~ Rooted In Community, Growing Through Art ~
Our Mission
The Peachland Community Arts Council aims to foster and support artists and artisans of all skill levels throughout the Okanagan Valley.
Through the dedication of our volunteers, we work year-round to make arts and culture accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for our community. Peachland Art Gallery has grown into a vibrant cultural hub, championing diversity and creativity while working in partnership with Our SPACE and other community organizations to strengthen and enrich the local arts landscape.
Together, we strive to inspire participation, encourage creative expression, and ensure the arts remain an essential and valued part of life in Peachland.
Get Your Copy of the 2025 Annual Report at Peachland Art Gallery!
Become a Member!
Thank you for Your support!
Membership has Benefits:
Discounts on Event Admission
Discounts on Workshops
Participate in Open Call Shows and "Artist in studio"**
Biweekly Newsletter Featuring Arts News in the Okanagan
MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH YOUR MEMBERSHIP FEES!
note: All memberships are for a calendar year. **Each presenting artist requires an individual membership
President’s Message
The Peachland Community Arts Council has experienced a period of remarkable growth—not only in our membership and board but also in our deepening relationship with the town’s leadership and the wider community. We take great pride in our reputation as a premier cultural destination, housed within the historic walls of Our SPACE (School for Peachland Arts, Culture and Ecology).
As President, my responsibility is to ensure the council remains on the path toward our shared vision. I have immense confidence in our 2026 board; each member brings unique strengths that, combined, provide us with a solid foundation for the future. Our meetings are characterized by lively discussions and creative input, yet we consistently find common ground and resolve matters efficiently.
I am a firm believer in the power of the team. While I am fully committed to my duties as President, I believe our collective work is most effective—and the burden lightest—when responsibilities are shared across the board. Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach for whom the Super Bowl trophy is named, captured this sentiment perfectly:
"Individual commitment to a group effort—that’s what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
I invite all like-minded citizens from Peachland and beyond to visit us at Our SPACE. Come enjoy the Art Gallery, meet our dedicated volunteers and board members, and explore ways to get involved. We are thrilled to share our programming and talents with you, and we look forward to everything you will discover here at the Peachland Community Arts Council."
Meet the Board of Directors
Why do you volunteer for PCAC?
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Paula
President, Events Committee Chair
I have always believed in active contribution, but the PCAC is more than an organization; it is a collective of creative thinkers and doers. Their experience inspires me to share my own talents. I value making a difference alongside others dedicated to community culture. My journey mirrors the PCAC mission: social engagement through creativity from the heart and mind.
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Arlene
Vice President, Member Group Coordinator
I have a passion for art and it’s been a huge part of my life as a photographer. The volunteer time at the Peachland Art Gallery has allowed me to delve into and appreciate all forms of art. The opportunity to be a board member of PCAC was just the next step.
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Karyn
Secretary, Gallery Exhibition Coordinator
I volunteer for the Peachland Community Arts Council because art has always been an important part of my life, and I value the way it brings people together. Being involved with PCAC allows me to stay connected to a vibrant, creative community while supporting local artists and cultural initiatives.
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Dustin
Treasurer
I volunteer with PCAC to help bring culture, creativity, and belonging to both myself and to the rest of the Peachland community. I love that this position allows me to meet inspiring people, and work behind the scenes to support the Okanagan’s amazing artists and our Gallery’s gracious volunteers.
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Deb
Past President, Gallery Committee Chair
I’m honoured to have served on the PCAC board for the past 15 years, surrounded by so many talented and inspirational artists, who are dedicated to offering arts programming in our community. Our amazing team has created a vibrant cultural hub for Peachland, featuring a professional art gallery, musical events & art classes for all ages. This is quite an accomplishment and I’m very proud to have had a part in it.
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Vicki M
Director, Exhibition Crew Lead
Serving my community and contributing to something that brings people together through a shared love of art gives me a meaningful way to engage socially, grow personally, and further develop new skills. I experience deep satisfaction in being part of something larger than myself that enriches life in the town I love.
