Media Releases
CELEBRATE THE ARTS DURING SPIRIT OF BC WEEK 2006
Communities to Host Arts and Culture Events
Vancouver, B.C. (February 1, 2006) - Spirit of BC Week 2006 will feature a new dimension this year with the addition of Arts Now pilot projects in eight communities across the province. Nelson, Powell River, Vanderhoof, Bowen Island, Hudson's Hope, Abbotsford, Comox and Lillooet will each receive funding from Arts Now to feature an arts and culture event during Spirit of BC Week 2006, February 3 – 10, 2006.
"Our government supports programs like Arts Now because we understand that a vibrant arts and cultural sector is critical to building healthy communities and a strong creative economy," said Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Olga Ilich. "The arts enrich our lives, attract visitors to our province and are the heart and soul of our communities."
"Thanks to the support of the Province of BC, Arts Now is excited to be supporting Spirit of BC Week 2006 through this pilot program in hopes of encouraging more communities to include arts events in their community celebrations in the coming years," says Lori Baxter, Director of Arts Now. "Each of the selected communities has come up with really unique and engaging ideas that we are sure will connect with the public in their individual communities."
Events in the communities range from arts workshops to celebrations of local artists to storytelling and singing evenings. Each of the eight communities has taken part in the pilot projects with the intention of making these events a long-term feature of their annual Spirit of BC Week celebrations.
"We are thrilled to take part in this initiative and to help raise the profile of arts and culture activities during Spirit of BC Week," said Murray Atherton, Chair of the Bowen Island Spirit of BC Community Committee. "Bowen has a very active and vibrant arts and culture community. Spirit of BC Week gives us an awesome opportunity to showcase some of our local artists."
The following is a list of each community and their scheduled event:
Nelson – A free Artist's Workshop with demonstrations and displays of sculpting, pottery making, portraiture, painting, performance art and a magic show.
Powell River – Ayjoomixw – "Celebration of the Arts Open–House" features a partnership with The Powell River Academy of Music welcoming the public to discuss and view works by local arts groups and artists.
Vanderhoof – Vanderhoof Celebration of the Arts will feature school children working together to build a community ice castle sculpture. The community is also invited to view the works or potters, fibre-artists, basket weavers and First Nations carvers at the Arts Unlimited Building.
Bowen Island – In partnership with the Bowen Island Arts Council, "Visualise Bowen" is a two-day arts event that is free and open to the public featuring a Soundwalk with local artist Hildegard Westerkamp and a banner design and creation workshop.
Hudson's Hope – "Northern Voices" will show the storytelling and singing talents of the region and features the Kiwanis Kids Choir from Dawson Creek and Drummer/Storyteller Paul Rattray from Fort St. John.
Abbotsford – During "Abbotsford Spirit of BC Day" paintings, carvings, music and poetry can be enjoyed by the public at Tretheway House and buildings throughout the historic site which will showcase the breadth of the arts in Abbotsford.
Comox – A "Community Celebration" showcasing the diversity of the Comox Valley including a medley of traditional songs by the Francophone Association, youth First Nations dancers and the Evergreen Seniors "Heartstrings" band.
Lillooet – "Celebrating Lillooet's Diversity", a partnership with Upper St'at'imc Language, Culture and Education Society, features a program of storytelling, music and dance opened by St'at'mic hand drummers and an honour song.
The 2nd annual Spirit of BC Week runs February 3 – 10, 2006.
For more information on Spirit of BC Week, and a complete calendar of events, visit www.SpiritofBC.com
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Media Contact:
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-327-5155
Spirit of BC
More than 90 Spirit of BC Community Committees are working together to leverage Olympic, Paralympic, and other community opportunities in the areas of sport and recreation, arts and culture, literacy and volunteerism. Supported by the Province of B.C. and 2010 Legacies Now, the Spirit of BC Community Committees are committed to developing local programs and events that demonstrate the five elements that define the Spirit of BC – achievement, effort, inclusion, celebration and excellence. For more information, visit www.SpiritofBC.com.
2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, arts, literacy and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities to discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
