanded outside of Vernon. Motto:  "Artists Helping Artists"  We still have this motto in 2022
1975  "Vernon Artist Association" was renamed "Vernon Resident Artist League"
1945-1979  The "Vernon Artist Association" was registered in 1968 under the Societies Act and received many grants
Picture
OACS history now part of the Vernon Museum

Membership Samples

Okanagan Artists of Canada Society:
​2023-2024 = 85 members
2018-2022 = 75 members
Okanagan Artist League:
2007-2008 = 35 members
2004-2005 = 54 members
1986-1987 = 105 members
1981-1982 = 108 members

Club Symbol Development

Palette and brush, tools of the artist, appear frequently in historical documents of the “Okanagan Artist’s League.”  Based on that history, in 2021 OACS member Wendy Hart Penner developed a contemporary logo to be used with respect to the clubs’ roots.

1945 - 1979 Background of the "Vernon Artists Association":

1972 - 1981 Short History of the "Okanagan Artists League":

1978-2007 OACS Articles, Photos and Show Posters:

1980's Artist Paint Outs:

1990 - 1993 Newsletter Cover Photos:

2008 - 2017 Shows:

2022 - 2024 "FALL for ART" Annual Show:
Posters designed by Shannon Wylie 

2022 - 2024 OACS Members Monthly Newsletter:
​Created, designed and produced by Wendy Hart Penner

2024
08/31/2024 - Art✏️​
07/04/2024 - Summer is Here! ☀️
05/29/2024 - Artists Helping Artists✌️
04/30/2024 - May🌻
03/27/2024 - Spring has Sprung 🌱
03/04/2024 - "A Trio's Spring Expressions"
02/29/2024 - Show Time! 🎉
01/31/2024 - What's Up!
01/01/2024 - Happy New Year 🎉
2023
​11/28/2023 - “Tis the Season
​10/29/2023 - Fall for Art 
09/28/2023 - Fall for Art
08/23/2023 - Sorrento Retreat
05/01/2023 - Learn Socialize & Grow
04/01/2023 - March On
03/01/2023 - OACS Elections
02/22/2023 - Art in the Mall
01/01/2023 - Welcome 2023!
2022
​12/29/2022 - Jingle Bells
11/26/2022 - Fall for Art!
10/29/2022 - Fall for Art
09/30/2022 - Mackie House
07/28/2022 - Art Walk
05/29/2022 - May Day
04/27/2022 - What’s going on…
03/03/2022 - March on!
02/23/2022 - We Want Your Help!
01/03/2022 - What’s New for 2022