Art in the Park this year will be held at McGregor Park on August 16-17, and introduces activities that will engage the children, allowing the adults to view the art.
This year, Sooke’s Art in the Park group is trying something new. In order to free up the parents who want to look at the art, there will be a number of activities to engage the children while the parents peruse.
“We’re trying to get a few extra games, including a dunk tank,” said Fiona Phythian this year’s event coordinator. “We’re also trying to get a mural going.” There will also be a number of different activities, for kids of all ages.
The performance schedule begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday with Rock Legacy, and continues through until 5 p.m. with the Blue Tattoo Blues Band. Saturday’s performances include Children’s Story Yoga which runs from 2-2:30 p.m.
Sunday performances begin at 10:30 with some Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi, and run through to 5 p.m. closing with Revolver 3 - Yvonne Cabot. If Tai Chi isn’t your thing, there will also be karate, and belly dancing. The full performance schedule — which, Phythian points out, has been diligently organized by Carol Cave — can be seen online at http://sookecommunityarts.com/events/
Then, of course, there will be the exhibition and sale of original art — paintings, pottery, mixed media art, jewellery, photography and more.
“It’s for local people to see local artists,” said Phythian, stating there was equal emphasis on the stage as there was to the exhibits. And now, with child-centric activities, parents will be free(er) to take their time and take in the wide range of inspiration at the event.
Art in the park will also be introducing a new feature, an Artists’ Pavilion. According to their website, “Local artists will be able to showcase one to three of their works in a ‘gallery’ setting at Art in the Park in Ed Macgregor Park. The ‘gallery’ will be housed in one of our beautiful white tents in the centre of the show and will be manned by one or more of the exhibiting artists during the two days, August 16th and 17th.”
The price of admission is also appealing. It’s free.
And while Art in the Park is just a few days away, there may still be openings for artists who are interested in displaying — and possibly selling — their work at this event. For information, contact Fiona Phythian by email, fiona.p@telus.net. More information is online at http://sookecommunityarts.com/artist-calls/