The Williams Lake Community Arts Council is hosting two new events in keeping with its Reflecting Diversity theme, says arts council co-ordinator Venta Rutkauskas.
“The goal is to provide programming and events open to all ages and artists of all levels, celebrating the diversity of our creative community,” Rutkauskas says. “Reflecting Diversity builds on our organization’s mandate to enrich the public’s experience through the arts, while offering means of education and meaning-making that help to inspire dialogue.”
The first event is called Shorelines of the Cariboo Virtual Exhibit and is a competition open to all artists and naturalists, promoting the bio-diversity of lake-shores, river-shores, creek-shores and wetlands.
People are invited to create art and/or photography that raise awareness about the importance of these water ecosystems, and send in a photograph of their work to the arts council’s Virtual Gallery. The entry deadline is April 30.
Images for the contest can be uploaded to www.facebook.com/bakercreeksociety/app/451684954848385/ or to the arts council at at williamslakearts@gmail.com
Prizes will be awarded in both youth and adult categories, with an additional viewer’s choice award.
Adult prizes for first through third place are $200, $125 and $75 respectively. Youth prizes are $75, $50, $25 respectively. The prize for a group submission is $75.
The prize for the viewer’s choice award is $150.
Developed in partnership with the Baker Creek Enhancement Society and the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, Rutkauskas says the arts council hopes the project will inspire stewardship and creativity, while creating a platform for communication and artists’ display.
Also in keeping with the Reflecting Diversity theme, a Willow Basket Making Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 12, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre’s open studio. The cost is $65 for the day or $50 for seniors/students or those who are unemployed.
Facilitator Christina Mary, from Horsefly, will lead participants through a daylong instruction to learn the skills and techniques of this ancient craft, building a basket by day’s end.
This ancient handcraft promotes cultural diversity and sustainability, using materials abundant in nature that are collected and made by hand.
Participants will build their dexterity, creativity and sense of achievement.
Build your dexterity, your creativity and your sense of achievement!
To reserve a place in the workshop contact Sharon Hoffman at 250-392-5671, or e-mail williamslakearts@gmail.com.