It’s that time of year again. Time for Creative Chaos! And this year we will be celebrating our 40th year.
Creative Chaos is one of the largest arts and craft shows in Western Canada. And we have lots of celebrating to do, with amazing prizes to be won, anniversary cake to be eaten and Chaos Cash to be given out.
The Creative Chaos Society is a non-profit organization run by volunteers, who give many hours to put together an amazing event for the public to enjoy. Bob Coleman is one of the original volunteers and still sits on the board of directors. He has many great moments that he still shares with us new members.
Creative Chaos began in 1971 as a two-day art exhibition of porcelain and ceramics.
In January 1975, Jack Boutiller and Barbara York felt that merging the Annual Ceramics Show and the Vernon Art Council was a good idea, so Creative Chaos was born. Various crafts were now available for sale as well as on display, and performing arts and a food fair also became part of Creative Chaos.
Over the years, many performers have graced the stage with their talent. Belly dancer Ruth Hoyte was one of the first performers with Creative Chaos, and she and her dance group continue to entertain us, and we are happy to have her at our 40th anniversary celebrations.
The Creative Chaos logo was designed by the Vernon Senior Secondary art class in 1975, and this logo is still part of our society today. Creative Chaos also distributes scholarships to Vernon students pursuing their education in the arts.
There will be more than 200 crafters and artisans in three buildings, displaying their talent. Stu Taylor was one of the first vendors at Creative Chaos. His woodwork and carvings still grace many homes today.
You will also find doll clothes by Tiny Duds, soaps by Oyama Backporch, pottery by Laurel Fredin and others, jewellery, woodwork, specialty foods such as Simply Salsa and so much more.
You will find Sand Magic, Simply Bamboo and more in Creative Activities located in the Dogwood Gym. And more than 12 food vendors will be on site offering a variety of menus to suit everyone’s taste buds.
We’ll have three days of performing arts to entertain people of all ages. For a complete schedule check out creativechaoscrafts.com. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
We’ll also have prize draws for 40 great gifts for the public to win. So make sure while you are shopping to fill out your ballot. Our anniversary cake will be served between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Creative Chaos takes place at the Vernon Recreation Complex, 3310-37th Ave., Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but you are welcome to bring a non-perishable item for the food bank.
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This year, Creative Chaos and The Vernon Salvation Army Food Bank are inviting you to join together to make a difference in the community.
Creative Chaos is the food bank’s third largest annual food drive and the food bank needs your immediate help.
“The start of 2015 has been extremely challenging for many families. As a result, we are running short on a number of essential food items to build nutritious hampers,” said Capt. Jean-Curtis Plante.
Following an extremely high demand for the start of 2015, the food bank stock is now critically low and is in serious need of the following supplies: pasta, pasta sauce, rice, peanut butter, pork and beans, tuna, cereal, instant noodles, crackers, Jello, cake mix, coffee, sugar, size four and five diapers, and other nutritious food items for infants.
Come join in for the 40th year anniversary activities and make a positive change in Vernon. All donations are sincerely appreciated.
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Greater Vernon Recreation Services is working with Creative Chaos organizers and Maddocks Construction to ensure the main bridge and east entrance to the recreation centre will be in place and accessible for Creative Chaos.
Originally, the bridge and entrance were planned to be under construction. However, project delays will allow user groups to use the main bridge and east entrance during Creative Chaos.
“People will still be able to come and go across the bridge and through the lobby as in other years,” said Doug Ross, director of Recreation Services. “Some areas at the front of the building and in the main parking lot will be fenced off as part of the project construction site. The project will not affect any of the display areas.”
One change this year is that Halina and Priest Valley parking lots off of 35th Avenue will be open for public parking. Vendor parking will be moved to the parking lot south of the Boys & Girls Club gym and the vacant lots along 35th Avenue. This will make the event more accessible for the public and help to best utilize the vacant lots along 35th Avenue.
Frances Callaghan is on the board of directors for Creative Chaos.
