Submitted
Cranbrook and District Arts Council (CDAC) celebrated the 2013 Columbia Basin Culture Tour Aug. 10 and 11.
To celebrate the Columbia Basin Culture Tour, where museums, galleries and artists open their studios to the public for free, the CDAC extended its opening hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Over the weekend, visitors to the gallery contributed to the interactive exhibit 'Protodoe'. Part of the ongoing Urban Artsy Deer project, 'Protodoe' is the CDAC's very own contribution to the project. Not only that, she was the first deer cut for the cause, hence the 'Proto' in 'Protodoe'. Despite the mechanical name, visitors to the gallery embraced 'Protodoe's' feminine side by decorating her using paper, paint markers, oil pastels, crayons and glue to give her lady-like flourishes, including dangly earrings and a floral bouquet.
Visitors to the gallery were treated to free nibbles and refreshments. After all, decorating such a fashionable doe takes a lot out of a creative spirit.
CDAC president and artist Mitchell Pocha brought a work-in-progress to the gallery space to work on throughout the day. He invited young and old art enthusiasts alike to help contribute to his polymer sculpture and answered questions about his tools and process.
Thank you to all the visitors who visited the gallery over the weekend of the tour and contributed to 'Protodoe', who will continue to be added to in the CDAC gallery space up until Art in the Park. You will be able to see the collaborative effort in Rotary Park on August 24; she's anxious to see who will win best in show!
Currently there are a few doe left to purchase and decorate from the CDAC office if you would still like to be in the running for a chance to win a prize. Completed deer must find their way to Rotary Park before 1 p.m. on August 24 in order to be eligible for judging, so don't miss your chance.
Deer Quest forms are also still available from the office. You still have time to try and find all of the registered deer in Cranbrook in the shortest space of time for the chance to win $50 and bragging rights.
Contact Helen Duckworth at the arts council at 250-426-4223 or email cdac@shaw.ca.