As Christine Petkau, of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, pointed out in the Chamber Corner column last week, Summerland is alive with cultural organizations and artists who add a real vibrancy to our community.
This vibrancy and the economic spin-offs created by the cultural community are fully on display this weekend and next.
This weekend features a quilting extravaganza at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre as the thousands of quilters from across the country come together for the 32nd National Juried Show that celebrates the best in contemporary quilt making.
In addition to these shows there will be more than 50 merchant booths featuring everything a stitcher could desire; custom fabric, state of the art sewing machines, a rainbow of threads and embellishments, and tools and technology for every creative sewer.
On Saturday night at the Cleland Theatre Rosemary Thomson and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra present Last Night of the Proms – Masterworks VI.
The May 24 to 26 weekend is packed with art activities in Summerland. The Summerland Pleasure Painters present their Annual Spring Show and Sale at St. Stephens Anglican Church hall on May 24, 25 and 26. The hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to view the results of their “Pleasurable” past-time. Tea and refreshments will be available by the church ladies, as well as tours of the historic Anglican Church.
The May 25 to 26 weekend is also the Summerland Studio Tour weekend when a whole series of Summerland’s Art Studios will be opening their doors to welcome visitors in to see how they make their magic happen. You can pick up a map for your own self-guided tour at the Summerland Art Gallery or the Visitors Information Centre or at the Summerland Library.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see pottery studios, a woodworking shop and a blacksmith’s forge where he creates beautiful sculptures with red hot iron. Not to mention a photographer’s studio and a clothing designer. These and other studios will be open Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interested in drawing? Register for the Introduction to Drawing and Dry Media course being held May 25 and 26 at the Arts Centre.
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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@summerlanarts.com or call 250-494-8994. summerlandarts.com and twitter.com/artspalette
The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, Box 1217, 9533 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.
