Arts on the Avenue in Ladysmith hits its stride this weekend on year 14 of this downtown arts show and sale event.
For one day, Sun., Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the main street of Ladysmith is transformed into a day for all ages to enter the arts world in the community.
From White Street to Gatacre, the tents, tables and awnings and all the wares of local artists, not to mention the strolling viewers, are the visible conversions of the core of First Avenue for this day.
What is less visible are the months of organization by many that have gone into making this event a success. A committed, hard-working committee within Ladysmith exists behind the scenes to bring this venue to fruition each year.
Ladysmith Arts Council president Kathy Holmes’s eyes light up at the mention of the event.
“It’s a great place to meet the artists, ask questions, create a personal connection with the artists and find a treasure or two from both emerging and established artists from this area,” she says. “The art is all juried, which means it goes through a quality control process that creates a high standard for the show.”
The event was started 14 years ago by a group of local artists and art appreciators who wanted to promote fine arts in the community.
It has expanded and grown since, and now Ladysmith receives visitors from around the Island and the Lower Mainland for this event. There are local internationally-known artists participating, such as Michael Dean and Jack Fisher. The guest artists this year are the JoVic Pottery artists Josee and Vic Duffhues, who have participated in the event for each of its 14 years.
In addition, there is an expanded culinary arts section that offers local high-quality artisan foods. The culinary delight products all meet the Vancouver Island Health Authority health standards rules.
Musical entertainment, busker-style, will be interspersed throughout the venue, offering a sound menu for your ears and spirit.
Musical artists include Alice Maundell on saxophone; Fred Worelley on guitar, playing 1950s and 1960s music; Graham Hartley on guitar and bongo drum, playing Latin and African music; Dan Miron playing bluegrass guitar; and Henry Locke on guitar.
There will be a Creative Corner for children at the Ladysmith and District Credit Union parking lot with approximately eight entertaining art and craft activities for youth.
A reminder that, in order for the event to be safe and fun for all, no dogs — not even the teacup variety — are allowed at this event, and the dog enforcement officer will be present to ensure that this is strictly enforced.
Sponsors of Arts on the Avenue include Ladysmith and District Credit Union, Doug Routley MLA, the Town of Ladysmith, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Yellow Point Lodge, Roberts Street Pizza, Mid Island Co-Op, Layman Financial Services, Pharmasave, High Street Dental, APL Chartered Accountants, 1st Avenue Barber Shop, Lion’s Club, and Rotary International. This event would not be possible without the generous contribution of these businesses.
In past years, 4,000 to 5,000 participants have attended this event. Parking will be at high demand, so foot traffic is appreciated.
As the hearty and vigilant organizers move closer to the delivery of this year’s Arts on the Avenue extravaganza, no doubt next year’s plans are already beginning to unfold.
Like the rise and fall of the tide, this venue is an inevitable, and much-loved, part of the Ladysmith landscape.
