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Some of the past Arts and Culture Week projects have evolved into
successful, ongoing programs that enrich the communities that
support them. Others are examples of excellent events that
brought schools, communities and the arts together, or showcased
unique facets of the arts. Here are a few examples:
Bamfield
In 2006 and 2007, Bamfield Arts Council partnered
with the Bamfield Community School and the Bamfield
Marine Science Centre on arts-based community projects
with the theme of ecological and environmental issues
awareness. |
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| What: Global Warming
Awareness Fish Project |
When: April 23-28, 2007 |
Where: Marine Sciences Centre, Community School |
| The project
included workshops on the effects of global warming on
fish, then students and volunteers worked together to
decorate 25 stamped aluminum fish at the school; more
fish were available for purchase by the public. In June,
a group of volunteers from the senior class at the
school set the fish up for permanent display. |
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Castlegar
| What: Water:
every which way |
When: April
26, 2006 |
Where: Kootenay Gallery |
| Brent
Kennedy & Kinnaird Elementary Schools: School field trip to the Kootenay Galley to
experience a contemporary exhibition of multimedia
fine crafts developed at the Kootenay School of the
Arts. The groups was toured by the Gallery director
and offered age-appropriate information. Following
this event, the children developed works on the
theme "Water" which were displayed May 15-30
Info: Castlegar Arts Council 250-365-8026. Photos
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Comox /
Courtenay
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The Comox Valley Community Arts Council started a
youth arts council in 2005, and their talents led to a
highly successful "fun in the park" event in 2006. |
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| What: Just for Fun: Spring into Art Outdoor Festival |
When: April
29, 2006 |
Where: Simms
Park |
| Hosted
in Simms Park, this first-ever event featured a
variety of local performers including songwriters,
storytellers, improv, theatre, circus arts,
clowning, dance, various musicians, and others. All
works presented were original. There was also
outdoor banner painting. Info: Comox Valley
Community Arts Council, (250) 334-4452 This
was such a success that the City of Courtenay asked
that the event be extended throughout the summer. |
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| What: Beginning
an active Youth Arts Council |
When: April,
2005 |
Where: Comox |
| In April
of 2005, in celebration of Arts and Culture week,
the Comox Valley Community Arts Council hosted a
Youth Forum. Fifteen youth between the ages of 13
and 21 assembled to workshop about what is important
to them about arts and culture, and to assess
whether or not the Comox Valley is a good place for
those things to happen. This forum was and exciting
two days, and the group emerged galvanized to
continue to meet, and to follow through with plans
for events that result of forum brainstorming
sessions. Out of this has come an active Youth
Arts Council. More. |
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Creston
| What: "Expressions
of Home" opening |
When: Apr.
23, 2006 |
Where: “Art
Garage”, Canyon and 14th St. |
In
2005, the Community of Creston Arts Council hosted
an art exhibition of Creston Valley artists -- the
first such in several years. Both youth in the
high school arts program and artists of all ages
contributed; as well, the local schools toured the
exhibition and partook of some of the artists demos
. It was deemed a great success all around. Photos and more
details.
2006 followed the
previous success with the ValleyView Art and
Photography Exhibit, including meet the artists,
music, refreshments.
Throughout the week
at the Art Garage: exhibit of art and photography,
scheduled demonstrations, artists at work, art and
culture information centre. Wood carving,
caricatures, pottery, and more. |
| What: Events
all Week |
When: Apr.
24-29, 2006 |
Where: Various venues, Creston |
| "Giant Puppets will surprise you . . . watch for
them in Creston". Grade 6 students worked with
artist Jen Hart to design, make and perform with
their giant puppets. Park Studio Gallery Canyon St , Purse Show: the unique stylings of
Giselle . . .no two purses alike. Black Bear Books, Canyon St., display of art and
culture books and local student art work. OtherSide Café, Canyon St., a new art show. |
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Fort St. John
| What:
Art that Moves You |
When: April 24 - Oct, 2006 |
Where: Fort St. John transit |
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Launch of a
visual arts initiative that saw painted panels of
artworks displayed on the exterior of transit buses
for the summer months. The theme "Here
comes the Sun" provided a burst of colour.
Info: Fort St. John Community Arts Council
250-787-2781 The Arts Council Newsletter has photos of a number
of these panels. This project is expected to be
repeated in 2007. |
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Hope
| What: Hope
& District Arts & Culture Week |
When: between April 23-29, 2006 |
Where: Hope & area |
| Back
Room Arts Show with the Hope Artists Guild; Lecture
at the Hope Museum; Blue Voodoo performance, Country
Music Jam, other events. A very successful
event involving a large portion of the community.
See Photos |
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Kamloops
| What: The
Body Beautiful |
When: 2006, 2007 |
Where: Extension Gallery, Instinct Adornment |
| A
unique exhibition showcasing tattoos and
body modifications on live models, along
with photos of tattoo art. Live
entertainment in the form of belly dancers
and musical performers was also provided,
and local tattoo artists exhibited their
portfolios. Hair sculpture and branding was
added in 2007. An example of an innovative
project bringing an art form which is often
marginalized and presenting it in a
mainstream setting. A project of the
Kamloops Arts Council. |
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Kaslo
| What: 45 Books in 45 Minutes |
When: Apr. 26, 2008 |
Where: Kaslo & District Public Library |
| An open
house at the public library to celebrate arts and
culture through book reviews. Nine voracious readers
will discuss five "must read" books in one minute per
book. This fast-paced event challenges the reviewers to
perform. The audience, equipped with a pencil and a list
of the 45 titles, will be entertained and enlightened by
the adults, teens and local writers on the review panel.
