Member of the Month – Sylvia Olson

Each month the Kamloops Arts Council now profiles a different member or donor, so that you can get to know the diverse and talented community that makes up the KAC. For the month of April we profile Sylvia Olson.

Sylvia Olson PhotoHow long have you been a member?

I’ve been involved with the Kamloops Arts Council since 2010, when I went to them with the idea to start the Kamloops Writers Festival. I continue to coordinate the Festival, working with the Committee and KAC staff.

Why did you get involved?

I got involved because I saw an opportunity to create a writers festival for Kamloops. The city has a vibrant arts community but there was no event for the written arts at the time.

Tell us about your art:

The written arts, or creative writing, has many genres from novels, poetry, short story, memoir, graphic novels, science fiction and the list goes on. I have written articles for magazines and journals and am currently working on a children’s book.

What are you looking forward to this upcoming year?

This year the Kamloops Writers Festival is doing something different. We will be hosting a fundraising event featuring a surprise guest author. [Ed. note: Stay tuned!]

Why is it important to support the arts?

The written arts are important because they tell the story of our diverse nation. Without our writers we would not be able to record our history nor leave a legacy for the next generation. Support for the written arts is support for literacy which leads to a better quality of life.

What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a member of the KAC?

The KAC offers many artistic opportunities to help further your craft. There are also opportunities for those who do not see themselves as creative. If you are looking for a vibrant community which offers fun activities then the KAC is the place for you.