HISTORY

We began as a small but determined group of women artists to build a supportive and dynamic collective which would create an art community all our own.  

As a means of getting exposure, we started with the publication and sales of the OKWA calendars which opened up a previously untapped market and as we grew, so did the scope of our works and the span of our audiences.

We have gradually expanded our public engagement initiatives to include at least two OKWA exhibitions a year, as well as holding artist's talks, critique nights and offering an annual student bursary to a young artist from our community. 

We celebrated 25 years of our visual art organization in 2014 by publishing an homage to our history. Our 'Then and Now' publication showcases works over 25 years, including paintings in encaustic, oil, acrylic, paper, and watercolour; printmaking, ceramics, mixed media, rug-hooking, artist's books, pencil crayon, collage, and photography. 

If you are interested in some of our older activities, check out our previous blog: