The next several weeks of the Voice of Business, produced by the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce, will feature articles by our summer student employees. This week Jolleen Dick writes about The MacMillan Art Centre.
It’s an overcast day at the McMillan Art Centre (The MAC) on the day I visit, but nothing is stopping the children from enjoying the summer camp. I had the pleasure to sit down with Dave Write (Office Administrator, Dave Klinger (Vice President), Valerie Dare (Director at Large,) and Hilary Bedigan (President,) in what used to be Valerie’s Grade 3 classroom! That’s right, the McMillan Art Centre used to be one of three buildings that housed Parksville Elementary. Coming up next year will be the building’s centennial. Did you attend the McMillan School or have any memories of the building? Send in your memories, pictures, or be a guest speaker for the MAC’s centennial celebrations in 2013. The MAC would love your help finding out what happened during the years between 1976 and 1990. )
The McMillan Arts Centre also houses the Oceanside Community Arts Council. The OCAC was founded in 1976 by a group of local individuals who got together and formed this council to promote and support local artisans. Then one day the council decided to invest in a building, the OCAC still manages the building with great care honoring the previous council’s legacy. With a fabulous display of exhibits in three different galleries, and a gift shop supporting the local artisans, the OCAC has quite a lot to offer. This month’s exhibits include: The Wednesday Group, It’s a Small World, and Close-ups Photography. Be sure to pop in and see our wonderful local Oceanside artists’ fine work.
Also, still happening is the kid’s summer art camp. I got to see their fabulous work and their happy faces. The arts camp is fortunate to have a summer art student to coordinate these activities. There is still time to sign up for some of the sessions. In the near future, David Klinger is planning to have a 12 hour piano marathon — “Pianorama.” Keep an eye out for that — it sounds like fun!
For in-depth article, please visit Parksville Visitor’s Centre.
— by Jolleen Dick
