On Thursday, November 1st, 2012, the Castlegar Arts Council held our 38th Annual General Meeting in the Castlegar Community Complex. We had a great turn out with over 12 members and representatives from the Kootenay Gallery, Castlegar & District Recreation Department, the Selkirk Spinners & Weavers, West Kootenay Camera Club, Castlegar & District Historical Society, the City of Castlegar, local artists and photographers and other guests in attendance.
During the AGM, President Leni Normington detailed a list of activities that the Arts Council oversees. The Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance Granting program, Castlegar Embetsu Educational Exchange Committee, Art Walk 2012, Kootenay Festival, and representation on the Cultural Advisory Committee all took their turn in the spotlight. The Arts Councils’ role with these activities is to provide support, financial administration or hands-on work to continue building the cultural momentum in our community and region.
For the 16th Art Walk 27 artists displayed in 25 business mini-galleries with a very successful Opening Event held at the Castlegar Community Complex. Local businesses were thanked again for their willingness to provide ‘gallery space’ and revenue through venue fees. Treasurer Jacquie Hamilton noted that Art Walk continues to be financially self-supporting.
A star of the evening was definitely the announcement of the 2012 Nesika Provincial Award Nomination for the Castlegar Arts Council. Partnering with the Recreation Department to showcase the cultural diversity of our community, the Kootenay Festival Planning Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers with a passionate interest and commitment to promoting local arts and multiculturalism within the Kootenay region. Another star of the night was Donna Shauer a local graphic designer who has designed and created an e-newsletter to keep people in the ‘arts loop’. You can subscribe to the newsletter at castlegarts@gmail.com. A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers, staff, and anyone else who lent a helping hand in making these events a success.
The Election of Officers followed. The 2012-2013 Arts Council Executive is Leni Normington, President, Val Field, Vice-President, Jacquie Hamilton, Treasurer, and Margo Saunders, Secretary. Members-at-large include Chris D’Arcy, Peter Perepolkin, Sandra Donohue, and Gordon Turner.
The meeting ended on a very positive note with announcements about the upcoming Kootenay Gallery Christmas Show and the Selkirk Weavers & Spinners Christmas Show. Established over 38 years ago to support and nurture arts and culture in Castlegar it was clear at this years’ AGM that the Castlegar Arts Council continues to thrive and integrate arts into the fabric of our everyday lives.