Next weekend, cities across the country celebrate the arts with the fourth annual Culture Days from Friday, Sept. 27 to Sept. 29. And the City of Richmond is no exception.
Swelling from 33 events two years ago, to 66 last year, Culture Days in Richmond now includes well over 80 performances, workshops, open houses and studio tours.
"Richmond is definitely in the top 10 cities across Canada now when it comes to Culture Days celebrations," said Liesl Jauk, City of Richmond cultural development manager.
"It really creates some momentum and celebrates homegrown Richmond artists. People want to participate in something bigger than themselves."
One such artist, prominent in the Richmond culture scene, is Jeanette Jarville who has been opening her studio to the public for the past four years.
"I open the studio twice a year, for this and Doors Open. It's a lot more fun to do it in conjunction with these city-wide events," said Jarville, whose home studio is located at 13211 Steveston Hwy.
This year, Jarville said she's looking forward to displaying a new body of work including more of her largescale, dynamically coloured abstract figures and vibrant forest scenes.
Up to 200 people have pass through Jarville's studio doors during the event over the four years.
"I think this event is great for all of Canada," she said. "It's a big push for the general public to be aware of the art around them."
For the first time, the Youth Art Mart will display young artists.
On Saturday, the city will also host the third PechaKucha Night at the Performance Hall of the Richmond Cultural Centre. Ten speakers from a variety of artistic backgrounds will
explore the theme of New Worlds, presenting 20 pictures for 20 seconds each, while briefly speaking about each photo.
"The Richmond Museum keeps artifacts they can't use in a secret storage type space, so the public will have a chance to get a tour of that place, as well," said Jauk. "There'll be a lot of interesting things there."
To get the full schedule, visit www.culturedays.ca.
Library highlights Friday, Sept. 27. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. - Stories From Near & Far & Now & Then (Storytelling for Adults - program #905). 12:30-2 p.m. - Write & Publish Your Family Memoir (program #906) Saturday, Sept. 28. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Crime Fiction Writing Workshop: Tips & Tricks From Criminal Minds (program #901). 2:30-4:30 p.m. - Is it Always Happily Ever After? A Storytelling Workshop (program #904). 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - Authors' Book Sale and Signing To register, visit www.yourlibrary.ca/progs.
