The Water Valley area continues to have a thriving and vibrant arts community – thanks in no small part to the tireless and ongoing efforts of Chinook Creative Arts Foundation (CCAF) members.
The foundation has hosted 43 annual art shows in the old Water Valley School since its inception in 1971.
The foundation promotes area artists and also maintains the historic building, says CCAF chair Leslie Cameron, noting the foundation gained the lease of the school in 1982, and held the first art show in 1990.
“It's a very unique art show that we have. We're not really an artist group – we just support the arts and the growth of arts in the community,” said Cameron.
Besides the art show, the foundation rents out the school to various community groups, and uses funds raised to maintain the school.
The Water Valley Library and the Water Valley Playschool use the building, and there are various classes and workshops including yoga, boot camp, painting, speech therapy, as well as cribbage nights, she said.
“So we rent it out for just about anything. And so there's a lot involved in the maintenance,” she added, noting that the group recently finished work on the chimney of the building.
The foundation holds its annual art show on the last Saturday in April every year, and this year there were 55 exhibitors and over 100 in attendance.
“Cremona School had several displays of high school photography and art using different mediums ranging from paper to pen and ink,” she said.
“Throughout the foyer, staircase and kitchen the kindergarten to Grade 4 children had an impressive display, including a collection of delightful drawings titled ‘Emotions.'”
The wide variety of art included paintings, wood-crafted pieces, photography, quilting, wool felting, sculptures, leatherwork, stained glass and interactive art.
There were four working artists present, sharing their passion for art and explaining the intricacies of how they create their art, she added.
The art show is also unique, in that artists can display for free, and if they make a sale, CCAF does not charge any sort of commission, she said.
“It's just kind of different, because my understanding is other art shows charge to display and a commission, so you get a very eclectic mix.
“It's not really even by invite – we just put feelers out there and advertize, and our ad says show up Friday from 1 to 5 (p.m.) with your artwork, and we'll display it.”
