Call for arts participation for September events

One the things that really impressed me about Cochrane when I first came here over 30 years ago was the variety and quality of the arts that I soon discovered. It didn’t take long after I started Cochrane Arts (now CIAS) last fall to realize that we are still that amazing community with all these amazing and wonderful arts to enjoy and experience. It’s my hope and goal that we as CIAS can introduce you to more and more of that great arts culture over the next months and years. One of the things we are working on is our inaugural event for the Alberta Culture Days weekend at the end of September – Saturday, Sept. 29 from 2 p.m. to 5 pm. We’re calling it the Kickstart Party and our goal is…

• to let Cochrane come and see some the wealth of arts we have here
• to have Cochrane and area come and meet some of our wonderful artists
• to introduce CIAS – Cochrane Integrated Arts Society – to the community

So I’m extending an invitation/call out to the artists, the businesses and the community of Cochrane to come and participate in this event. Artists – we have several ways that you could be involved.

• Be willing to bring an example of the work you do to be part of our showcase display for that event.

• You could also send us photos of your work to be part of a photo display, so that Cochrane can see the wide range and value of the work being done here.

• Get involved in our Passport Program, where people can come to your business or studio to see your work and visit with you. This can be any time during business hours on Friday or Saturday, Sep 28 and 29. We will be having a special draw at the end of the event on Saturday. By the way, if you would like to be part of that, but don’t have a studio or place to invite people to, why not see if there is a business that might like to partner with you. And if you own a business and would like to support the arts, would you be willing to host an artist or even several to do displays or demos at your business? If yes, please let me know.

• Come during the event to be part of our Fall Arts Social, where you can meet up with others artists and also where the community can get to meet you.

Businesses – Arts businesses or otherwise

• We invite you to be part of the Passport Program listed above. If you would like to support the arts, then consider making a space in your business for a period of time during the Friday or Saturday business hours. Your business name as well as that of the artists you would host would be included on our Passport.

• Since CIAS has just recently been incorporated as a society, we could use some help with funding, donations and sponsorships. We have a list on our website with details, and those who do support us would have their business names included on our promotional materials.

Cochrane Community

• You’re invited to our Kickstart Party! Come and see what an amazing arts community you have hiding here! Come meet your local artists and see the showcase display and the photo display at the Cochrane Clubhouse Activity Centre at the Cochrane Ranche any time between 2:00 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. There will be a short opening ceremony at 2 p.m. and then we’re open to mix and mingle and have a great party! Munchies and drinks will be available.

• Get involved in our Passport Program where you get to see artists with their work or maybe even doing demos. Talk to them and get to know them. This will be open during business hours on Friday and Saturday of that weekend. Details about where to pick up your passports will be coming soon.

• Join us for our Fall Arts Social – which will be part of the event at the Clubhouse Activity Centre at the Cochrane Ranche. Enjoy live music, great art and get to mix and mingle with our local artists.

If you would like to be part of this, or want more details – please contact me at: [email protected] or 403-510-9091.