Explore artists' studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites this weekend
By Nelson Daily Editor
The Heritage city’s arts scene comes alive this weekend with the Columbia Basin Culture Tour.
Explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites during this free, self-guided event (August 13-14 from 10 am – 5 pm).
Travel to studios and archives that aren’t normally open, see demonstrations, new exhibitions and collections or meet people behind the scenes. To participate in the tour, simply grab a map, your Culture Tour Directory, and go.
Eileen Delehanty Pearkes
Meet Nelson writer Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, working from her unique studio tucked in her beautiful private garden where she inspires readers to look with fresh eyes at the world around them.
Kutenai Art Therapy Institute
The Kutenai Art Therapy Institute (KATI) will host an Open Art Studio for people of all ages to participate in art making in a community setting. Art materials will be provided and no experience is necessary.
KATI will also showcase art from several local art therapists and community artists and provide tours of the studios and library.
Chinatown Plaque Project
The Chinatown Plaque Project is a monument in form of an inscribed local rock located at the northwest Corner of Hall and Vernon Street.
The rock’s location is at an entrance to what used to be Nelson’s Chinatown, at one time one of the largest in British Columbia’s interior.
Touchstones Nelson
Touchstones Nelson is a unique combination of Art Gallery, Museum and Archives offering everything from contemporary art, pop culture, and fine craft, to local architecture and human history.
Craft Connection
Be sure to visit the Craft Connection, featuring the very best in local art and craft and whose motto is to put art into the homes, lives and hearts of their customers.
Kootenay School of the Arts
KSA at Selkirk College are also opening their doors, where the studio-based curriculum provides students with skills to make a living through their professions in art, craft and design. This year you will find a number of graduates and instructors from the clay, fibre, jewelry and metal studios featured during the Culture Tour.
St. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral (Anglican)
Built in 1899, St. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral (Anglican) is a by-law designated heritage building in the City of Nelson containing 16 memorial stained glass windows.
The stained glass windows are unique and collectively the best example of Church stained glass in the Kootenays and on par with those in Cathedrals in Vancouver and Victoria.
A presentation of the family history of the memorials on the various windows will be presented at 2 pm on both days. Due to Church service the venue will only be open 1-5 pm on Sunday, Aug. 14.
Shannon Meritt
Shannon Meritt’s pots are heirlooms meant for everyday use. Each one is a handcrafted conversation, as Shannon presses typewriter keys into the flesh of the clay to share her experiences.
Arranging words and pictures across the surface of the clay is a bit like storytelling or journalling, and your reaction to the pots is part of the story.
eARTh Studios – Diane Walters
Then visit eARTh Studios, the long time dream of Diane Walters, which is a fully functioning pottery/sculpture studio offering wheel thrown and altered production pottery.
Tea’s Studio
In the Rosemont area visit Tea’s Studio to view her oil and acrylic paintings, where Tea seeks light and reflections to capture the essence of what she sees. Her painting method is loose and easy with strong brushstrokes in a whimsical, colourful style.
Carol Reynolds
Carol Reynolds creates paintings of Nelson; her home and unending inspiration where she has been painting fulltime for the past 12 years.
She loves the rich colours that oils create and constantly strives to capture the effects of light in her paintings.
Nathan Smith
At Sunsmith Design Nathan Smith creates unique metal art, inspired by the sun. His passion for sundials has led him to the world of outdoor sculpture and public art.
Nathan also designs everything from custom furniture to garden gates for individuals and galleries searching for one of a kind, handcrafted, fine metal work.
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 or register to receive a tour brochure in the mail.
- For further information, call the CKCA at 1-250-505-5505 or toll free at 1-877-505-7355. The Columbia Basin Culture Tour is generously supported by Columbia Basin Trust funding.
