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Columbia Basin Culture Tour coming to the region

Kootenay Culture showcased around East Kootenay August 13, 14
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Adolf Hungrywolf’s show “Recollections

Townsman Staff

The Cranbrook-Kimberley area is right in the heart of the annual Columbia Basin Culture Tour, which is taking place this weekend.

The free, self-guided event — a project of the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance — happens Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14 — allows the public to explore artists' studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites a free, self-guided event and archives that aren't normally open, to see demonstrations, new exhibitions and collections or meet people behind the scenes.

In Cranbrook, the Cranbrook History Centre (celebrates the heritage and cultural diversity of Cranbrook and the East Kootenay. Explore Cranbrook's colorful history — from its early days as a Canadian Pacific Railway divisional headquarters to the modern city it is today.

The CHC is also hosting East Kootenay author and photographer Adolf Hungrywolf's show "Recollections," which includes photographs of aboriginal peoples, places and landscapes, wildlife and trains. Some of Adolf's new works are wonderful pictures to his most recent visit to Peru. By donation in support of Peruvian peasants, Adolf had adopted a small village and travels to visit them. While he is there they travel across the mountains on foot to hand out scholl supplies and small gifts of toys and craft materials. Hungrywolf has a presentation and question-and-answer scheduled for 2 pm – 4 pm

Also in Cranbrook, the Cranbrook and District Arts Council will be offering workshops and demonstrations all weekend at the gallery on Baker Street. Drop in and enjoy live entertainment in their Back Alley Art Space.

Marysville Artisans are showcasing local handmade crafts and features numerous artists from Kimberley and surrounding area. Founded in 2004, 10 local artists own and operate this unique and evolving shop. You'll find jewellery, pottery, stained glass and metal work, as well as wood bowls and spoons, handbags, garden decor and more.

In Kimberley, Twila and Tony Austin of Dragon's Rest Working Studios, Gallery & Dragon Iron Forge, forge their creative magic on the banks of mystical Mark Creek. They work in metal, wood, clay and sumi-e, from one-of-a-kind commissions and traditional Japanese Noh Masks to public sculpture. Twila works in precious metals, wood and ceramics. Her "Mermaid Tears" earrings and pendants are always in demand. Tony works in forged steel, wood, sumi-e and watercolour.

Visit Caprice Fine Art in Kimberley and experience the colourful landscape oil paintings of Caprice Hogg. Caprice does commission works and offers private one-on-one art lessons.

Rob Toller is a self-taught artist who has worked in a variety of media including clay, wood, stone, and mostly now steel. Join Rob in his back yard workshop where he welds and forges metal sculptures from found objects.

Diamond Bits – Art from the Earth features work by artist Helen Robertson who creates functional ceramic tableware through a variety of hand-building techniques, followed by complex multiple surface work and layered glazes.

Visit Shannon Fraser's studio, that is not usually open to the public, to share her passion for batik. Modern batik is a technique using hot wax and dye on cotton or silk to produce a variety of effects to create wall hangings or anything fabric is used for.

Valley Mudders Pottery Group is an organization and venue dedicated to supporting ceramic arts in Creston. View samples of members' work, from pinch pots to raku, decorative art to sculpture, they love exploring it all and 'talking mud'!

These are just a few of the venues on the 2016 Columbia Basin Culture Tour. To participate simply grab a map, your Culture Tour Directory and go. Tour brochures are available at tourist information centres and participating venues. Visit the website at www.cbculturetour.com to view full artist/venue profiles for further details on each location's activities.

The Columbia Basin Culture Tour is supported by Columbia Basin Trust funding.