Nothing Beats the Winter Blues Like an Opening at the Art Gallery

We are so lucky here in Dawson Creek to have a really active art community.

When my friend told me about the latest show and concert to open at the Grain Elevator Art Gallery I knew it was just the thing to bring some light and warmth and color into the deep days of winter.

We arrived early and from the first moment of opening the door we were wrapped in soft welcoming music. Looking up the spiraling ramp, the walls were hung with bright, colorful portraits, people were just starting to come in, and apparently with the same idea we had for breaking up the winter.

There was a big bowl of punch and a table full of appetizers to enjoy as well and we strolled up to the top of the gallery nibbling, chatting, and enjoying the art. We often stop to look down over the rails to the belly of the gallery below.

We finished our stroll and returned to the center of the gallery to fill our plates with more snacks and take a seat to listen to an intimate concert by a traveling musician. The Art Gallery hosts regular concerts and art exhibits and we try to go them on a regular basis.

Ticket prices are always reasonable and we never fail to enjoy ourselves. It's a small venue and that's what makes it so enjoyable.

It was a wonderful evening.

Nothing Beats the Winter Blues Like an Opening at the Art Gallery

City Wide Spirit Arts Festival

I was one of the many enthusiastic art lovers at the progressive opening for the Spirit Art Festival in Dawson Creek.

It was pretty exciting to see the fliers for the month long city wide festival. The line up includes visual art displays, live performances, workshops and lectures

Many of the businesses downtown are sharing their street front window space with local artists. Several venues will be hosting events. The whole city is alive with art!

The opening began at the local bookstore and made its way to the Alaska Café where we were treated to several readings of poetry by celebrated Canadian Poet Ms. Lorna Crozier. Ms Crozier read several pieces of her work and was accompanied by local musician Andrew Ho on the piano. Her poem "Snow" was especially powerful and evocative for us northern folk.

It was awesome to be back in the Alaska Café, which is now only opened on special occasions.

This promises to be a great month of art!

City Wide Spirit Arts Festival

Kicking Off The Christmas Shopping Season With Style In Dawson Creek

We went to the Art Gallery in Dawson Creek for the annual opening of the Christmas Gift Show and Sale.

The Grain Elevator Gallery is one of the few places in the city that is big enough to house a 15 or so foot Christmas tree, and I learned that each year, the Art Gallery uses all it's decorations from the previous year to decorate trees downtown to be auctioned off as a fund raiser.

The Gallery was bursting at the seams with top-drawer work from artists and artisans from the bottom gift shop and lobby all the way up the spiraling ramps that go to the top.

I saw woodwork, jewelry, pottery, watercolors, stained glass, fiber arts, soaps & lotions, metalwork and Christmas decorations. I checked off much of my gift list for the season.

There were trays of goodies and glasses of punch being served the whole time I was there. At 2 pm a local woman's choir came in to sing Christmas carols for an hour.

This annual event is a favorite for many shoppers whether they live in the community or come in as visitors and it's always well attended. It's more than just going shopping; it's a chance to participate in a celebration of community, art and Christmas. I wouldn't miss it.

Kicking Off The Christmas Shopping Season With Style In Dawson Creek

The Grain Elevator Art Gallery In Dawson Creek

A favorite place to take our out-of-town visitors is the big brown grain elevator Art Gallery right in the heart of the city.

Located in the N.A.R. park which is also the home of the Mile "O" Cairn and the Museum and Visitors Center, the Art Gallery is a must see when you come to visit.

The building itself is a renovated grain elevator that was moved to its present location in 1982 by the City of Dawson Creek with the help and support of a group of dedicated Art Society members to save it from demolition.

When you walk in the front doors, you enter the actual belly of the elevator, where the grain was kept all those years ago. I love the original wooden floor.

A ramp was built that spirals up and around the walls to the top. The walls themselves are the gallery space and you simply stroll along, enjoying the art, going higher and higher. At any time, you can stop and peer over the sturdy railing for a great view of the whole space.

The Gallery also has a great gift shop with lots of local treasures. It's a favorite shopping spot for both locals and visitors looking for something hand crafted and unique.

The back staircase of the building is a gallery within a gallery. It is chock full original photos of the building of the Alaska Highway. Make sure you remember to check it out.

As a side note: there is plenty of RV parking at the N.A.R. park. It's the best place to stop and stretch your legs and explore the city.

The Grain Elevator Art Gallery In Dawson Creek