Arts and culture discussed

Arts and culture: How are they important to our quality of life? will be the topic of the first Philosophers’ Cafe for 2014.

Arts and culture: How are they important to our quality of life? will be the topic of the first Philosophers’ Cafe for 2014.

It is being held next Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the Adams Room at the Summerland Arts Centre, 9533 Main St.

Bernard Momer, an associate professor of geography at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, will be leading the discussion on the importance of arts and culture to a community’s economy and quality of life. Momer is the author of “The Creative Sector of Kelowna, British Columbia – an Economic Impact Assessment” and “Our City, Ourselves: A Cultural Landscape of Kelowna, BC.” He also contributed to Kelowna’s new Cultural Plan, “Thriving, Engaging, Inspiring.”

One of the wonderful things about these Philosophers’ Cafes is that they are designed to encourage conversation and dialogue. So this is not a lecture. This is an opportunity to hear some of Momer’s ideas on the value of arts and culture and then for those in attendance to share their thoughts and comments.

So what role does art play in your life?

Look around your house. Are there paintings on the walls? Framed photographs? Perhaps some pottery bowls on display. Maybe a china cabinet full of collectibles. All of those things plus the style of your furniture and light fixtures add to the ambience of your house. Pick up a book or a cd and look at the artwork and design on the cover.

In addition to the art and design that goes into our own homes there is public art. Sculptures on a street. Or banners hanging from lamp standards. Some communities wrap their electrical boxes with local images in order to make something mundane more interesting. Art is obviously in the eye of the beholder, but art is all around us. Imagine how drab the world would be without it.

So, if you are interested in the importance of art and culture please attend the first of six Philosophers’ Cafes scheduled for this season.

The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the discussion beginning at 7 p.m. Admission and tea/coffee and cookies are available by donation.

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If you know of an event you feel should be included in the Arts Palette or on the Arts Council’s online calendar, please email: artspalette@summerlandarts.com or call: 250-404-3225.

The SCAC online Event Calendar is on the News page of summerlandarts.com Additional information can be found atfacebook.com/SummerlandArts

Keep up with current news by following @artspalette

The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, Publicity Chair and President of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9533 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.

Summerland Review