B.C. Culture Days launch nearing
The new Suk’wtemsqilx’w West Kelowna Art Gallery is open and we have a core group of eight including six artists, Michelle McCullough, Irene Scott, Pat Raphael, Michele Kienas, Sarah Parsons and myself, Julia Trops.
We expect to have the doors open for the public before month’s end, as well as a number of artist packages in place so other members can join in the excitement. If you have any questions on how you can participate, contact gallery manager Michelle McCullough at swacarts@ gmail.com.
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I’ve got terrific news for the SWAC Skyway Airport Art Kiosk! In August, we sold over $3,400 for Okanagan artists, and, overall for the year, is just over $13,000. We think that’s pretty good, considering all items are under $200 and the majority sold are in the $50 ballpark. We’ve got a strong program and structure in place that understands the traveler’s needs and is also performance based which rewards the artists with revenue.
******** The next Call to Artists will take place Jan. 1-31 for display in March 2017 to March 2018, so get ready! This is a wonderful opportunity to get your artwork out in the world. The cost to participate is an exhibiting artist membership, which is $30 for the year and gives you a membership to SWAC, entitling you to participate in any of our activities, including being involved in the new SWAC Art Gallery. We are looking for two jurors for the airport program, one of whom needs to be proficient in Excel.
One of our mandates is to provide these opportunities to artists, businesses and community members. Before we do anything in the community, the directors examine it to determine feasibility and possible reception/rejection. Anyone who wishes to support SWAC in our mission is most welcome to do so, either in time as a volunteer or director, or by funding. Guaranteed this is down home grass-roots organization with local benefits. Contact: swacarts@ gmail.com.
******** Westside Culture Days planning is almost to an end! Look for the Sept. 23 issue of Westside Weekly as it will have information on the B.C. Culture Days provincial launch on Sept. 30. It’s going to be a party!
We will have performers such as Bjorn Kriel, Candace Jack, Peachland Variety Singers, Rachel Layne, Marty Edwards and Jordan Coble. This will be a true mix of the wealth of talent, skill and cultural knowledge across our three communities.
On site will be artists and cultural members from West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, the En’owkin Centre, and Okanagan Nation Alliance presenting demos, offering you opportunities for participation in their particular realm.
You will be able to participate in musical canvases, where you can create a collaborative artwork with five to 10 other people. You can participate in Be a Part of the Art by choosing a prop and imagining yourself in an artist’s artwork. You can wear the wings of our communities’ butterfly. You can learn the rich history of the Okanagan Salmon, from near extinction to resurgence and talk to the people who accomplished this. There will be also a formal speech portion of the program, gifting you with the experience of First Nation protocols.
******** September 30 is Orange Shirt Day, remembering residential school survivors. Many of our participants, if not all, will be wearing something orange.
Please consider doing this, too.
Look for our organizers and participants who will be wearing the I Heart Culture tshirts when you arrive on site, and a passport to your adventure which awaits!
For the entire weekend, the Westside will be a true treasure trove of activities.
We hope you will save the Westside Weekly schedule that will be published Wednesday, Sept. 28 and visit each of the locations which have something special to offer.
More information on the Suk’wtemsqilxw West Kelowna Arts Council (SWAC), talk to Melissa Brown at Westbank Blenz or you email me at swac.arts@ gmail.com. Our website is swac-arts.com.