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Mariuccia
Director, Workshop Coordinator
Volunteering with the Peachland Art Council is incredibly meaningful to me, both as a council member and as an artist. I love organizing workshops and working with artists and students, helping them grow in confidence and creativity. I’m passionate about keeping our gallery active, vibrant, and inspiring—a place where art thrives and brings our community together.
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Andrea
Director, Volunteer Scheduler
I am honored to serve as a PCAC Director and Coordinator of its Art Gallery Volunteer Program. I’m committed to making a meaningful community impact. My passion for the arts, people, and decades of public-sector leadership help me contribute skills, build relationships, and support the board’s strategic direction and long-term vision.
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Chris
Director, Newsletter
Arriving from Montreal in 2000, I committed my skills as a retired English teacher, former actor, photographer/filmmaker, and PCAC board member to Peachland’s arts community. I’m glad I did and hope it’s been mutually valued.
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Dian
Director, Marketing Coordinator
I became a board member on the PCAC because I wanted to become involved in fundraising while having fun with a great group of volunteers.
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Susi
Director
Seven years after moving to Peachland, I visited the gallery out of curiosity and love of art. I loved the shows, volunteered to meet people and enjoy the works during shifts, and found it rewarding to give back. I later joined the Board and met many generous creatives. The arts enrich our lives.
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Vicki D
Director
When I moved to Peachland in the fall of 2024, I was delighted to find a thriving arts organization. When someone asked me what I was bringing to the town, I knew I’d be volunteering with the Peachland Community Arts Council and offering what skills I have to help where I can.
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Jamie
Director
To me, Art, regardless of form, has a huge role to play in any society. It is essential that it should be preserved and promoted to all, whether you are an artist or of an audience.
Therefore, I am proud to be a part of a group within our community that safeguards and showcases local artists of many genres.
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Terry
Director
The Arts are a necessary and important aspect of a healthy community.
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Peter
Honorary Director
I enjoy participating in community events and organizations. It gives me a sense of purpose and belonging, in the company of like-minded people.
History of the PCAC
"Formed in 1997 through the Peachland Economic Development Committee, the Peachland Community Arts Council (PCAC) was spearheaded by realtor Maggie Legg and officially became a Society in 1998.
Over the decades, the PCAC has enriched the community with a diverse range of events, including the Medieval and Ogopogo Art Festivals, Children’s Art Festivals, and the ongoing annual HeARTS Festival.
The Council has also shaped Peachland’s visual landscape through significant public art projects, such as:
The Rotary Club’s historic wall and the Children’s Millennium Tile Wall, both led by artist Robyn Lake.
Annual summer street banners painted by local artists.
Today, the PCAC continues to serve as a vital creative engine for the community."
The Tale of The Historic Peachland Schoolhouse
Built in 1908, the Peachland Historic School closed in 2003 and sat vacant for nine years until local "old-timers" persuaded the Town Council to restore it.
A major turning point in its preservation was the discovery of over 2,000 endangered bats in the attic. Because they could not be displaced by law, they were integrated into the building's identity; today, they are a popular educational display and closely monitored by the Bat Education & Ecological Protection Society (BEEPS) who closely monitor the health and well-being of the maternal bay colony.
The restoration, funded by government and community grants, took 18 months. The project revealed long-hidden architectural arches and upgraded the building with eco-friendly systems. Today, the schoolhouse has Four main residents:
The Boys and Girls Club
The Peachland Art Gallery
BEEPS
Okanagan Folk School
The gallery is located in Mary Smith Hall, a magnificent central space named for a dedicated local arts advocate. Its launch was made possible by grants from the Peachland Council and Telus, allowing for professional track lighting and furnishings.
Before its official 2014 opening, the gallery hosted the Yellow Schoolhouse Project in partnership with UBCO. This "Eco-Art Incubator" blended local history with workshops in poetry and sound, cementing the gallery's role as a vibrant waterfront hub for culture and community in downtown Peachland.