Operating since 2006, Joining Hands supports adults with diverse abilities by providing an encouraging environment to explore their artistic skills. The program accommodates beginner, emerging and established artists, giving them the opportunity to be a part of something tangible in their community through artistic and creative expression.

The program runs every Wednesday and Friday at the Vernon Community Arts Centre. There are currently over 50 participants and 20 support workers in the program.

Those wishing to participate are asked to complete the Joining Hands Participant Form and email it to [email protected].

Joining Hands is partly funded by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan and the BC Gaming Grant, with additional support from community donations.

Shop at Co-op Gasbars or ARC Liquor Stores in Vernon, Armstrong or Salmon Arm, and use #89197. The full dividend received will go towards this valuable community-focused arts program. It’s giving made easy.

Unveiling the Joining Hands Mural: A Tribute to Vernon’s Landscape

We are excited to present the Joining Hands Mural, a 200-tile masterpiece that celebrates Vernon’s stunning landscapes, and how we see ourselves within it.

This mural is the result of collaboration between over 50 diversely abled artists, 30+ support workers, and 20+ established artists, instructors, staff, and volunteers from the Vernon Community Arts Centre (VCAC). Special guests OKIB VP Tanya Saddleman-Joe, MP Mel Arnold, and MLA Harwinder Sandhu each contributed a tile to this project.

The mural captures the Okanagan through the seasons:

• SilverStar Mountain
• Kalamalka Lake
• Okanagan Lake
• Swan Lake & St. Anne’s Pumpkin Patch

Visit the Parkview Studio to see this mural in person. Special thanks to Quinn, our JH Programs Coordinator, for bringing this vision to life and fostering community creativity.