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Six artists and 150+ Creative Acts in Castlegar

The Kootenay Gallery will host the opening of an art exhibition 150+ Creative Acts on June 16
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The Kootenay Gallery will host the opening of an art exhibition 150+ Creative Acts today.

This exhibition, featuring six Kootenay artists, is a component of the gallery’s larger community project of the same title.

The exhibition will be shown in the East Gallery and will run until July 29.

Participating artists include Susan Andrews Grace, Sarah Elizabeth Grimwood, Jane Merks, Natasha Smith, Deborah Thompson and Rachel Yoder.

Artists in the region were given an opportunity to respond to a call for work on the theme of 150 Creative Acts and the results are diverse, in both their materials and their responses to the themes.

“When I put out the call, I wasn’t sure what to expect but what I received is reflective of general remarks I’ve heard from the community when I ask them about Canada 150 – some works are about gratitude and celebration and others are a critical analysis,” said exhibition curator Maggie Shirley.

“I think this is a healthy approach to discussing the anniversary of Confederation — it is both a time to honour our strengths and an opportunity to be honest about our past and current inequalities, such as our treatment of First Nations people.

“This is a time for setting sights on a future that builds from where we’ve been and where we are now. Art and creativity have that ability to help us reflect on life”

In the West Gallery, visitors will have an opportunity to find out more about the community element of 150+ Creative Acts.

“Everyone can see what we’ve been doing in the community so far,” said project assistant, Emma Chapman. “They can also come and make something. We’ll have tables set up with activities for kids and adults.”

The community component of the project is challenging people to do something creative and to report it to 150creativeacts@gmail.com.

“For every 150 acts, we’re going to make a big birthday candle and put it up around town,” said Chapman. “We’ve already got 116 acts counted so just a few more to go before we have our first candle.”

Everyone is welcome to come to the exhibition opening at 7 p.m.

The gallery also encourages people to participate in the community challenge and contribute to our 150+ Creative Acts. Contact the Kootenay Gallery of Art (kootenaygallery@telus.net) for more information.