Arts festival gearing up for week of culture
By Mona Mattei
A unique 10-day event across the Boundary region celebrating the arts is coming in August.
2011 is the first run of the Kettle River Festival of the Arts that will take place in various venues throughout Boundary Country. Events will be held over 11 evenings from Aug. 4 to 14, and offering performances for all ages in theatre, dance, and music; art gallery shows, studio tours, and craft exhibitions; workshops in selected arts and lifestyle areas; competitive and non-competitive recreation events; and activities focused on children and youth. There will also be an agricultural component involving food and arts events that present locally made products.
The Boundary District Arts Council (BDAC) is sponsoring the festival that engages arts groups within each community to put on events during the dates set. The intent of this family-oriented festival is to showcase the diversity of the talent, knowledge and recreational opportunities of the area.
“We invite all arts, agricultural, and heritage-oriented groups or individuals to consider producing an event during this time frame,” explained Karen Mauro one of the organizers. Any group interested in participating can send in their application form and they will be included in the calendar on the website, receive a poster graphic for marketing, and be included in any of the promotions being done by the Festival. “We’ve already got ads out in a couple of magazines, we’re working on local advertising for later on,” added Mauro. “We’ve got a website now with space to start feeding in information about the different groups.”
BDAC is also encouraging businesses and community-oriented organizations in the area to participate in this event with themed events or displays.
“If you hosting a workshop, planning for a guest speaker or a special event, we invite you to be part of our calendar of events and our advertising schedule,” said Alison Turner, chair of the festival committee. “It’s all really coming together and we have lots of things in the work in every community.”
Sponsors for the Festival to date include the City of Grand Forks, Regional District Area C Christina Lake and the Boundary District Arts Council. As a small organizing committee, Turner said the way they are operating is really successful.
“The organizational structure is working really well,” explained Turner. “All the groups have control over their own event, so it’s not a question of needing to have the manpower or resources to run all the different events.”
Groups, businesses or organizations can download their application form to participate and submit it to the Festival along with the registration fee of $25 before June 15, 2011. Visit the Festival’s website for a calendar of events, to volunteer, or just for more information: www.kettleriverartsfestival.com.coming in August.
