A small group of Creston area artists and art advocates have formed a new society to increase and promote the presence of artwork throughout the Creston Valley. The Creston Valley Public Arts Connection Society will work with the Town of Creston and Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas A, B and C in an effort to make the arts more visible in Creston Valley and to boost its profile as an arts and culture community.
It is hoped this initiative will benefit the business community and boost tourism. Funding will be pursued through government grants, fundraising and donations.
The Creston Valley Public Arts Connection Society board is a diverse group of people with the mission to have more art on display throughout the Creston Valley to increase artistic interest. Members are president Tanya Wall (RDCK Area B Director), vice-president Joanna Wilson (Creston councillor), secretary-treasurer Bruce Johnston (art advocate), and directors Sandy Kunze (artist), Maggie Leal-Valias (artist) and Kris Dickeson (journalist).
The Creston Valley Public Arts Connection Society’s first project is a collaboration with the Castlegar SculptureWalk. Thanks to sponsored funding from the Town of Creston and RDCK areas B and C, three sculptures have been leased for one year as part of the Castlegar SculptureWalk’s initiative to expand its annual sculpture walk into a more regional project. The cities of Nelson and Rossland have been participating for several years.
Bad Hair Day by Jerry McKellar and Zodiac Totem by Pokey Park were installed along Canyon Street in early April. And 30 Birds (2) by Zohreh Vahidifard was placed behind the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce May 12.
“The Creston Valley has made a huge stride forward for arts in our community,” said Wall.
—CRESTON VALLEY PUBLIC ARTS CONNECTION SOCIETY