A New Salmon Arm

It's a sad day for this community. City Council voted in favour of amending the OCP to allow SmartCentres to build a shopping centre on 20-some acres of waterfront (yes, the details are in the words, but essentially we're talking waterfront). While there are many good reasons for this not to have been allowed to happen, my biggest concern is the backward thinking about community planning. I thought information about creative cities, compact urban cores, in-fill and mixed housing, walkable cities, neighbourhood hubs and motor-free connecting trails was getting through to municipal governments. I've heard many stories about other cities that have made huge strides in building thoughtful, people-friendly communities that attract families and businesses. This decision will change the face of Salmon Arm, and will make us just like any other sprawling asphalt-scape with enough recreational shopping opportunities to feed the hungry consumers of our time. Now Council will have to figure out where to build a bigger landfill.

Paint the Town is upon us...

Artists are generally a reclusive bunch. There are a few who are flamboyant, but many are shy and a bit timid about declaring themselves an "artist." I say "get over it." When you have the ability to interpret a subject in a new way, and then create an image of it, no matter how realistic or abstract, then you have something to share with the world. Paint the Town and Paint the Festival (at Roots & Blues) is our chance to show people a tiny glimpse of the process. Now it's one of SAGA's major fundraisers (since the loss of Direct Access funding last year) so we want some exciting work that can bring in big dollars at the silent auction, but we also want artists to have fun interacting with the public and perhaps even putting some of that energy into their work. It's a bit outside-the-box for both artist and viewer. Saturday, August 7 on Hudson Avenue and Alexander Street.

Finding Local Art

I'm just starting to distribute little window signs that say "Shuswap Artist Exhibiting Here" to downtown businesses who show local art. Some of these places enjoy an arrangement with an artist, who maintains a revolving collection of work, adorning their walls with new and intriguing works year-round. Other businesses take different artists each month or every six months or so. Whatever the arrangement, artists generally appreciate the opportunity to show and sell their work in a retail environment. Of course the work has to be visible, meaning at eye level (not stuck between cluttered shelving, for example). When visitors come into the public art gallery they often ask where they can find more local artwork. I will look forward to showing them the little sign that they can look for, and refer them to the Arts Council's website under "ArtWalk" to find out exactly who is displaying where.

It ain't easy being WOW

I suppose to the average concert-goer, WOW looks pretty easy. There's a band, there's a sound guy, there's an audience. Simple. To any of the previous 15 coordinators, this statement is ridiculous. From February onward each year, the Arts Council starts seeking sponsorship, placing ads, applying for grants, booking the sound technician, promoting band participation, booking the gazebo, creating a new poster, establishing a marketing plan, and pulling together a committee of people to select the line-up. This year, things were more crazy with the knowledge that Gaming funds were not forthcoming, and the work to partner with the Downtown Association to make this concert series even possible. And then the concerts start! When the coordinator is up on stage at the half-time break, they are juggling 25 announcements, thank you's and scheduling notes in their head. It's tough, but the main message is that it takes a whole community of individuals, businesses, dollars and volunteers to make this event happen. Let's not let it slip away.

Combining Events

Yesterday, my family had a combined birthday party for the four family members whose birthdays are in June. What a rip. Sure, it's easier for those of us whose schedules seem to require 28 hours in a day. But what we're doing is under-celebrating people, and exhausting ourselves by trying to cover all the bases. Silly?

Let's consider the next scenario: We (being SAGA and the Arts Council) are combining events on Wednesday, June 16. It is time for SAGA's AGM, which at this point doesn't promise to be a blockbuster event. It is also time for the Marie Manson and Blair Borden Awards to be handed out. So instead of plugging in the tea kettle on two different days, we're working together to make a nice reception for the SAGA members and the very talented award recipients; Scott Crocker (MM), Joseph Dansereau (BB) and Asha Pratt-Johnson (BB). Then, weather permitting, we will all hike down to the wharf and enjoy ShuJaz at WOW. We'll be exhausted, but we'll have accomplished a great deal in a day. I wonder if we'll remember any of it on Thursday.

Tribute to Bern Smith

A wonderful opening reception tonight at SAGA. Bern's work is really amazing - his skill at portraits is unsurpassed. It was a delight to see all his friends from the seventies and eighties come out to see the show, and to meet Bern's son, Brett. So many stories, many old photos were passed around, lots of laughs and memories. What a fitting tribute to the man who had such an impact on this community. Bern is the one responsible for many Shuswapians beginning an art collection. He showed us that original works of familiar landscapes have vitality, an energy that prints and posters lack. Like many great artists, this exhibition came 16 months too late. But tonight we celebrated the man and his work. This show continues to June 26. A must see.

WOW begins again

Perhaps it's the crazy weather, but summer doesn't feel quite upon us yet. The first concert of Wednesday On the Wharf is my harbinger. Brian PJ will be there with two big jazz bands. Concert starts at 6:45pm, and the clouds better be white. Roger Parenteau (WOW Coordinator) has just returned from coordinating a triathlon in Calgary during that snowstorm. What a nice change for him to come home to the Shuswap!