With the onset of fall, the seventh annual Alberta Culture Days are quickly approaching, and the Innisfail public library is once again preparing to join in the celebration.
The event, which will take place provincewide beginning Sept. 26 and running through to Sept. 28, began in 2008 as a single day event, Alberta Art Day. Developed as a way to recognize the value of Alberta's art and culture communities, that year over 100 events were held in 30 different centres around the province.
Alberta Culture Days is the evolution of that event, and has become a colourful three-day affair, and the province's largest celebration of heritage, arts, community spirit and cultural diversity.
In 2013, there were 1,450 celebrations all over Alberta throughout the course of the weekend. Innisfail was a proud participant then, and will be one again this Sept. 27.
On that day, the Innisfail public library will host the community's nod to the festive celebration, its second annual Arts Fest. All of the town's residents are invited to come out and discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture through a variety of different activities and workshops.
"We have a lot of great stuff going on this year," said Melinda Mercer, youth/adult programmer at the library. "There really will be something for everyone."
Beginning at 10 a.m. and running until noon, there will be an art workshop with Innisfail artist Osi Cruz-Lahtinen, who will instruct participants on the use of pastels. From noon until 1 p.m., Central Alberta drummer and instructor Carlos Copaban will be hosting a drum clinic, and from 1 until 3 p.m., another celebrated local artist, Kristin Guttridge will be running a drawing workshop.
While some of these activities are geared towards a more adult crowd, there will also be lots for the youngsters to do, with different events scheduled depending on the age group. Kids ages three to nine will have their chance to investigate arts and culture from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and kids ages 10 to 17 will have their shot from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., with lots of different media for both groups to explore.
Arts Fest will be free to attend, but pre-registration is required for the art workshops in particular, and recommended for the children's activities.
"We would love to see everyone make the most of this great opportunity," said Mercer. "Come on down and create!"
To learn more about Alberta Culture Days, visit the website www.AlbertaCultureDays.ca. To find out more about the event at the Innisfail public library, visit www.ipl.prl.ab.ca or call 403-227-4407.
