Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Report

Transcription

1 Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Report For the Peace River Regional District Presenters: Sue Popesku, President and Donna Kane, Executive Director Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Highlights of 2017 Planning Meetings Meet every two months in a different member community on a rotating basis: Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge. The Annual General Meeting is scheduled for January 27, 2018 in Dawson Creek Many planning meetings, mini events, and music stages were held to promote and execute the projects for the 75 th Celebration of the Alaska Highway in

2 Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Highlights of 2017 Mentoring Arts Councils Fort Nelson trained in organizing the Regional Juried Show in Dawson Creek in preparation for the 2018 Juried Show in their community. Communications with Chetwynd Arts Council on their Board turnover and governance. Creative signs in Dawson Creek Inclusion of all artists, song writers, poets and dancers in presenting and performing the Alaska Highway programs and projects throughout the NE regions. Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Highlights of 2017 Leadership and Community Development Assistance Annual assistance ($400) to each arts council for professional development. Five representatives from the NE region went to the Arts BC Conference in Tofino this year with the help of this assistance. Encouragement to attend Northern Exposure Conference in Wells, Arts BC Conferences, BC Touring Pacific Contact, BC Museums Association, and the Alaska Highway Community Initiative. Development assistance to regional, art related groups and projects such as Regional Theatre Festival, Fort Nelson Literacy Society, Northern Trails Heritage Society and original production of the Alcan Craze of 42. 2

3 Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Highlights of 2017 Author Lawrence Hill While researching for his new book on the African American Soldiers Who Built the Alaska Highway, author Lawrence Hill gave readings in DC, FSJ, FN organized by the PLRAC. PLRAC Website Success Social media tools now reach over 1500 people. Story features have created new audiences. Current programs have attracted recognition from provincial and national arts and heritage institutions. Amonthly newsletter introduced through Mail Chimp is reaching over 100 subscribers so far. Website: Facebook: Under the influence of the PLRAC, Community Arts Councils initiated creative projects to celebrate the Alaska Highway 75 th Anniversary. Potters stepped up to the occasion. An original play Alcan Craze of 42 was written and produced. The Regional Airport featured the 75 th on their art wall. 100 Street Banners lined 100 St in Fort St. John. 3

4 2017 Projects for the 75 th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway Songwriter Dori Braun performed her winning CD song at many venues. PROJECT #1 The Alaska Highway Songs CD Is a Success 1000 copies sold and still selling Songwriter Randy Jorgenson was one of many who sang at the Bright Nights in June. PROJECT #1 Many organizers of events requested the winners of the Alaska Highway CD Songs to perform. The line up of Alaska Highway Songs from the CD at the Fort Nelson Trade Show. The Fort Nelson Trade Show Sweetwater 905 (Rolla) Alaska Highway News featured all CD artists Alaska Highway Road Show (FSJ) The Unveiling of the Trencher (DC) Bright Night in June (FSJ) Hospital Foundation Gala (FSJ) Lydia Hibbing (PLRAC Vice Pres) and James Grand Opening of Pioneer Village (DC) Mannion emceed the Main Stage at the Fort Lawrence Reading Hill (DC) Nelson Trade Show. 4

5 2017 Projects for the 75 th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway PROJECT #2 Heritage Networking The Northern Trails Heritage Society was successfully established bringing together all the museums and heritage collections (open to the public) together to further heritage awareness, preservation and research in Northeast BC. The PLRAC will continue to partner with the NTHS in programs and project concerning history and heritage. 10,000 copies of the first Auto Tour Circle Guide in Northeast BC was distributed throughout the region and beyond for visitors and residents. The Public Art Sculpture Emergence. Stories of fear, wonder, excitement, and change are depicted by the indigenous and pioneer designs artfully woven into metal of a trencher that built the highway. Emergence the new growing out of the old. The trencher was transformed into a work of art never attempted before by artists Adrienne Greyeyes, Karl and Emilie Mattson and Brian Jungen, along with many regional artists. 5

6 NB-4 PROJECT #3 The Public Art Sculpture The Trencher. PROJECT #4 Alaska Highway Road Show Toured From Edmonton to Whitehorse They caught the eye of the Yukon Travel magazine. AND will perform 2 shows at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa (Nov 25/26). FORT NELSON S OWN Allyson Tubman Author Bill Dolan Musician Kathy Jessup Storyteller Website: Tour Contact: Kathy Jessup Phone: kathyjessup@hotmail.com 2017 Alaska Highway Road Show 6

7 2017 Projects for the 75 th Anniversary of the Alaska Highway PROJECT # Peace Liard Regional Juried Exhibition Dawson Creek Art Gallery Permanent Artwork Select for the PRRD Collection: Lil Cowboy by Carla Hauber 186 entries is a record in the 35 years of the Juried Show Additional Funds Leveraged For Alaska Highway Projects $ in cash And $39,000 In kind For the Alaska Highway Roadshow Total Addition Funds: $9500 For the Public Arts Sculpture (The Trencher) Total Additional Funds: $ For the Theme Song CD Total Additional Funds: $8000 For the Auto Tour Total Additional Funds:

8 Peace Liard Regional Arts Council Focus for 2018 STRENGTHEN LITERARY OPPORTUNITIES Provide learning experiences for writers in the region including songwriters, poets, storytellers and authors. Collaborate and cooperate with all Public Libraries in regional in sharing author tours. Organize an annual writing festival Words North that will circulate throughout the region on the same model as the Regional Juried Exhibition. Identify potential local writers, storytellers, poets and songwriters to participate in local readings, discussion, workshops. PARTNER WITH NORTHERN TRAILS HERITAGE SOCIETY Continue heritage development and awareness. Support the research programs and projects of museums in the region. ENCOURAGE MORE INDIGENOUS ARTISTS TO PARTICIPATE CONTINUE THE REGIONAL JURIED SHOW MENTOR REGIONAL ARTS GROUPS AND COMMUNITY ARTS COUNCIL We look forward to 2018 in continuing new partnerships with Indigenous artists and writers, Northern Trails Heritage Society and connections with the Royal BC Museum, the BC Museums Association, McLean Foundation and Canada Council. The new initiatives in the Literary Genre with workshops, author tours and a writers festival, Words North, will engage more people in arts, culture and heritage in the region. The Board of Directors of the PLRAC would like to thank you for your continued support of Arts, Culture and Heritage in the Peace River Region. The Board of Directors: President Sue Popesku (FSJ), Vice President Lydia Hibbing (TR), Treasurer Pauline Casselman (DC), Secretary Kit Fast (DC); Executive Director Donna Kane (Rolla). Member Arts Councils: Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Tumbler Ridge with affiliated communities of Taylor, Hudson s Hope, Rolla, Pouce Coupe, Charlie Lake, Farmington, Goodlow, Clearview, Montney and Clayhurst. 8