Whether it’s visual arts, music, dance, theatre, heritage, film and video, literature, culinary arts or new media, Canada is not short on arts and culture.
The fourth annual Culture Days will be celebrated in hundreds of Canadian cities and towns from Sept. 27 to 29. And this province is not exempt from all the goings-on.
Events during Culture Days are taking place in 46 communities in B.C., including in the North Okanagan. Hundreds of free, interactive activities are planned across the province, inviting people to get involved with the arts and artists in their communities to share their love of culture.
“Culture Days is an opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity that exists across our province,” said Lucille Pacey, president and CEO of Arts Umbrella, and chair of the B.C. Culture Days task force. “From street art to high art, pop culture to traditional culture, Culture Days is an opportunity to engage with art and artists in a different way.”
Vernon is celebrating Culture Days with three free registered events.
On Sept. 27 at 11 a.m., a model drawing session will take place at the Vernon Public Art Gallery.
Set to music in one of the VPAG’s exhibition spaces, artists will be encouraged to draw without inhibition while dancer Lorna Robb and guests of her Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio perform a variety of dance moves with energy and enthusiasm, as well as hold short dynamic poses.
Visitors can enjoy the atmosphere, the company of fellow artists, snacks and refreshments. Artists are asked to bring their own drawing materials of choice. Pre-registration is required by contacting the VPAG at 250-545-3173.
The VPAG is also holding a workshop on charcoal and conte drawing for its Family Saturdays event, Sept. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Family Saturdays take place on the last Saturday of each month with an art project suitable for young children and big kids alike.
For Culture Days, the VPAG encourages younger guests to participate in drawing exercises with this easy, expressive medium that requires no experience. Those participating should wear an art smock or old T-shirt. Materials will be supplied.
Also Sept. 28 at 1 p.m., visitors to the VPAG can take in an artist talk with Vernon-based artist and gallery staff member Joanne Salé.
Salé will discuss her works in her current exhibition titled Connections, which include a series of abstract drawings and site-specific sculptural installations inspired by images of various interconnected systems and networks in nature.
Those who attend will learn about her current artistic practice and view a presentation of images of recent works.
In Coldstream, the Mackie Lake House is holding a reception for its fall writer-in-residence Leona Theis, who will read from some of her selected works.
The reading takes place Sept. 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more events during Culture Days, visit www.culturedays.ca. On the website is the Bright Spots schedule, an online tool that allows people to create a personalized schedule of activities taking place in their community.
