Art is in our heart

Lake Country is home to numerous artists, a brand new public art gallery and a well-established private gallery. The greatest annual art exhibit and sale in the BC interior takes place here on the second weekend of September --- called ArtWalk, it is in its 18^th year and hosts more than 250 artists and craftspeople. 

Every day, all year long, visitors and residents alike can enjoy public art displayed on Main Street North such as the clock sculpture that marked Lake Country’s 10^th anniversary, and the irrigation waterfall. Public art can also be found in numerous parks and in front of the District of Lake Country office.

Lovers of arts will thrill to a tour of the side roads of our lovely community, where they can find numerous welcoming art galleries and studios. The Barn Gallery is a premiere private gallery, easily accessed off Oyama Road, open from the May long weekend through Thanksgiving, Friday to Sunday. In addition to the new public Lake Country Art Gallery, there are several working studio/galleries in the District. For instance, every August long weekend a group of artists co-host an annual Carr’s Landing art tour. Local artists include Ramona Swift of Swiftfox Studio (ph 250-766-0335); and Chris Malmkvist Art Studio/Gallery (250-766-4459.)

Craftspeople blossom here, too, including award-winning fibre artist Darlene Homenchuk at Oyama Lake Alpaca Farm, whose working studio is open “by appointment or chance.”

The performing arts also thrive in Lake Country. Musicians perform in our parks every summer weekend during the Open Air concert series; and the community is served by two dance schools, DreaMotion (phone 250-766-1000) and Lake Country School of Dance, a competitive studio with summer dance camps. There is also A Voice for All Occasions  (phone 250-766-5594) providing vocals in and around town, the Lake Country Orchestra and the Lake Country Big Band.

The Creekside Theatre is a delightful 250-seat theatre in the modern Lake Country Community Complex (10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road). Named for Vernon Creek that runs behind the complex, Creekside is a busy place year-round, providing a home to theatre and performing arts group in Lake Country and a host venue for dozens of renowned travelling productions. The theatre itself is comfortable, intimate and air-conditioned  --- a great place to stop and watch a show of your choosing.

This summer of 2010, "Ignite the Passion" takes place at Creekside Theatre August 1-7 --- it is an arts educational workshop and gala for youth, hosted by the Summer Arts Scene for Youth.