This weekend, check out the Arts and Culture Foundation of Cochrane’s (ACFC) three-day art festival, a weekend of music, performance and visual artistry.
Serving as a link between the Cochrane community and the area’s talented pool of artists, the Cochrane Culture Days Festival is set to run from the afternoon of Sept. 27 to Sept. 29.
“Arts and culture are the heart of any community and Cochrane has such a vibrant art scene,” said Sandy Johnson, a member of ACFC. “We need to celebrate art in Cochrane.”
Johnson said this year’s festival has tightened up a bit, keeping the artists closer together. Artists will spread down Third Avenue, set up shop in the tent in the Rexall Drug store parking lot, and display their wares around Centennial Plaza.
“Artists create wherever they have the space — often it’s in a studio away from others,” she added. “By putting the displays closer together, we’re not only bringing together the community, but the artists as well.”
Centennial Plaza will serve as the stage for a number of musical acts, including performances from Katie Rox Sept. 27, the Nakoda Cochrane Pickin’ Party on Sept. 28 (2-4:30 p.m.) and the Riverside Jazz Band Sept. 29 (1-2 p.m.).
A variety of different works will be on display — and for sale — over the course of the weekend. Local talent is set to include artwork in all sizes and forms — photography; oil, watercolour and acrylic paintings; jewelry, mixed media, even repurposed furniture.
The extensive list of artists includes Jeff Mackenzie, Glen Boles, Creative Windmill Photography, Roland Rollinmud and the Saffron Collective.
Festivalgoers should make sure to pack up the kids — a children’s interactive art area will be set up near the Big Artist Tent Sept. 29.
The action on Sept. 27 is set to run in the noon hour, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Centennial Plaza Stage. The Cochrane Culture Days Festival gets underway Sept. 28-29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will go on, rain or shine.
For more information on the ACFC and the Cochrane Culture Days Festival, visit artscochrane.ca.
