Mission Statement
The Olive Arts Collective is a grass roots initiative and a collaborative group comprised of people who love to create visual art in all its forms. Our key objectives are to provide a place of safety, acceptance and hospitality and we believe that this creates an environment for creativity to be nurtured and developed. Participation, creative exploration, empowerment, compassion, diversity and respect for each other underpins this space and the artworks are the creative expressions of these key values. Our aim is to encourage the emergence of this creativity.
Who participates?
All are welcome in this creative space. Many of our artists are regular visitors to our Olive Way drop in centre and some reside in supported residential services. Phil Kreveld, our lead artist supports us by making art and facilitating our individual and collective artistic journeys. Alongside is Olive Arts Co-ordinator Bev Evans and Leanne Salau, two dedicated volunteers from the BUCARTS Committee who guide the space so that creativity and originality can flourish.
When do we meet?
We meet on Wednesdays from 10am to noon during the Olive Way Program. The Olive Way is a place of welcome for all who want to use it. While the program is open to anyone who wants a place to rest, chat, read the paper or just sit with a cup of tea, the particular focus is those people who are on the edge of their communities and may not have a place to feel comfortable or welcomed anywhere else. We value our relationship with the Olive Way program, the hospitality provided there and especially the offer of a cuppa and a bite to eat.
What do we offer?
Materials are supplied. Participants are also welcome to bring their own current art project and materials. We offer guidance, new ideas, support and encouragement. We also offer the opportunity to exhibit art works in local exhibitions.
Our artists have contributed to three BUC Exhibitions: 2021-Emergence, 2019-Let the earth speak, 2017-What is Creativity. In 2018 we participated in the Brunswick Studio Walk. Many people have come through our doors for these events. We have been delighted when artists’ work has been sold.
Where do we meet?
We meet in the Youth Hall on Wednesdays between 10am and 12noon. We work in a wonderful light filled space with an adjoining kitchenette, amenities and access to water for clean up.
The Olive Arts Collective threw open its doors and invited the public into its place of creativity on Saturday 24th of February as part of the 2018 Brunswick Studio Walk. Nothing could have prepared us for the number of people who visited (five hundred!) and for their responses. Some were simply amazed while others sought good conversation and a point of connection. Read more (a page from our March Olive Branch newsletter).
Living Colour (2023)
An exploration of how our lives are steeped in, [...]
Emergence (2021)
The Emergence exhibition offered an invitation to artists to [...]
Join us at Olive Arts
Come along to the Olive Arts Collective at Brunswick [...]
Living Colour (2023)
An exploration of how our lives are steeped in, [...]