FOLLOW PRIDE ARTS ON
FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM,
AND TIKTOK
+ JOIN THE SOS PRIDE MAILING LIST
click the icons
We acknowledge that the Pride Arts Festival takes place on the stolen, traditional ancestral territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation. Syilx Okanagan People have lived, gathered, occupied, traded, built sustainable economies and responsibly managed this territory since the beginning of people on this land. The Pride Arts Festival is hosted in what is now known as Osoyoos, derived from the word sw̓iw̓s (pronounced "soo-yoos") meaning "narrowing of the waters" in the local Okanagan/Nsyilxcən (n̓səl̓xcin̓, n̓syilxčn̓) language. sw̓iw̓s (Osoyoos) is within the Osoyoos Indian Band’s area of leadership and business responsibility that extends from the South Okanagan into the Boundary and Kootenay regions.
Land Acknowledgment
Our Vision & Mission
Vision:
Pride Arts Festival’s vision is that historically underrepresented communities can freely and equitably find representation in the festival sector.
Values
Artistic excellence
- Curating and presenting works that are not only of the highest quality but also reflective of the diverse experiences and identities within the LGBTQ+ community. - Celebrating a wide range of artistic disciplines: Dance, Music, Poetry, Fine Arts, Drag & more.
- Designing interactive and immersive experiences that invite audience participation and foster a sense of community.
Social Justice
- a commitment to fostering an environment where the arts serve as a meaningful platform for advocating for the rights and recognition of marginalized communities.
- Encouraging creative works that challenge systemic inequalities, raise awareness about social injustices, and inspire activism and change.
- Supporting projects and collaborations that aim to create tangible social impact and foster solidarity within and outside the 2SLGBTQ+ & BIPOC community.
Inclusion & Equity
- Actively seeking out and providing platforms for creatives from historically underrepresented groups within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including Black, Indigenous and people of color, and those with disabilities.
- Ensuring fair representation and participation in all aspects of the festival, from curation and programming to leadership and decision-making roles. - Ensuring paid opportunities for all contributing artists. Accessibility - Providing resources, guidance, and support to underrepresented creatives to help them develop and showcase their work.
- Ensuring the festival is accessible to all, with considerations for physical, financial, and cultural barriers. - Commitment to a 100% free-admission festival.
Community Engagement
- Involving the local community in the planning and execution of the festival to ensure it reflects and serves their needs and interests.
- Encouraging collaborations between established artists and emerging creatives to foster mentorship and growth.
Mission:
Through equitable, inclusive, and thoughtful practices, Pride Arts Festival provides a platform for culturally underrepresented creatives to showcase their work and fully participate in community.
Our Creative Committee.
Founded in 2022, Pride Arts Festival is a community initiative located in swiws (Osoyoos BC), presented by WANA & SOS Pride. Pride Arts is a celebration of love, community and culture highlighting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and BIPOC communities through our vendors alley, food and beverage garden, live performance artists and fine artists.
She/her | swiws | Volunteer Coordinator
Allison Baker
Allison joined the Pride Arts committee in 2023 as the festival's volunteer coordinator, driven by her experience volunteering at the 2022 event. Moved by the festival’s impact on the community, she was inspired to give back and contribute to such a meaningful cause.
A resident of the Okanagan since 2006, Allison lives in Osoyoos - sẃiẃs - with her wife, Tina. Their home is shared with a beloved array of rescue animals—a dog, a cat, and an African Gey parrot—who make up their cherished fur and feathered family.
Professionally, Allison manages a small family-owned winery, where her dedication and passion for her work shine through. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to help bring the Pride Arts festival to life, and she values the connections she has made with the kind, thoughtful, and passionate people involved. Allison is honoured to be part of this vibrant event that celebrates pride and diversity!
She/her | snpintktn | Finance Coordinator
Heather Adamson
Acting as SOSPRIDE liaison, Heather was a founding member of the Pride Arts Festival Committee. She is proud to be a part of such an important event that celebrates and honours BIPOC & 2SLGBTQIA+ artists in a celebration of diversity & love.
Heather sits as treasurer & communications director on the SOSPRIDE board and has been a pillar in the South Okanagan Pride community. She represents community oriented thinking through thoughtful practice. Heather has been passionate about community volunteerism since her youth. She has served on various boards and committees throughout her life to contribute to her community. Her professional career as an educator and community development advocate has taken her across the province working primarily in rural and Indigenous communities.
She/Her | snpintktn | Artist Coordinator
Keisha McLean
In 2022, Keisha joined the Pride Arts committee in the capacity of Artist Coordinator during the festival’s developmental stages. Pride Arts is a unique act of community building, activism and love that creates a wonderful festival experience.
Keisha is the founder of popular SWANA dance company, Boundless Belly Dance, and sits as the Vice President of the Penticton & District Arts Council. Her love for social justice brought her to her work with the Penticton & Area Access Centre, where she works as the Lead Community Advocate, supporting the vulnerable adult sector. Keisha believes in community building through love, intention, compassion, and above all, cultural & artistic expression.
Our Creative Committee
She/they | swiws | Vendor Coordinator
Shae Fischer
This is Shae’s second year on the Pride Arts planning committee, a role they find extremely fulfilling. Pride, self-expression, and joy in diversity have been driving forces in their life as long as she can remember.
Shae is a multidisciplinary digital media artist whose work is deeply inspired by the creative diversity of the natural and artificial worlds. Before launching Digital Maege Media in 2022, their artistic journey began with wildlife photography and photojournalism. Shae’s professional philosophy is to capture the fleeting moments, the usually overlooked, the grand and the bold, and the efforts needed to achieve them. Shae is passionate about photojournalism related to social justice and activism, aiming to further develop this interest in the future. They also currently serve as a new Board Director for WANA. She is determined to contribute as much as they have generously received from the community (and more), driven by a genuine desire to support and enhance the local arts scene.
They/them | swiws | Community
Engagement Coordinator
Jasper Johnson
Jasper Johnson joined the Pride Arts committee in 2023 as the new Community Engagement Coordinator. Pride Arts is a community oriented festival where people of all walks feel welcome and included, something Jasper values in an organization.
As a lifelong resident of the Okanogan, they’re passionate about volunteering and supporting their community. This is their first year on the committee, and they’re excited to bring their enthusiasm to this vibrant event.
She/her | swiws | Community
Engagement Coordinator
Wina Poliquin
Born on the Canadian East coast to a French Canadian family of artists, raconteurs, and musicians, Wina developed an early incline for all art forms .Trilingual by the age of 16 she explored 13 different countries in the Americas where she got connected to various cultural roots .
Osoyoos local for the last 20 years, she is the operator of Art Therapy Corp, where she practices the sacred art of body piercing and surrounds herself with various types of tattooers and body art practitioners. You can also find her supporting local /national artists next door at The Curator. Wina is the visionary creator,founder, and establisher of the Wide Arts National Association.
Pride Arts Festival in Osoyoos is a dream come true .She is so proud to be part of this community and create along side some of the most wonderful individuals.