our vision

Oesa began in 2022 with a simple, urgent realization: Banff was full of hidden artists—dancers washing dishes, musicians tending bars, painters serving tables. Founder Amal Alhomsi saw firsthand that the kitchen he worked in was alive with untapped creativity. He set out to create a magazine to document and celebrate the voices of those often overlooked.

That same year, Amal met Nico Achondo in the kitchen of a Banff hotel. Bonding over their love for art and community, the two returned from a hike to Lake Oesa with a shared vision: to bring the magazine to life. Oesa Magazine launched in May 2022.

What started as a small creative project quickly grew into a grassroots movement. Throughout 2023, Oesa held concerts, jam nights, workshops, and clubs—often hosted in Amal’s kitchen or the Banff Canmore Foundation’s basement. The energy was electric, and the community kept expanding.

In 2024, with the support of the Town of Banff and Jessica Labonte, Oesa officially incorporated as a nonprofit. That same year, Oesa proposed opening a nonprofit café—an inclusive, sober gathering space—which was generously sponsored by the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation.

With support from

Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation ↗

Banff Canmore Foundation ↗

Town of Banff ↗

The café opened in 2025 and quickly became a vibrant hub for connection, creativity, and community care. Though it was forced to close due to structural issues in the building, it served as a powerful proof of concept.