All ages are invited to celebrate spring equinox with an afternoon of art making at Touchstones Nelson. The Spring Family Fair will run from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.
The event will open with a grass dance by Nemia Darwal at 12:15. A professional dancer of Metis and Okanagan ancestry, Nemia combines traditional Plains dancing with modern and hip hop styles in a unique blend all his own.
The gallery spaces, archives and museum will all be open and filled with hands-on art activities. Animated Inuit legends will be screened in the mini theatre and a pictograph guessing game will be available in the museum.
Artist Boujke Elzinga will show visitors her exhibition La Puerta Negra, and invite them to draw their own post card to send to a friend or relative.
The West Kootenay Francophone Society has installed giant puppets in the lobby, and kids can make their own (much smaller) puppets.
Printmaking and drawing activities will be inspired by the exhibition Unlimited Edition, featuring of Aboriginal and Inuit prints. Unlimited Edition is curated by Tania Willard, aboriginal curator in residence, Kamloops Art Gallery.
Admission to the Spring Family Fair is by donation and half of the proceeds will go to the aboriginal early intervention program at Kootenay Kids.