Columbia Basin Culture Tour - a free opportunity to see our area's spectacular cultural offerings
By Contributor
Taking place Aug. 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., the Columbia Basin Culture Tour allows you to explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites during this free, self-guided event. Travel to studios and archives that aren’t normally open, see demonstrations, new exhibitions and collections or meet people behind the scenes. To participate in the tour, simply grab a map, your Culture Tour Directory and go!
Visit Linda and Ted Crosfield who are located in Ootischenia (airport side of Castlegar) Linda Crosfield is a poet, editor, book artist, blogger and publisher who produces limited edition books. Copies of some of Linda’s poetry chapbooks will be available for purchase, as well as unlined journals and notebooks for your own words. Ted Crosfield’s love affair with wood turning began in 1982 when he saw an accomplished turner produce a bowl so thin it was translucent. His interest was piqued and three decades later he still finds the process of turning on a lathe captivating. Visit Ted’s studio and watch a simple demonstration of turning. There will be turning wood and blanks available for sale and there will be many and varied bowl forms to admire or purchase.
The Kootenay Gallery of Art, located overlooking the Columbia River, is a public art gallery featuring a diverse selection of exhibitions of work by regional and national artists. A series of workshops and community programs are offered throughout the year and the gift shop provides the opportunity to purchase unique handcrafted gifts. Right next door visit The Doukhobor Discovery Centre, a reconstruction of a typical Doukhobor Village, showing all the major buildings, tools, handicrafts and implements used in day to day life as it evolved in the Kootenay region of British Columbia as lived in 1908 – 1939. The Centre also houses the Selkirk Spinners and Weavers Guild, where you can view demonstrations in their lovely shop full of handcrafted textile work, located in a new, larger space. Visitors are sure to enjoy talking to the weavers as they demonstrate the traditional art of weaving and spinning during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour.
Castlegar Sculpturewalk is an outdoor sculpture exhibit located on a walking tour in downtown Castlegar. 2016’s event features over 30 sculptures from local and international artists. During The Culture Tour visitors can vote for their favourite piece via ballot – the winner of the People’s Choice Award is purchased by the City for its permanent collection. Catherine’s Glass Studio is a relaxed, working studio filled with colour and design. It is a place to pop in and stimulate your soul, delight your eyes and move your imagination. The studio has things from little fused lady bugs to large stained glass panels, from practical dishes to whimsical sun catchers all made out of beautiful glass. Drop by and meet the artist. Catherine looks forward to seeing you on the tour!
On to Robson to visit Sandra Donohue. Sandra has been weaving for 40 years, and painting for 19 years. She paints with watercolour, oil and acrylic in a representative style, focusing on light and colour to achieve atmosphere in her subjects: still life, flowers and landscapes. Also in Robson visit painter Mirja Vahala and artists who participate at the Mirja Vahala Art Studio who will be painting and showing their work. Visit the artists while they paint both outside in the gardens of Windborne B&B and inside the studio. Artwork will be available for purchase as well. Slip Bucket Designs is located in Beasley and is the home studio of Lisa Christie where you can experience Lisa’s “hand- and heart-inspired rustic, contemporary functional pottery” and learn about the art of making pottery and screen printing and its application in ceramics.
Tour brochures are available at tourist information centres and participating venues. Visit the website at www.cbculturetour.com to view full artist/venue profiles for further details on each location’s activities or register to receive a tour brochure in the mail. For further information, call the CKCA at 1-250-505-5505 or toll free at 1-877-505-7355. The Columbia Basin Culture Tour is generously supported by Columbia Basin Trust funding.
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