The best way for the Tri-Cities to renew its arts scene is to include the area's numerous cultural groups, said one of Canada's most respected artistic directors.
Christopher Gaze of Bard on the Beach, the hugely successful Shakespearean festival held each summer in Vancouver, called the Tri-Cities' ethnic mix "sensational" and urged civic and cultural leaders to reflect the diversity at arts events and activities.
"No matter where you live, you have to show the community that you're in," Gaze told The Tri-City News yesterday.
"In the arts, you have to do what you're passionate about but if you can find something that links different people together, then you're on to something really worthwhile that's engaging and enriching.
"And that's what will make the difference in the Tri-Cities: its diverse, rich and cultural population that it's known for is just sensational."
Gaze will be the keynote speaker at this month's first annual regional summit hosted by ArtsConnect, the Tri-Cities' arts council. The day-long event, to be held on Oct. 25 at the Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, will feature dozens of local arts representatives and artists - some of them meeting for the first time - trying to find ways to partner as well as to give the Tri-Cities' arts scene a boost and a clearer direction for ArtsConnect.
"It's a chance for people to make new connections and reconnect," ArtsConnect executive director Helen Daniels said. "It's to take people out of their normal, daily routines, share ideas and get re-energized about what it is we do for a living."
The summit comes three weeks after Port Moody - also known as the City of the Arts - wrapped up its most successful arts festival in three years. It also comes as the city of Coquitlam begins to launch its new tourism strategy and economic development plan, aimed at attracting events, festivals and sporting events.
Besides Gaze, who will open the summit with a 15-minute talk about his favourite topic - Shakespeare - participants will also hear from a panel that will lead a discussion on what it's like to be an artist working in the Tri-Cities. Other speakers and performers scheduled are: Marianne LaRochelle, ArtsConnect president (and a Tri-City News sales rep); Graham Myers of Second Storey Theatre; and Lori Baxter, an arts sector consultant who will talk about connecting with audiences in our backyard.
Graphic illustrator Gay Mitchell will be documenting the event throughout the day and there will be break-out times for participants to brainstorm.
As for Gaze, he said he's pleased to encourage others in the arts world "to fight the good fight with all their might, because the arts is glorious but it's a hard life trying to help animate the world."
Tickets for ArtsConnect's regional arts summit are available until Monday. The Oct. 25 event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Golf Club (771 Austin Ave.) and will be followed by ArtsConnect annual general meeting and reception. To register, visit artsconnectsummit.eventbrite.com. Lunch is provided and a dress code is in effect. For more information, call 604-931-8255 or email [email protected].
