 we <3 poets To celebrate Susan Andrews Grace’s upcoming new poetry class, Writing the Scholarly Poem: Research as Poetic Form, we are expressing our love for poets, especially poets working across the disciplines of theory, archives, and everyday life. We’re thinking about poets Anne Carson, Sylvia Legris, Susan Howe, Dionne Brand, Layli Long Solider, and Jordan Abel, of which the class refers. Learn more about the class and reserve your spot today! No prior writing experience required.   REGISTER NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ANNUAL REPORT 25-26 w/imagesℕ𝕆𝕋𝕀ℂ𝔼 𝕠𝕗 𝔸ℕℕ𝕌𝔸𝕃 𝔾𝔼ℕ𝔼ℝ𝔸𝕃 𝕄𝔼𝔼𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾 of the Nelson Fine Arts Centre Society (Oxygen Art Centre dba) on Friday, November 6, 2026 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM(doors: 5:00 PM; meeting begins: 5:35 PM) ℍ𝕐𝔹ℝ𝕀𝔻: In-person at Oxygen Art Centre & Online via Zoom (registration required)MEETING DOCUMENTS (without images) Nelson Fine Arts Centre Society (Oxygen Art Centre dba) invites membership and the public to attend their 2025-2026 Annual General Meeting on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:30 PM in person at the artist-run centre’s downtown Nelson facility or online via Zoom (registration required). The Annual General Meeting is a great opportunity for the community to learn about the past year’s programming and operations, review the organization’s financial situation and fundraising initiatives, and gather to vote on the incoming 2026-2027 Board of Directors. The AGM is free to attend; however, membership is required to participate in voting. Not a member yet? Become a member for just $5 – $15 to support arts and culture in your community! At the Annual General Meeting we will celebrate Oxygen’s programming and team of staff + board, especially as they complete a year’s long strategic planning process with Nate Gerber (Interplxy). While no board members will be stepping down at this meeting, three board members will be up for re-election, including Laurel Terlesky, Erica Konrad, and Emilie Leblanc-Kromberg (Secretary). Only one vacancy will be open for nominations from membership at the meeting. Returning board members include Riya Garg (Chair), Christine Wallace (Treasurer), Kevin Suggitt, Allison Morgan, and Clee Brandt. Become a Member of Oxygen Art Centre to participate in nominations and voting. The newly formed board will be instrumental in shaping Oxygen’s future as the organization enacts its strategic planning work plan over the next year. To access the Annual Report documents in advance of the meeting, please click here.REGISTER to attend via ZOOMBECOME A MEMBERLEARN MORE |
| EDUCATION Oxygen Art Centre’s Fall Semester: Part Two deadlines approach!  ︎ Taking place from September 23, 2026, to December 5, 2026, at the artist-run centre’s downtown facility, the program features classes in screen printing, drawing, photography, and everything in between. Many classes are already full or nearing their deadline to register. Reserve your spot today!Wednesdays Oxygen’s Life Drawing sessions offer a weekly opportunity to draw from a professional model in a studio setting. Poses will typically begin with short (2-minute poses) for quick gestural studies and work up through increments to longer (15-20 minute) poses. No instruction is offered. Participants will have access to easels, donkeys, drawing boards and miscellaneous drawing materials and are encouraged to bring materials for the drawing medium of their choice. Classes are kept small to create a dynamic, engaging environment for creative and technical engagement. Course fee: $75.00Deadline: Tuesday, November, 10, 2026REGISTERThursdays Art Speak is an opportunity to meet other artists and discuss artworks created within a common theme. It is a weekly challenge to listen, think, observe, elaborate, and commit to the creative process. Whatever skill level or medium used, the group supports an intimate space where all feels included, connected, respected, and excited to share courageous exploration. Course fee: $75.00Deadline: Thursday, November 5, 2026REGISTERSaturday Join our beginner-friendly holiday workshop to design, carve, and print your own custom holiday cards using traditional linocut techniques. All materials supplied.Course fee: $50.00Deadline: Thursday, November 5, 2026REGISTERWednesdays  The scholarly poem marries reading and writing, research and invention. Your research can be the subject of the poem, used as a constraint, or a filter for its composition. The scholarly poem uses an archive whether it’s philosophy, literature, science, metaphysic, pancakes, or sciatica as its source. Formally, the scholarly poem can be lyric or experimental. This course is