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South Shuswap crawling with art

Inaugural event celebrates all genres in multiple locations over the May long weekend
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Photo contributed Artist Lynn Erin has chosen salmon as the focus of her part of the new permanent fibre art installation for the Arts Council of the South Shuswap studio in the lower level of Carlin Hall.

For anyone who has ever thought that the Shuswap could not compete with other arts and cultural meccas in the province such as Salt Spring Island, think again.

The South Shuswap includes a number of distinct communities of Sorrento, Blind Bay, Notch Hill, Eagle Bay, White Lake, Wild Rose Bay, Sunnybrae, Tappen and Skimikin.

“Residents are proud of their own separate areas and are eager to share their community identity or flavour with residents and tourists to the South Shuswap, says Karen Brown, administrator of the Arts Council of the South Shuswap, which was formed in 2014 to promote and support the arts in all its forms in this region and has collaborated on a new arts-based culture crawl happening over the May long weekend.

“We have a number of highly talented visual artists, artisans, musicians, historical storytellers as well as an abundance of First Nations artwork and Aboriginal cultural experiences that we’d love to present to the public,” Brown says. “No other event in the Shuswap is quite like it so we are very excited to see this community collaboration come to fruition this May Long Weekend.”

Live music: The culture crawl will include three nights of amazing live music at the “Hall Crawl.” On Friday night, see Chicken Like Birds, Saturday night Sons of Bitumen and Sunday night Margit Sky Project playing for the public out of Sunnybrae and Carlin Halls. All concerts are $10 and tickets are available locally at Steamers or at the door of each concert.

Artist installation reveal: Local artists Melissa Nasby and Lynn Erin created a permanent fibre art installatio, “A Journey Begins,” in the Arts Council studios. The project was part of an arts-based community development initiative with a grant from the BC Arts Council.

An official unveiling to the public will coincide with a wine and cheese reception and Justin Maas exhibit.

“The incredibly gifted Justin Maas, a member of the Federation of Canadian artists, will present an exhibit at the Arts Council studios, 4051 Myers Frontage Rd. in the lower level of Carlin Hall,” says Brown. “Local wineries will be on site to offer tastings.”

Artwork: Blind Bay Painters will host a show &sale at the Reedman Gallery in Blind Bay Hall on Saturday and Sunday May 19 and 20. This is a talented group of local artists who showcase their work regularly out of Reedman.

Artisan collective: The new Shuswap Artisan Market, located next to Lighthouse Market, will host its grand opening on Saturday, May 20, opening at 10 a.m. Expect to fall in love and take away the works of many local artists and artisans in the areas of pottery, fibre art, 2D art, jewelry, clothing, recycled furniture, rustic signs and more. The collective will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. all weekend.

Aboriginal art &cultural tours: Quaaout Lodge/Talking Rock is partnering with the arts council on this crawl initiative, offering cultural tours all weekend. Those interested are encouraged to call the front desk at Quaaout Lodge. The gift shop at the lodge will be open offering a wide variety of First Nations artwork and clothing.

Historical self-guided walking tour: Steeped in history, Notch Hill, will offer a self-guided walking tour of the Notch Hill Cemetery and the Holy Cross Church restoration. Those interested are to go to the church restoration site at Davies Road at the CP Rail tracks to pick up a map.

Golf tournament &dance: A showcase of dance and movement activities offered through Cedar Heights Centre will be presented on Saturday, May 20. As well, a golf tournament will take place at Cedar Heights. To register, call Bryan at 250.515.1157.

Music Swap Meet: Drop into Sunnybrae Hall on Saturday, May 20, $2 entry.

Eats: Sunnybrae will have the barbecues fired up during their Music Swap on Saturday. Carlin Hall group will offer a $5 meal of chili and homemade bannock on Sunday prior to the Margit Sky Project concert.

For details on all of the crawl events, visit shuswaparts.com.