A near perfect spring day combined with many talented artisans and performers made for another memorable Arts in the Park Festival in Rockglen on June 10.
This is an annual event held on the second Saturday in June at the Rockglen School courtyard and indoors in the gym. Originally conceived as a way to showcase local artistic talent, the event has evolved to include artists and visitors all over the province and beyond. Over 250 people attended the event coming from all over the province and as far away as the Netherlands.
As a very family-friendly festival, Arts in the Park has a no-admission policy as well as free children’s crafts, activities and face painting. The food concession, pancake breakfast and famous Decadent Desserts Social were run by local organizations which had an opportunity to raise funds for worthy causes.
The Knights of Columbus served up hamburgers and hotdogs to raise money for a new tub at the Grasslands Heath Centre. The Wood Mountain Park committee served the desserts to fundraise for painting the pool change room floors with non-slip paint at Wood Mountain Park.
Over the years that the arts festival has been running, there has been an ever-changing assortment of exhibits, demonstrations, presentations, performers, classes and vendors. Each of them demonstrating a different perspective of art, cultures or education. This year the exhibits and vendors included paintings, sculpture, photography, fabric art, woodworking, stained glass, handmade knives, jewellery, quilts, scarves, pottery, refurbished items and a variety of crafts. Also, 18 students participated in a hands-on activity, a class on painting with alcohol ink instructed by artist Rita St. Amant.
Outdoors, a tent was set up for live shows. This year’s entertainment line-up consisted of local singer Kalissa Regier, an engaging vocal performance by young Sophie Kimball at the open mic, chapman stick player Brian Baggett, Francophone musicians Solange and Annette Campagne, Saskatchewan’s 7th poet laureate Brenda Schmidt recited some of her poetry, and a finale with Scott Richmond and band.
Funding assistance came from the Saskatchewan Arts Board and SaskCulture/Saskatchewan Lotteries. “I couldn’t have found a better way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon,” musician Richmond said about the event after his performance, adding, “what an amazing and talented community.”
Arts in the Park provides a new art experience every year. This outstanding event is made possible by the work of a dedicated core of organizers, local businesses and the many much-appreciated volunteers from the community. The Arts in the Park committee is always on the look out for amateur and professional area artists, crafters and performers to participate in the festival.
