Oceanside Community Arts Council

Oceanside Community Arts Council

Land Acknowledgement

The Oceanside Community Arts Council is located on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish Nations, home to the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation and the Qualicum First Nation.

Learn More About OCAC

Home

 

Oceanside Arts Magazine

A monthly online publication celebrating the arts, creativity, and culture of the Oceanside region and beyond.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Oceanside Arts Magazine

Welcome to the Oceanside Arts Magazine, published by the Oceanside Community Arts Council. With each issue, the magazine continues to take shape as a space for artists, writers, and arts organizations to share work, ideas, and perspectives that reflect the richness of creative life in our region and beyond.

 

 

MAC TO THE FUTURE

It is my pleasure to update OCAC members on our major fundraising campaign, MAC to the Future, and our feature event on June 20 – Rock Around the MAC – which is highlighted in the accompanying graphic. This is one of many community events and opportunities in 2026 for our supporters and Oceanside residents to become involved in our undertaking to maintain and upgrade our centre of operations, the venerable and beloved McMillan Arts Centre – the MAC.

Our fundraising campaign focuses on preserving the historic MAC building through a combination of individual donations, business sponsorships, community events, targeted outreach and government funding. The goal is to raise $250,000–$500,000 to replace the roof, repair windows and casings, address infrastructure needs, repaint and enhance programming needs. The City of Parksville has recently made a special grant of $10,000 to the OCAC to support our undertaking and also increased our annual operational funding.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind OCAC members and our supporters that we are a registered charity, which allows us to provide tax receipts for donations and monetary contributions, including ticket purchases for Rock Around the MAC. Please consider us and the MAC in your giving plans. A big thank you in advance!

Stay tuned for future events in coming newsletters and get ready to pitch in on our MAC to the Future fundraising campaign.

Stuart Clark
OCAC President

 

ROCK AROUND THE MAC

FUNDRAISER AUCTION & CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, JUNE 20TH, 7PM

MCMILLAN ARTS CENTRE, 133 MCMILLAN STREET, PARKSVILLE, BC

$100 / PERSON DONATION

(ARTISTS DONATED ALL ITEMS, AND ALL FUNDS GO TO THE FUNDRAISER)

Join in the fun as we celebrate our arts community and raise funds for MAC TO THE FUTURE capital fundraiser!

Featuring the cool grooves of THE APOLLOS, dance the night away, watch our LIVE ARTIST PROJECT as 4 abstract artists create works of art before your eyes!

Live streaming SILENT AUCTION: Cirque de Soleil tickets, GLASS ART by Robert Held, PASTEL Art by DAN GRAY, VIP BLUE RODEO CONCERT TICKETS @ PKS Outdoor Theatre,

Stunning artwork by KELLY CORBETT and so much more! PHOTO OP with our LIVING FRAME, featuring body-painted artists in our MAC Community Garden!

Tapas and BAR featuring the famous MAC MARTINI!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY GETTING A TICKET!

ONLY 100 TICKETS AVAILABLE.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS, BRING A GROUP AND HELP US RAISE SOME SERIOUS FUNDS TOWARDS THE MAC TO THE FUTURE FUNDRAISER!

CAN’T MAKE THAT DATE?
OUR ONLINE AUCTION IS OPEN NOW!!!!

YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE ONLINE AUCTION AND PLACE A BID ON ONE OF THE AMAZING ITEMS IN THE AUCTION.
VIEW THE ONLINE AUCTION

BE A PART OF THE BIGGEST FUNDRAISER FOR THE MAC THIS YEAR!

Our MAC To The Future Fundraiser is in full swing - help support our efforts to raise funds for a new ROOF, new WINDOWS and external repairs and painting on our beloved historic old school building located in Parksville, BC.

Built in 1913, the former Parksville School was purchased by the Oceanside Community Arts Council in 1976 and has operated as the McMillan Arts Centre ever since.

Featuring 3 galleries, working Studio, Artisan Gift Shop, Box Office and Community Garden, the MAC plays host to art classes, music concerts, community events, gallery exhibitions and more for our Oceanside Community.

This beloved heritage building needs some critical repairs and this AUCTION is the biggest fundraiser of the year.

The AUCTION will close at 7pm on June 20th, 2026.

Join us as we ROCK AROUND THE MAC, featuring popular local dance band The Apollos, tapas and martini bar, and live artists creating artwork.
MCMILLAN ARTS CENTRE • PARKSVILLE, BC

31169093898?profile=RESIZE_710x

 

  • Exhibitions
  • Classes
  • Story Time
  • Fun
  • Markets
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Community
  • Fund Raiser

 

Celebrate the Arts in Your Community

Become a member of the Oceanside Community Arts Council and help us support and promote art, music, and culture throughout the Oceanside region.

What Your Membership Does

  • Supports and promotes art, music, and culture in Oceanside.
  • Provides essential funding for the McMillan Arts Centre, Artfully Aging, and future arts programs.
  • Encourages artist interaction with the public through performances, classes, workshops, and exhibitions.

Membership Benefits

  • Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting.
  • Exclusive members-only eNewsletter with local arts, music, and cultural updates.
  • 10% discount at the MAC Gift Shop.
  • Eligibility to sell your work in the Members Gallery and “Members Only” exhibits.
  • Listing in the OCAC Online Art Directory — gain exposure for yourself or your group.
  • Access to the OCAC private Social Network: create blogs, join groups, and connect with fellow artists.
  • Discounts on OCAC and MAC event tickets and room rentals.
  • Advance ticket sales for select events.
  • Announce your events in the OCAC members eNewsletter and list them on this website.
  • Discounts at select local businesses (see participating businesses).
Join the OCAC

Give the Gift of Art

Give someone a Gift Membership to the Oceanside Community Arts Council and help support and celebrate art, music, and culture throughout the Oceanside region.

What This Gift Supports

  • Supports and promotes art, music, and culture in Oceanside.
  • Provides essential funding for the McMillan Arts Centre, Artfully Aging, and future arts programs.
  • Encourages artist interaction with the public through performances, classes, workshops, and exhibitions.

Gift Membership Benefits

  • Voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting.
  • Exclusive members-only eNewsletter with local arts, music, and cultural updates.
  • 10% discount at the MAC Gift Shop.
  • Eligibility to sell work in the Members Gallery and “Members Only” exhibits.
  • Listing in the OCAC Online Art Directory — gain exposure as an artist or group.
  • Access to the OCAC private Social Network: create blogs, join groups, and connect with fellow artists.
  • Discounts on OCAC and MAC event tickets and room rentals.
  • Advance ticket sales for select events.
  • Ability to announce events in the OCAC members eNewsletter and list them on the OCAC website.
  • Discounts at select local businesses ( see participating businesses).
Purchase a Gift Membership

Clickable Image with Overlay Button
MAC Box Office promotional image 🎟 Visit the Box Office