suitable for anyone interested in writing poetry, regardless of prior experience. Course fee: $90.00Deadline: Tuesday, November 10, 2026REGISTERFridays Looking for the dedicated time and space to create? Unfinished Business is a 4-week artist program designed to give your creative projects the momentum they need. Whether you’re starting a new project, pushing past a creative block, or finally putting the finishing touches on work in progress, you don’t have to do it alone. Set in a friendly, welcoming studio atmosphere, this program surrounds you with a supportive community of fellow artists. Share ideas, exchange constructive feedback, and find fresh motivation in a space built for growth and collaboration.Course fee: $90.00Deadline: Thursday, November 5, 2026REGISTERWeekend  A four-class course aimed to get people understanding their digital camera and how to harness light to make better images. The course will cover photography basics such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, metering and metering.Course fee: $180.00Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026REGISTERLEARN MORE JOIN  Support your artist-run centre by becoming an Oxygen Art Centre Member.Oxygen Memberships run from $5 (Senior/Student) to $10 (Single) to $15 (Families) and significantly help our organization. Able to support even more? Consider joining for $30 (Scaffold) or $50 (Friends) for added artist-run centre perks! Become a member today! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITSEvents, Tours and Artist TalksVolunteer, Networking and Mentorship ExperienceRegular mailings and newslettersVoting Privileges at Oxygen Art Centre’s AGMAccess to current Exhibition Publications and CataloguesAbility to rent Oxygen’s facility at a low-barrier rate (Scaffold & Friend tier)Limited edition Oxygen merch + printed matter (Friend tier)Register ONLINE or by MAIL Already a Member? Consider making a Donation.BECOME A MEMBER Images (top to bottom): (1-3) Oxygen Art Centre infographics for Susan Andrews Grace’s new poetry class featuring poet portraits and two examples of their work, 2026; (4) Oxygen Art Centre NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING graphic and information, 2026; (5-10) Oxygen Art Centre, Education program, 2026 Fall semester promotional infographics containing photographs from each instructor intended for promotional purposes, Courtesy the Artists, September 2026; (12) oil pastel drawing of two figures joined by a spiral with stars and sunshines and snails surrounding them, Become a Member @ Oxygen text, 2026; |
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 Oxygen Art Centreinfo@oxygenartcentre.org #3- 320 Vernon St. (alley entrance) Nelson, B.C. V1L 4E4 Canada Facility access information Office Hours: Tuesdays – Thursdays, 9:00am – 2:00pm (responses will be slow outside of this window) Hours of Operation: Wednesdays – Saturdays, 1:00 – 5:00pm (during exhibition run) Admission is free or by donation Oxygen Art Centre is is an artist-run centre located on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the Sn̓ʕaýckstx (Sinixt), Syilx and Ktunaxa Nations colonially known as the West Kootenay in the southeastern interior region of British Columbia, Canada. We strive to listen, learn and grow respectful relationships with all those who have deep connections with this land and its waterways, including Métis and many diverse Indigenous persons. We honour their ongoing presence as stewards and carriers of knowledge. We make this statement to recognize our privilege as uninvited guests and to reflect on our own connections to this place. Our responsibility as an artist-run centre is to uplift voices of justice, move at the speed of trust, and deepen understanding and relationships. We are grateful for the financial support we receive from the Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, BC Gaming, Province of BC, Government of Canada, Vancouver Foundation, Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Columbia Basin Trust, Regional District of Central Kootenay’s ReDi program, Osprey Community Foundation, Hamber Foundation, United Way, Nelson Lions Club, and Nelson and District Credit Union. We offer thanks to the Polka Dot Dragon Festival, the Elephant Mountain Literary Festival and other key partners including Hall Printing, Speedpro Signs, and Selkirk College for their support. We especially thank our collaborators, volunteers, donors, and members. Oxygen Art Centre is committed to ensuring all exhibitions, programs, and events are accessible to visitors. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible and equipped with an all-genders washroom. Please contact Oxygen if you have any questions or concerns about your visit. |