Expect to find a "crafter's haven" this weekend when the Artwaves West show takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 at Olds College and the Pomeroy Inn & Suites.
Event manager Audrey DeJong has been organizing Artwaves West for about 20 years across the country but this is the first time it will have come to Olds.
The event includes a trade show that will be open from Friday to Saturday in the Pomeroy ballroom, featuring more than 20 vendors selling arts and craft supplies. They may also be doing demonstrations. Admission is $5.
Visitors can also take various classes during the first two days, each lasting an hour long, at $20 each.
Workshops will also be held at the Pomeroy and the Land Sciences Building, taught by local and visiting artists, covering media like oils, acrylics, watercolours, sketching, paper art and jewelry.
"There's just so much to do. You could definitely come for the whole day and take part in some of these classes, some of the demonstrations, shop in the booths. It's a great opportunity for the area," DeJong said.
Three of the teachers will be local: Diana Steer, specializing in wax painting; Bill Anthony, in stained glass; and Dee Poisson, in coloured pencils.
DeJong said Artwaves West has alternated between Calgary and Edmonton over the years. She brought the show to Olds to give the college and Pomeroy facilities a try.
"We do hope it will be successful and if it is, we definitely will be back in Olds because we really like the situation there between the college and the hotel and the support of the community," she said.
"We do hope it will be successful and if it is, we definitely will be back in Olds because we really like the situation there between the college and the hotel and the support of the community." AUDREY DeJONG EVENT MANAGER
