NOTE: This story was updated Sept. 26 with new event information.
New Westminster is once again getting set to celebrate Culture Days.
The nationwide celebration of arts and culture runs from Friday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 30. People from all walks of life are invited to take part in free, hands-on and behind-the-scenes events such as workshops, open rehearsals, tours, panel discussions and collaborative art projects, hosted by local arts groups and municipalities.
In New Westminster, a handful of Culture Days events have been announced so far. Among them:
GYRE tours: The New Westminster New Media Gallery (third floor, Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.) is inviting people in to check out the closing weekend of the GYRE exhibition, which explores concepts of infinity through works based in lights, sound and music. It’s free, family-friendly and open to all ages.
It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and the curators will be on hand to lead tours of the exhibition.
Artist at Work: Emiliano Sepulveda: The current Anvil Centre artist-in-residence will be focusing on the "kitchen lithography" printmaking technique, the starting point for a series of experimental prints using a variety of day-to-day aluminum items (pop cans, aluminum siding and bicycle tires, anyone?). You can stop in to Anvil Centre Room 411B between 10 a.m. and noon or 1 and 4 p.m. to watch his process and check out his practice. It's free, and no registration is needed.
Try It! Art Journalling: The Anvil Centre (777 Columbia St.) is hosting this free mini-workshop with artist-instructor Dawn Livera to offer up tips and techniques for art journaling. No previous art experience is necessary, but you need to sign up for the workshop. It’s on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Material Innovations: Detritus Printing: The city’s solid waste artist-in-residence, Katherine Soucie, leads this workshop exploring the use of found objects to create one-of-a-kind prints onto paper and fabric. It runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Arsenic and Old Lace: This one’s happening in Surrey, but since the Royal Canadian Theatre Company’s production of the classic black comedy is coming to Massey Theatre this fall, it’s a chance for New West audiences to get a sneak peek behind the scenes at an open rehearsal. It’s on at the City Parkway Studio (10660 City Pkwy.) in Surrey on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 1 to 3 p.m.
See www.culturedays.ca to find sign-up information or to keep track of new events as they’re added.
