The Founders

Harry Kiyooka standing in his art studio surrounded by painting supplies and artworks on the wall behind him. He wears glasses, a beige apron, and a black vest over a pink shirt.

Harry Kiyooka

Co-Founder | B.Ed, BFA, MA, MFA, RCA

Katie Ohe wearing a white headscarf and apron standing in a welding shop with tools and metalwork on the wall.

Katie Ohe

Co-Founder | Dip. ACA, LLD, RCA

Their Story

The KOAC is not only their cultural legacy but a fulfillment for a lifetime as teachers and artists dedicated to the education, creation and the promotion of contemporary art.

The land was purchased by Harry and Katie in 1973 and they have been living there since 1978. Their vision for a Centre fostering contemplation and creativity, and for promoting and experiencing contemporary art through exhibitions, research, lectures, symposia, workshops, and residencies includes the donation of the property, residence, artist studios and facilities to the KOAC Society – of which they are lifetime Board members. In the near future, as the Centre becomes operational, they will complete transferring to the Society their personal works, their art collection and endowment funds for operational purposes.

Harry and Katie’s entire personal ‘oeuvre’ of paintings and sculptures and their extensive and valuable international and Canadian contemporary art collection will form the core of the artwork display at the Centre.

Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe’s belief in giving back to the community at large and the friends and family who supported their careers is what prompted them to establish the Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (KOAC)