What does the nature, history and culture of Oliver look like in 2019? Local youth are here to answer that question with breathtaking photographs. On June 7th at 6:30 pm, “Oliver In Focus,” an exhibit featuring pictures taken by 25 students in South Okanagan Secondary School’s grade 11/12 Photography class, will open at the Oliver Museum. The exhibit will feature student photographers’ own perspectives on Oliver and area, with guidance and technical support from photography teacher Lindsey McVicar. Photographs will be displayed in the museum’s exhibit space as well as on the Heritage Society’s Facebook page. The images will highlight what’s unique about Oliver and the surrounding area and preserve it for the future.
There are five different themes for the photographs: People of Oliver, Flora and Fauna, Landscape, Heritage, and Oliver Colours. As part of their preparation, student photographers took field trips- to Vaseux Lake, to Spotted Lake and Sẁiẁs Provincial Park/Haynes Point with Indigenous Education Advocate Taylor Baptise, and to the Fairview area with local historian Larry Shannon. This helped them choose photographic subjects and enhanced their understanding of local heritage. The pictures were taken during several different seasons, and are both creative and visually striking.
The exhibit opening on June 7th runs from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the museum, and many of the student photographers will be present to answer questions and show off their work. Photographs will be on display for two weeks following the opening. The museum’s extended hours (10 am – 4 pm, Tuesday through Saturday) start in June giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the exhibit. So come on out, meet our talented local youth photographers, and enjoy some fresh perspectives on Oliver.