Art of all kinds is nothing out of the ordinary for the Creston Valley, but this month will be dedicated to the arts, with several venues hosting workshops and shows. By giving expression to the unique spirit of B.C., local artists and arts organizations will use their creative energy to help communities celebrate in their own way in the Creston Valley, from Yahk to Riondel.
Creston’s BC Spirit Festival is one of 49 held throughout B.C. this month, and the only one to run the full month. Designed to showcase the best of the area in visual arts, music, performance, literacy arts and film throughout February, it will be inclusive of young and old, students and teachers, amateurs and professionals, native and non-natives.
The opening ceremony gala will be held at Rotacrest Hall from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 5, and promises a range of musical performers, including guitarist/vocalist Peter Bodley, pianist Monte Anderson, tenor saxophonist Bob van der Poel.
The Ktunaxa Nation Dance Troupe is sure to be a hit, as the dancers showcase traditional Ktunaxa and other First Nations dance forms, allowing them to demonstrate their ability to bring traditional lifestyles into the 21st century. The troupe has performed in Germany and Poland, and across North America, including the 2010 Winter Olympics.
In addition, the opening will showacse artists in all mediums from throughout the Creston Valley. Textiles — in the form of quilts by Brigitte Langevin and Judy Stevenson — stone and pottery will be on display at the opening ceremonies, with self-taught carver Stewart Steinhauer generously donating the use of his sculpture, Bear Circle. He draws on his self-taught cabinetry experience and house design to inform his sculpting work.
In the clay department, the creations of Wynndel Mudders members Andrea Revoy and Sandy Kunze will be seen at the opening. Revoy’s work, whether sculptural or functional, tends to be more on the whimsical side, creating combinations of bright colours and textures via manipulation of the clay and the use of specialty glazes and techniques. Kunze’s pottery is both functional and sculptural — or on another day she may be creating a beautiful large format painting. Her favorite medium is acrylic for her paintings and her pottery showcases the beautiful techniques of raku.
This festival is incorporating contemporary and historical aspects to encourage a vision of community enduring over time. The Creston Museum, for example, will present Art/History, a showcase of historical artwork, at the Creston and District Public Library while a film and discussion series at the library and Snoring Sasquatch will highlight local artists and the Creston Film Club.
Other events include writing and acting workshops, concerts by the Symphony of the Kootenays and the Creston Valley Music Teachers’ Association, a paint-a-thon and a fashion show raising funds for the Options for Sexual Health clinic. The Word Work 2 workshops with Luanne Armstong are being held on Feb. 6 and 13, with a public reading at the Snoring Sasquatch at 7 p.m. Feb. 16.
All month, the basement of Kingfisher Used Books will offer an opportunity for anyone to add their touch to communal collages on a variety of themes, including the digital age, winter blues and paranoia. The work created at this “create station” will be displayed at the Feb. 27 closing ceremonies, which will be held from 1-5 p.m. at the Wynndel Community Hall.
On the lower level will be an art show and sale, enabling artists who missed out on other opportunities during the month to display their talents. Face painting and a spirit plate craft area will also happen downstairs.
Live entertainment will be held upstairs, and feature the music of Fat Charlie, Full Circle, the Kings of Kitchener and Velvet Strings. The latter is a violin and fiddle group led by instructor Velle Huscroft Weitman, who, after growing up in Creston and leaving for 16 years, has come back to her roots with her young family. Full Circle’s members are Bryan Ferguson, Karl Sommerfeld, Ken Girding and Dave Furlong.
Visual art won’t be forgotten there, either, with newspaper roll end murals on the theme “What spirit means to me” being displayed, having been created by elementary and high school students, children in after shcool programs, seniors and anyone visiting the Creston and District Community Complex. Edible art will also be on display and will be used for door prizes — so bringing your appetite is a must.
The diversity of events happening throughout the Creston Valley will showcase the uniqueness and contrast of our geographical location, resulting in the respectful sharing of ideas and wisdom of the area’s vibrant arts scene.
For complete event listings, visit www.spiritfestivalcreston.ca.