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Invitation to library members to beat the heat with some art

The library has partnered with Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History in Nelson, and Kootenay Gallery of Art in Castlegar to give library members a taste of these great places — and all it takes is a library card.
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Building the Building: Building the Community

The more we get together the happier we’ll be, goes the song — and the Nelson Public Library agrees.

The library has partnered with Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History in Nelson, and Kootenay Gallery of Art in Castlegar to give library members a taste of these great places — and all it takes is a library card.

Touchstones Nelson and Kootenay Gallery have provided the library with trial passes good for three weeks that may be checked out just like a book. The pass allows the holder free access to the institutions to see art shows and historical displays.

“We’re delighted with this partnership,” says chief librarian June Stockdale. “It’s in line with our draft strategic plan, and it opens wonderful new doors for our members.”

Touchstones Nelson, at the corner of Ward and Vernon Streets, resides in a beautiful 1902 building that served as a customs house, post office, museum, and Nelson City Hall before its final transformation in 2006. It now houses a state-of-the-art permanent interpretive historic exhibition, two professional gallery spaces, and a local archives collection. Gallery A is showing two exhibitions, Night and Day: Clothes vs Evening Wear and Ideas for Change beginning September 3; Gallery B features an exhibition entitled Heartlab Presents Re-surface beginning August 27

Kootenay Gallery features two exhibition spaces for contemporary art and hosts professional touring and regional exhibitions by noted artists working in all disciplines. The gallery is situated across from the Castlegar airport, adjacent to the Doukhobor Discovery Centre.

Current exhibitions are Message from the Beetle by Wells artist Claire Kujundzic, an artist’s response to forestry concerns, and Building the Building: Building Community, a photographic story by Marcia Braundy, curated by Helen Sebelius, a celebration of the Vallican Whole.

The gallery giftshop features the work of local artists and craftspeople.

The new passes may be checked out like any library item, and if on loan they may be placed on reserve.

For more information on Touchstones visit nelsonmuseum.ca and for information on the Kootenay Gallery of Art visit kootenaygallery.com.