A sizable, enthusiastic turnout attended the Kootenay Gallery on Wednesday, January 15 as the curtain was all but raised on the all-new Culture at the Confluence website.
The site is actually up and running as of early this morning, and truly fits the one-stop-shopping model for getting and staying up-to-speed on local arts/culture/entertainment. The address is: www.castlegarculture.com
"Culture at the Confluence is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community by providing a means to connect our citizens and to encourage the use of our cultural resources and engage participation in local events and activities," says Jacquie Hamilton of the Castlegar Arts Council.
Quoted in a Jan. 15 press release, Audrey Maxwell Polovnikoff, Recreation/Cultural Programmer with the Castlegar & District Recreation Department, informs that "The new website features a visually rich design, easy and intuitive navigation and an increase in information to include the full scope of arts, culture and heritage offerings."
The release goes on to state: "The website provides a useful tool for those within our cultural community; connecting artists searching for exhibition venues, assisting local clubs finding space for meetings and allowing event planners a quick overview as to additional events which may be happening on their dates of consideration."
Nelson-based communications specialist Jessica Ogden had been brought on board roughly five months ago by the Castlegar Cultural Advisory Committee to assist with the project. She was hired under a Job Creation Partnership of the Employment Program of BC. Ogden, like the rest of those on the scene was excited and gratified by the debut of the new web entity.
"It's incredible," said Ogden following the event in which she narrated a tour of the site. "It's like waiting for a baby to be born." The Queen City resident appreciated the exercise for a number of reasons, including getting a grasp on the cultural climate in these parts.
"I'm just so much more in the know… about all the artists who are here… it definitely opened my eyes to what Castlegar has to offer."
Check it out for yourself… www.castlegarculture.com