Fourteen years of fine tuning have helped to make Arts Alive in the Park a beloved staple of Powell River’s summer event circuit.
The annual weekend of art en plein air will once again return to the shores of Willingdon Beach from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, August 16, and from 11 am to 6 pm Sunday, August 17.
While organizer Ann Nelson’s overall vision for the weekend has admittedly “not changed much” over the years, it hasn’t really had to. The pop-up “village” of artists and attendees who take part every August make the event a whole different experience each time it happens. New ideas, and new villagers, are always welcome though.
“We’re always looking for fun things to add...trying to find ways to engage every age group, every demographic, every interest, as long as it relates to arts, culture and education,” Nelson explained.
From the layout of booths to the choice of organized activities, everything about Arts Alive has been designed to encourage interaction. “That’s the key,” said Nelson, “because that’s what community is about—interaction and that human contact.”
While past years have featured poetry slams, murals and moon bag ceremonies, the event’s most successful ingredients have always been visual art, music and food. As always, they will be returning in abundance along with those who do them best.
Information booths will be set up around the park as well, not only for Powell River Arts Council but for Powell River Public Library and other culture-minded groups in the community with a message or activity to advertise.
Mehndi, or henna, will also be back this year. “That was just an outrageous success,” said Nelson. “We’ve got a couple of volunteers who are going to do mehndi all weekend long.”
As always, Arts Alive will remain a free community event where children are welcome and adults are encouraged to drop in as their schedule allows. “People comment every year how much they look forward to coming down and hanging out and checking in, maybe going up to the Open Air Market for a while, coming back,” said Nelson. “There’s always something different going on on the stage and if they need to go away and think about a piece of art that they think they want to buy, they can. The artist will still be there.”
Exactly how many artists remains to be seen. The roster of vendors and performers at Arts Alive will be a moving target right up until the gates open, something Nelson explained helps to maintain an element of both inclusion and surprise. “There’s still room up until the 11th hour,” she said. “We have never turned anyone away.”
For more information on Arts Alive in the Park or to sign up as a vendor or performer, readers are encouraged to contact Nelson at 604.483.9930 or [email protected].
