Frequently Asked Questions

We offer classes for youth (ages 5 and up), adults, and cater to all abilities. Our offerings include family-friendly classes tailored to multiple age groups, adult only classes, as well as classes designed specifically for certain youth age groups. Visit our "Classes" section to explore our current offerings.

Yes, the Arts Centre is wheelchair accessible. We have ensured that our facilities are designed to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges, providing wide doorways, button/ power operated front doors, and accessible restroom facilities for the convenience and comfort of all visitors. Please feel free to contact us if you have any specific accessibility questions or requirements.

We strive to offer free events and activities as often as possible. We recommend visiting our "Events" section on the website to explore our current free offerings, which are designed to foster creativity and build a sense of community.

There is free parking available in front of the Arts Centre, as well as in Polson Park.

Unfortunately, you cannot bring your child with you to the pottery drop-in at the VCAC ceramic studio. The studio is designated as an adult-only environment, accommodating individuals aged 17 and older. This policy ensures a focused and safe atmosphere for all participants.

The VCAC clay studio is an adult-only environment for ages 17+ primarily to ensure a safe and mature atmosphere conducive to focused and responsible art-making. Working with clay involves using potentially hazardous tools and materials that require a certain level of maturity and understanding to handle safely. Additionally, the studio environment is designed to foster an adult learning experience, which includes the freedom to explore creative expression without the need for constant supervision or restriction that younger participants might require. This policy helps maintain a professional and secure space where adults can engage deeply with their artistic practice.

To view your membership details, please follow these steps:

Ensure you are logged into your vernonarts.ca account.

Navigate to your Membership Dashboard:

- Click on the "Membership" tab located at the top of the page.
- On the left-hand side, select "My Membership."

This section will display all your membership information, including the start date, expiration date, and current status.

Our lockers are available based on availability - please call the front desk to enquire about availability, or join the wait list

Membership Benefits

- Annual Membership - $35.00 + GST
- 10% discount on most adult classes & workshops at the Arts Centre
- 10% discount on all art supplies at the Arts Centre
- Drop-in studio access at the Arts Centre
- Early bird notifications for classes and special events
- Monthly e-brochure from the Arts Centre, with upcoming classes, artist calls, gallery shows and more
- Special invitations to attend or participate in events and activities put on by the Vernon Community Arts Centre and the Arts Council of the North Okanagan
- Opportunities to sell your artwork in the VCAC Art Shop, Artsolutely, and other Arts Centre and Arts Council events
- Opportunities to show or sell your artwork in the VCAC Centre Gallery (all ages and abilities welcome)
- Free promotional opportunities from the Arts Council for local artists, musicians, writers, performers, and other creatives
- Artscene - a monthly e-newsletter from the Arts Council, filled with local arts and culture events and activities
- Locker rentals at the Arts Centre when available
- Voting rights at the ACNO Annual General Meeting

Yes, if you have a membership and have taken a qualifying class, you may use the studios for drop-in. Below are the specific details for each studio:

Clay Studio- If you have completed a qualifying clay class, you are welcome to use the Clay Studio for drop-in sessions. Please ensure you follow all studio guidelines and clean up after your work.

Glaze Studio - Membership holders who have taken a glazing class are eligible for drop-in use of the Glaze Studio. This allows you to finish your ceramic pieces with the perfect glaze under the same safety and procedural standards you learned in class.

Glass Studio - The Glass Studio is available for drop-in use if you’ve completed an appropriate glass working class. This ensures you have the necessary skills to work safely and effectively with glass materials.

Print Studio - If you have taken a qualifying printmaking class, the Print Studio is open for drop-in sessions. This gives you access to the equipment and space needed to continue your printmaking projects independently.

Please note that all drop-in sessions are subject to studio availability, and to please book your studio time online. Always adhere to studio protocols and safety measures to ensure a productive and safe environment for all members.

If you have any further questions or need assistance with specific studio details, feel free to contact our front desk team. [email protected], 250-542-6243

To ensure the best results and maintain the quality of our firings, only clay purchased from the VCAC is allowed to be fired in our kilns. Additionally, we do not permit the use of outside glazes. This policy helps us maintain a consistent and safe environment for all our pottery projects, and studio users.

To show your art in our exhibits, you’ll need to have an active VCAC/ACNO membership and ensure that your artwork adheres to the exhibit guidelines. This includes having a piece that fits the exhibit theme and is ready to hang, meaning it should be properly wired or prepared for display. Our exhibits are welcoming to all artists, from beginners to emerging and established professionals, as long as their work aligns with the specified theme. We encourage anyone interested to submit their pieces and join our creative community.

The Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) is a registered charitable non-profit organization dedicated to enriching arts and culture in Greater Vernon and surrounding areas. As an umbrella organization, we serve more than 30 diverse member groups and over 3000 individual and family members.

The Vernon Community Arts Centre is operated by ACNO as one of its many community functions.

The Vernon Community Arts Centre has delivered art education programs to all ages and abilities for over 20 years. The Centre offers the community comprehensive clay, glass and print-making studios accompanied by two open-plan studios. The Centre welcomes over 30,000 members, users, visitors, and shoppers annually to take advantage of over 350+ classes/workshops, 1500+ member drop-in sessions, 12 exhibits, and five annual events.

Our winter artisan sale and fundraiser, Artsolutely is open daily every December. This year, you can visit us November 30 to December 24.

Hours: Monday to Friday 9-7, Saturdays 9-5, Sundays 11-4. December 24 (Christmas Eve): 9-1.

For more information visit "Artsolutely - Annual Sale & Fundraiser" under our "About" section.

Our art classes are tailored for kids aged 5 and up because we find that at this age, they are generally more comfortable in a classroom setting, able to concentrate, and eager to learn from a teacher. This foundation helps them get the most out of our creative programs.

For our littlest artists under 5, we offer family-friendly events designed for parents and little ones to enjoy together. These activities provide a wonderful opportunity for early creative exploration and bonding.

Check out our Events page for current offerings and discover how we can spark creativity in every age group!

There are two ways to sell your art at VCAC:

1. Art Shop: Local artists have the opportunity to sell their work in our Art Shop. We accept applications for smaller artworks and artisan goods three times a year. Keep an eye out for the 2025 submission dates! To maintain quality, all vendors must be approved by VCAC Management and a jury.

2. Centre Gallery: For current artist opportunities, please visit our "Artist Opportunities" page. Our Art Exhibits are non-juried, and artists are responsible for pricing their own works if they wish to sell them.

We look forward to showcasing your talent!