Celebrate the Craft Council of BC’s 40th anniversary with a series of events around the Columbia Basin area.
Weekend Symposium: Columbia Basin residents are invited to participate in the Columbia Basin Craft Symposium to be held October 25 to 27 in Nelson. This event will focus on the professional development of contemporary craft artists with a variety of workshops, discussions and presentations by some of the most influential artists in the field of Craft today.
This weekend long symposium will touch upon many aspects that contemporary craft faces today: creativity, sustainability, globalization, technology, and business issues such as marketing, pricing and social media. The symposium is an opportunity for Columbia Basin residents who are in a creative field to learn, share and get feedback from artists across the country who are visionaries in their respective fields. There is also an opportunity to sign up for individual portfolio reviews and to have your work photographed by a professional photographer.
The keynote speaker will be Greg Payce: artist, potter, and winner of the 2013 Saidye Bronfman Award (Canada’s foremost distinction for excellence in the fine crafts). Greg has been making ceramics for over 35 years. He has exhibited and given numerous lectures, workshops, and presentations on his practice, both in Canada and internationally.
Registration for this event will open in early October and space is limited. Travel subsidies will be available for the weekend event of October 25 – 27 for residents of the Columbia Basin who live further away from 
Nelson.
Community Events and Workshops: The West Kootenay Regional Arts Council is also
partnering with the Kootenay Gallery, Castlegar Arts Council, and the Kootenay Lake Arts and Heritage Council to offer a series of community events and workshops.
The Kootenay Gallery will kick off the celebration with their exhibition: Invested: 10,000 Hours – an exhibition of contemporary craft. On display will be various craft media by Columbia Basin artists until November 9th.
At the Langham Gallery in Kaslo, local artist Geraldine Rinkel will be offering a two day workshop: Draped Clay tray – create and explore on October 19 & November 2.
Draped Clay tray – create and explore
October 19 & November 2
Local ceramic artist Geraldine Rinkel will be offering a two day workshop: Draped Clay tray – create and explore at the Langham Gallery in Kaslo. Hand-build your own ceramic serving dish using slabs and molds for a functional purpose of just beauty. Explore your decorative ideas with attachments, texture, slip work and more. Glazing techniques will be offered to complete the project. This workshop is suitable for anyone over the age of 16 who wants to get their hands dirty and have some fun!
Registration fee: $40.00 (includes materials and supplies)
To register: http://tinyurl.com/drapedclaytray
Olivia Mansveld will take you through her process of turning recycled frames, materials, and objects into an “objet d’art” using collage, stitching, and assemblage in her workshop Framing with Fabric, October 19th at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar. Workshop registration is now open.
Framing with Fabric
October 19
Local textile artist Olivia Mansveld will take you through her process of turning recycled frames, materials, and objects into an “objet d’art” using collage, stitching, and assemblage in her workshop Framing with Fabric, October 19th at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar. In this workshop Olivia will take you through her process of turning recycled frames, materials, and objects through the process of collage, stitching, and assemblage into an “objet d’art”. Your recycled picture frames will be transformed into pieces of art that is as individual as you are. Feel free to bring in frames, fabrics, clothes, and objects that have sentimental value or that you have been collecting to inspire you to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
Registration fee: $20.00 (includes most materials and supplies – bring a frame to recycle)
To register: http://tinyurl.com/framingwithfabric
These workshops are part of the 2013 Columbia Basin Craft Symposium. For more information visit www.columbiabasincraftsymposium.com or contact the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council at 250-352-2421; toll free: 1-800-850-2787.
Presented by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council in partnership with the Province of British Columbia through Creative Communities and BC Arts Council, Columbia Basin Trust and artsVest. The Columbia Basin Craft Symposium is also generously supported by: The Hume Hotel, The Best Western Nelson, BC Wine Guys, Big Cranium and The Nelson Brewing Company.
For over 20 years, the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council has been actively supporting artistic development in the region. As an arts service organization, WKRAC has developed many projects which foster interest and pride in the cultural heritage of the area, including ARTiculate magazine, Kootenay Arts E-Bulletin, Kootenay Festival and Events brochure and numerous professional development opportunities for artist and arts organizations.
Workshops were created by the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council in partnership with the North Kootenay Lake Arts and Heritage Council, the Castlegar Arts Council and the Kootenay Gallery and is generously supported by the Columbia Basin Trust and the province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and BC Creative Communities.