Artists in the region have a new and exciting opportunity to become part of developing a new Central Cariboo Art Route, says Leah Selk, Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society coordinator.
The project is sponsored by the arts and culture society with the support of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and the Cariboo Regional District, Selk says. It is supported financially by the Community Tourism Opportunities (CTO) program under the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation.
Participation is open to artists living in the Central Cariboo areas of Williams Lake and Cariboo Regional District Areas D, E, and F and who are willing to open up part of their home or a building on their property to display their art and practice.
"The Central Cariboo Art Route is an opportunity to develop the arts sector and showcase the region’s artists and artisans," Selk says. "Through a year-round, self-guided tour, locals and visitors alike will have the chance to connect with artists at work and gain a deeper sense of their practice."
She says the program is designed to provide increased market exposure and revenue generated for local artists through direct sales and/or post-visit shipping orders, along with increased visits and sales to local galleries and cafes, has the potential to transform our resource dependent economy to a diversified economy, rich in artistic talent.
Non-profit and business participation, also located within the Central Cariboo, is available to galleries, museums, artist collectives, or commercial spaces primarily focused on displaying local art for artists/artisans.
Participation fees allow for the inclusion of a photo or image and a write-up in the 2013 Central Cariboo Art Route brochure, which will be available online and at participants’ studios, galleries, and cafes.
She noted inclusion is limited to 25 participants for 2013.
She adds the art route program strives for a balanced representation of mediums and locations through the Central Cariboo region and as such organizers can't guarantee that all applications will be accepted.
The application deadline is Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. Application forms and information on the fee structure is available at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre (90 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake), on the CCACS website at www.centralcaribooarts.com, or via email from artroute@centralcaribooarts.com
For more information contact Maureen LeBourdais, Fraser Basin Council
Central Cariboo Art Route Coordinator at artroute@centralcaribooarts.com