More than 40 activities and events are planned for this weekend to inspire residents to create, participate and share in celebration Culture Days in Kelowna
“Culture Days is a chance to get out there and explore,” said Sandra Kochan, City of Kelowna cultural services manager.
“Doors are open, it’s free to attend and there are always surprises.
“Artists and cultural groups are inviting you into their world to have some fun, try something new, and maybe learn a bit more about all of the great art and culture that is happening in Kelowna.
“How often do you get a chance to help someone paint their vintage VW van, eat an authentic Chinese mooncake, or join a late-night gathering around an art projection on a major public building?”
The festivities will kick off with a launch at the Rotary Centre for the Arts atrium on Friday.
There will be a showcase of live music and poetry as well as refreshments.
After the launch, join the Culture Crawl through the Cultural District and Downtown, stopping to explore businesses and galleries showcasing local arts and culture along the way.
Other events planned include:
• Draw by Night meets Artist Trading Cards, Friday, Sept. 25, 7-9 p.m. Celebrate your inner warrior and create character Artist Trading Cards to share and trade.
• Art Party, Saturday, Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paint the windows, sidewalks, mural or your face—it’s an art pandemonium.
• “Hippie” Up the Van, Saturday, Sept. 26, noon to 4 p.m. Grab a paint brush and your creative flair to paint local artist Shannon Breadner’s van.
• heART School-Village Mural, Saturday, Sept. 26, noon to 4 p.m. Lead by local artist Shannon Breadner, this is an opportunity to see and be part of modern creativity art work.
• Cultural Film Festival, Saturday Sept. 26, noon to 1:30 p.m. A celebration of the aboriginal filmmakers who use film to tell their own stories in their own words.
The Kelowna Art Gallery Art party will consist of a full free day of indoor and outdoor art activities, behind-the-scenes tours, guided exhibition tours, and more.
Creative juices will be flowing (literally) with arty drinks and treats available. Come paint on our sidewalks, our windows, our mural, or even on your face. Instructors will be on hand to help guide participants through the activities.
In addition, artist Elizabeth D’Agostino, a printmaker from Toronto, will facilitate printmaking activities in the art gallery’s Art Lab, and will offer guided tours of her newly opening art exhibit, called Makeshift.
Guided behind-the-scene tours of the Kelowna Art Gallery will be begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue once an hour on the half-hour until 2:30 p.m.
Guided exhibition tours of two of the four current exhibits on view will be offered starting at 11 a.m., continuing on the hour until 3 p.m.
Visitors will join a knowledgeable guide to explore the fascinating works in Jeroen Witvliet: Wayfarer and Elizabeth D’Agostino: Makeshift.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the KAG, children and families will celebrate culture in the Okanagan by selecting their favourite Canadian animals and, using acrylic paint, create their own unique paintings.
This special Family Sundays activity will be free for all participants. It will be led by the KAG’s helpful instructors, who will also provide age-appropriate information about the current exhibitions on view.
The downtown Kelowna branch of the Okanagan Regional Library will be a noisy place this weekend as it kicks off a four-week partnership with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) as part of national Culture Days celebrations.
This free community event involves interactive performances featuring each of the four families of OSO instruments—brass, winds, strings and percussion. The first of the series will be held on Saturday beginning at 11:45 a.m.
Culture Days at the Kelowna Library will also include a special music-themed family storytime at 11 a.m. on Saturday, just before the OSO performance.
There will be a PhotoVoice exhibit in the library’s upstairs Great Room resulting from a UBC Okanagan research project on the health of immigrants in Kelowna.
To see about other activities this weekend, see culturedays.ca, click on Activities on the homepage and enter Kelowna.
