When we think of art we often think of art galleries or paintings on walls. However, art is so much more.
Art takes many forms as the Frieze of the Arts, now hanging in the Adams Room of the new Arts Centre, reminds us. Art is more than just paintings. It is also dance, music, photography, pottery and acting.
Although people often refer to the Summerland Arts Centre as the Summerland Art Gallery it is much, much more than an Art Gallery.
Yes, six shows a year are hosted in the Art Gallery, however, the rest of the Arts Centre space is used for holding workshops for children and adults and the extremely popular Summer Art Program. Various member groups, such as the Summerland Scribes writing group, hold their meetings in this space. Singers an Players held a session on Theatre History of Ancient Greece and Rome earlier this week.
The previous Arts Centre was host to fundraising events such as Cafe Noir.
Can we imagine a world without art?
What would downtown and Lowertown look like without the brightly coloured street banners?
What would they look like without any of the seasonal banners hung around town?
Think how the various murals around downtown and at several of our beaches have brightened up the town.
Chemainus can certainly demonstrate the tourism impact and economic value of this form of public art.
Castlegar is calling itself the Sculpture Capital of Canada as the result of hosting a Sculpture Walk featuring 32 different works. As their website states imagine a vital, vibrant downtown with different sculptures displayed every year and the cultural and economic benefits to Castlegar and the surrounding communities from attracting tourists to their annual international showcase. It appears that business leaders bringing together culture and commerce is working in their community.
Can we imagine a world without music?
What would a world without music be like. What would it be like if we couldn’t attend musical events at Good Omens Coffeehouse or the annual Contenders Tour held every November at Centre Stage. Or Wednesdays on the Water.
These four music filled evenings down at Peach Orchard Park were enjoyed by several hundreds of people, locals and visitors alike.
Imagine radio with no music.
What would Summerland be like without Centre Stage Theatre? No high school plays. No performances by Singers and Players. No Summerland School of Dance.
What would a world without literature and books be like? Imagine a town without a library.
Is art important? Does it add to our quality of life? Does the Studio Tour and the presence of jewelry, photography and paintings in local wineries benefit the local economy?
How should we incorporate art, in all its forms, in the life and development of Summerland?
The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, P.O. Box 1217, 9908 Main St., Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0.