Fall programming is filling up at the Shatford Centre as the Okanagan School of the Arts begins fundraising efforts to install a community kitchen.
“We want to be able to work with the community to have this fabulous learning kitchen installed,” said Jane Shaak, Shatford Centre director. “We want to connect with local performers and artists that can brainstorm with us creative ways to raise funds for the Rotary Kitchen at the Shatford Centre and get this place hopping.”
One of the major fundraisers coming up for the Shatford Centre OSA is A Taste for the Arts on Sept. 28. Shaak said the third annual event will feature food, performances and the latest art exhibit, Waxing Poetic: encaustic art in the Okanagan, will be on display.
“This is a great event that features savoury culinary delights which is really a sampling of the best of our restaurants and caterers, Naramata Wines and the Cannery Brewing Company. It is a great night to support the arts,” said Shaak.
The Rotary Kitchen at the Shatford Centre fundraising goal is $220,000 and Shaak said it will be the “crown jewel” of the facility. Once installed, the kitchen will be accessible to all members of the community where culinary arts, lifestyle and wellness classes and workshops will be held.
The Okanagan School of the Arts received $37,500 from the B.C. government in a one-time funding opportunity under the B.C. Creative Spaces program. Funding was given to projects that engage underserved groups, develop community partnerships and/or collaborations and have secured other sources of support. The funds have all been diverted to the community kitchen fundraising efforts. Working with the Shatford Centre OSA is the Rotary Club, an equal partner in the initiative.
Fall and winter programs are beginning at the centre for both children and adults including classes with local artists like Jenny Long and others.
“We have lots of amazing programming coming up this fall, some of which are returning artists, musicians that people really loved and other community groups using this facility. There is a real sense of collaboration here in this beautiful centre and we are really excited about it,” said Shaak.
Returning are musicians Darrel & Saskia of The Great Plains on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. (tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door). Their songs reflect on the history and lifestyle of the rural Canadian areas.
The Shatford Centre is hosting an Actor Series with casting director Deb Green, an active member of the film industry. She will be holding workshops for adults and teens (15 years and up) on auditioning for the camera (Sept. 14 or Oct. 5) and on scene study (Sept. 20 and 23 or, Oct. 18 and 21).
A kids scene study, for ages eight to 14, is being held on Sept. 19 and 21.
In October the We Love Documentary Film Festival returns with instructor Pepita Ferrari holding a series of screenings and events that illustrate the importance of preserving and encourage documentary filmmaking.
For more on the Shatford Centre events visit their website at www.shatfordcentre.com, where you can also sign up for their e-newsletter.
Programming for the Okanagan School of the Arts can also be found online at www.osarts.com or call 250-770-7668.