Art Rave 2012 has been postponed until 2013 to allow organizers more time to, well, get organized.
Committee member Mike Mallon made the announcement at the Port Alberni city council meeting on Tuesday.
“This year the wise thing to do was defer,” Mallon said. “And to defer is not to abandon.”
Organizers had hoped to put on Art Rave, an inaugural arts festival, during Port Alberni’s centennial year in 2012.
The idea was to close off part of the Rotary Arts District from Argyle Street from Third Avenue down to Harbour Quay for the August long weekend and erect tents for artisans and public entertainment venues.
“There are so many things to organize and get things in order,” spokesperson Gittan Klemetsrud said.
“To have a successful event we want to make sure we get it right.
“We remain enthusiastic and committed to making this event happen.”
She said the fact that the biennial Days with the Arts studio tour is slated for next year will not affect Art Rave—in fact, will only further promote arts in the Alberni Valley.
“It will be a good thing,” she said. “It will complement the fact we have more artists in this town.”
Art Rave society members will be raising funds throughout the summer and into the fall. In January representatives told city councillors their projected budget was $57,000, with expenditures estimated at $53,000.
Klemetsrud said the budget will be revised as the society goes forward.
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