Mayor Walt Cobb and Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett participated in the opening ceremonies and inaugural guided tour to kick off the Williams Lake’s 2016 Art Walk and Sale last Friday morning.
They helped to unveil the grand prize of a Prosperity Bear sculpture donated by Spirit Carver Dean Ross. They had words of praise for the artists participating and talked about the importance of art to the local economy.
Ross said he decided on the Prosperity Bear theme because he felt the area could use a boost in prosperity.
He also said that he felt that the bear will bring prosperity to whoever wins it.
The beautiful bear is painted in black and red with natural wood showing through in places and is holding a nice fat salmon.
Barnett said she is always amazed and impressed with the art work she sees on the annual art walk in Williams Lake and can’t resist buying something. Last year she said the walk cost her $1,600.
The art walk is also a great way to get those important health giving steps in.
Even as a busy MLA, Barnett said she takes every opportunity she can to get out and walk.
Even when she is in Victoria Barnett said she takes walks every morning and evening. The exercise routine showed in the easy stride the MLA had while making the rounds of the various art walk venues, which were quite far apart for this first guided tour.
For some of the walk, Barnett accompanied Lucile Adderley who came up from Salt Spring Island and was participating in the walk with her sister Dot Chinner, who is a retired Williams Lake public health nurse.
Adderley said she used to dabble in water colour painting but now just enjoys seeing what other artists are doing.