Early summer-like weather is upon us and the Creston Valley is looking particularly beautiful these days. Blossoming trees, spring flowers and the drone of lawnmowers make it seem more like late Mays in years past, and even the traditional spring bloom of for sale signs on what seems like half of the homes in Creston doesn’t seem as depressing as it often does.
With businesses under renovation on Canyon Street and the sale of an unoccupied building across the street from the Advance office (anticipate a “food-related business,” says the new owner) the optimism in the downtown core continues. And doesn’t the image of Stewart Steinhauer’s Spirit Bear amidst the commemorative planting of tulips at the Pine Street intersection make one feel like all is right with the world?
I am especially pleased to see the introduction of sculptures at Creston Valley Bakery and Creston Valley Realty and look forward to seeing the Thirty Birds aluminum sculpture’s installation in the coming days. Like many I have spoken with, I was disappointed by the recent letter to the editor declaring the project an insult to local artists and an offense to local cultural sensibilities. To set the record straight, before the Pine Street location was considered for Thirty Birds, Steinhauer was consulted about the possible moving of the Spirit Bear to another corner of the intersection and he had no objections. In the end, though, a different spot was chosen for Thirty Birds and the bear remains in situ.
Art, for me at least, is a way to break down barriers and borders, not to build them up, and SculptureWalk is a wonderful way to do just that. While the letter writer takes offense at non-local sculptures, I haven’t heard a word of objection from local artists, some of whom are on the committee that selected the pieces and their locations. Others have expressed interest in creating larger pieces that could become part of future SculptureWalk displays.
This week I attended the opening night of Focus on Youth art displays in the community complex’s Creston Room and couldn’t help but think back over the 30 years that this remarkable week of arts and culture has been brightening our community. I loved the idea of showing works by former students and teachers who have inspired with their own creative spirit. So much work has gone into this annual event, and it is provides a marvelous showcase for students. I look forward to taking in some performances at the Prince Charles Theatre, and I am filled with admiration for the volunteers who have kept Focus on Youth going for three decades.
Speaking of artists, I owe a huge public apology. In a recent column about the artists challenge show at the former Kootenay Hotel, I somehow failed to mention a performance that I found profoundly moving and courageous. That it was created and performed by my friend Brandy Dyer (whom I refer to as my honorary niece) makes the omission all the more embarrassing. Brandy’s piece, Who’s That Girl, used a call and response format and it brought tears to my eyes. It served as a reminder that tragedy and sadness are part of our human experience, adding in their own way to the richness and meaning of our lives.
These are busy days for the many volunteers in our community. The Creston Valley Blossom Festival committee has been hard at work to organize the 75th anniversary, which will include the return of more than a dozen former queens, and serve as a reminder of the festival’s storied past. And plans are already underway for the Creston Valley Fall Fair, which seems on the cusp of a revitalization, with a number of new volunteers stepping up to help out. The fall fair is nearing its own landmark 100th anniversary, and one can only wish organizers success in keeping the event going and growing. With so much interest in our agricultural community these days, one hopes we don’t lose track of our history of growing and producing food.
Another group that should be acknowledged is Trails for Creston Valley, volunteers who are working to encourage the use of our existing trails and creation of new ones. We have made it a priority to get out onto local trails regularly, and it is a joy to explore the natural beauty of the Creston Valley. This is a fine place to call home.
Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.