Refreshments will follow and the volunteer reviewers
will receive a gift certificate towards the purchase of
books. North Kootenay Lake Arts & Heritage Council,
250-366-4623 |
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Lasqueti Island
| What: First Annual Film Festival |
When: April 24-28, 2007 |
Where: Lasqueti Island Art Centre |
| Showing six
films per day in the categories of Documentaries,
Shorts, Climate Change, "Artsy" and a special category
for Island-made Short Films (anyone with a video camera
can enter). The Art Centre also showed an exhibit of
paintings entitled "Film and Movies". |
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New Westminster |
| What: Celebrating children's art and recognizing
volunteers |
When: April 2005 |
Where: Herbert
Spencer Elementary School |
| The Arts Council of New
Westminster worked with Herbert Spencer Elementary
School to produce a week-long series of events and
classes. An estimated 1,000 people enjoyed the
events, and families marvelled at the work of the
students. A luncheon was held to thank the
volunteers in the arts community. Photos . .
. |
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Parksville
| What: Vision Quest |
When: April 26, 2008 |
Where: Oceanside Middle School |
| Each year,
grades 7, 8 students (First Nations and non-First
Nations) perform a First Nations play for the grade 6s.
in 2008, student will performed a play written by Child
and Youth Care worker Thea Stavroff called Vision
Quest. Another group of students created the set
designs, props and costumes. |
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Prince Rupert
| What: At
the Metropolitan Museum of Art |
When: April 23-29, 2006 |
Where: Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre |
An exhibition of the works from
workshops exploring the techniques of famous
artists. Artists aged 5 years to adults.
Opening reception with many genres including
quilters, musicians and performing artists
Info: Prince Rupert Community Arts Council
250-624-4214 Photos |
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| What: Journey of a Salmon |
When: April
20-26, 2008 |
Where: Lester
Centre of the Arts and downtown Prince Rupert |
| The Arts
Council will mount a display of painted wooden
cut-out created for a public art project, Journey of
a Salmon. A local artist, Joan Mostad, together with
the local office of the World Wildlife Fund,
Ts-ymsen artist Russell Mather and district teachers
will design the pieces for children to paint. The
finished works will be mounted in nets at the Lester
Centre of the Arts, both on stage and in the lobby.
The on-stage fish will enhance two plays about the
environment being performed by high school students.
Other fish may be displayed in empty storefronts and
business windows in downtown Prince Rupert. Prince
Rupert Community Arts Council, (250)624-4214 |
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Princeton
| What: Riverside Rises |
When: April 23, 2006 |
Where: Riverside Community & Performing Arts
Centre |
| Opening
celebration of new arts centre in former Riverside
Elementary School with community band, drumming
workshop, Celtic music, the history of Princeton in
song, individual performances, historical and fossil
displays, Antique Roadshow, wildlife banners, arts
show, stained glass workshop, pottery demo, first
live shows of local performing artists, quilters and
gardeners demos and workshops. An example of an
innovative way to "recycle" a closed school.
The first project of its kind in BC. Info:
Princeton Community Arts Council |
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Queen Charlotte City
| What: Neighbours |
When: Apr. 25, 2008 |
Where: Queen Charlotte City |
| The event
calls on all digital camera owners to discover their
neighbours. The resulting images will be collected and
stored on a CD, and many printed as 8"x10" images to be
hung. On Apr. 25, there will be an Opening Party for
everyone to come and view their neighbours. Each
photographer will present each photo to their neighbour,
and the town library will be given the CD entitled "A
Snapshot of QCC 2008". Queen Charlotte Islands Arts
Council, 250-559-4691. Some of the pictures .
. . |
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Quesnel
| What: Celebrating the Arts |
When: April 28, 2007 |
Where: Arts & Recreation centre, 4 Corners Quesnel |
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Continuing the Arts
Council's tradition of an annual day of the arts, in
2007 there was a kaleidoscope of artistic
experiences. Artists and secondary school students
will provide hands-on activities including watercolours,
quilting, sculpting, card making, drawing and
cartooning, fly tying demonstrations, and spirit carving
by local non-traditional artists. Downtown businesses
will feature displays by arts council member groups, and
there will be music at Four Corners. |
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Sicamous
| What: Open House, Art Drive, Banners, Play |
When: April 24-30, 2006 |
Where: Sicamous |
Apr. 24 Open house for public and
VIPs; start of the Banner & Art Drive: Banner
painting project began Feb. 1st with community
members (all ages) invited to participate, with the
theme: “Communities in Bloom". Local artists
were matched with businesses who displayed
their work. Displays by Museum & Historical
Society. Banners and art displays numerous and spread
out, so it was an Art Drive rather than the
traditional Art Walk Sicamous Amateur Drama
Group presented a play Apr. 28-30. Info: Eagle
Valley Community Arts Council 250-836-4705
Lots of media coverage here, see: Sicamous Celebrates BC Arts and Culture Week,
and Activities fill Arts & Culture Week |
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West Vancouver
| What: The Four Seasons |
When: April 29, 2006 |
Where: Silk Purse |
A
children's puppet show about the wind, sun, rain and
snow set to the music of Vivaldi. This is a
tradition that began several years ago when
the West Vancouver Community Arts Council began a
series of monthly puppet, marionette and live
theatre shows for children aged 3 to 8 to let them
experience live entertainment in a non-threatening,
intimate space. With funding from various
organizations, including funds from BC Arts &
Culture Week, this series is now a thriving
success. Photos . . .
Info: West Vancouver
Community Arts Council 604-925-7292 |
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