Summer 2024 Culture Activity Guide

CULTURE ACTIVITY GUIDE

3 SUMMER EVENTS

4-6 PROGRAMS

7 OKOTOKS ART GALLERY ON EXHIBIT

8 OKOTOKS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

9 ROTARY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

10 WALKING TOURS

*Please note that all event dates and times are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website at okotoksculture.ca.

FAMILY MUSEUM SCAVENGER HUNT

REGULAR HOURS

Looking for a fun activity for the whole family? Explore current exhibitions in an engaging and accessible way—fun for the whole family!

ART ON THE LAWN @ THE GALLERY

MAY 25

AUGUST 18

SEPTEMBER 14

SUMMER EVENTS

PICNIC AT THE PIANO @ THE GALLERY

WEDNESDAYS

MAY 15 JUNE 19

JULY 17 AUGUST 21

THURSDAY NIGHTS @ THE PLAZA

THURSDAYS

JULY 11

JULY 18

JULY 25 AUGUST 1

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 15

AUGUST 22

AUGUST 29

PARADE & CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL

JUNE 15

NOOKS AND CRANNIES FESTIVAL

JULY 20 TO AUGUST 24

PROGRAMS

Whimsical Paper Puppets: A Creative Crafting Adventure for Kids

Ages 6+

This hands-on workshop seamlessly merges the joy of artistic expression with the thrill of imaginative play.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Sat Jun 1 10 - 11:15 am $25

Course #21888

Additional programs may be offered. Watch for updates on our website and social media!

Toddle Down to the Art Gallery!

Recommended ages 1-5

Come down to the Okotoks Art Gallery for a morning of fun. Experience the exhibitions as your child enjoys a number of activity and crafting stations. Space is limited. Drop-In or Pre-Register.

Okotoks Art Gallery

Sat Jun 8 10 am - 12 pm $5/ family

Course #21889

Parent & Tot Yoga in the Gallery

Parents & children under 5

Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly yoga class for parents & children under 5!

Okotoks Art Gallery

Tue Jul 16 9 - 9:45 am $5

Course #21890

Paint Your Own Ceramic Mug with Yiting Creatives

Ages 8+

In this workshop, participants get to paint and personalize their very own ceramic mugs, transforming functional items into one-of-a-kind works of art that they can proudly use.

Okotoks Art Gallery

Sat Jul 13 10 - 11 am $30

Course #21891

Tapping into Art Journaling for Kids with Yiting Creatives

Ages 6-12

In this hands-on workshop, each kid will put together a personalized journal of their very own. Art journaling is not only a fun and creative activity but also a valuable tool for emotional expression and self-discovery.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Sat Aug 17 10 - 11:15 am $20

Course #21892

Blackwork Tattoo Illustration with Nirvana Needles

Ages 13+

Join local tattoo artist, Sara Gamble of Nirvana Needles, for an exciting class that goes over the fundamentals of modern blackwork tattoo illustration!

Special thanks to Minds Matter for partnering with us to fund this program.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Wed Aug 7, 14, 28 6 - 7:30 pm FREE

Course #21893

OAG Art Club

Join local artist, Christine Walker weekly for an art session with friends! Enjoy time to work on your own art project or develop an idea in watercolour, oil, acrylic, or mixed media and receive help with composition, colours, and techniques. This unique class gives participants the opportunity to explore the art world in a fun and supportive environment. Beginners are welcome.

Rotary Performing Arts Centre

Thurs May 9, 16 23, 30 12 - 3 pm $120

Course #21895

Bold Landscapes with Janifer Calvez

Ages 14+

Janifer Calvez is known for the extraordinary way she captures the beauty of our prairie landscapes in exciting and colourful ways. In this class, you will learn some foundational techniques with acrylic paints in the creation of your very own bold landscape painting. Some supplies included. No experience necessary.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Tue May 14, 21, 28 6:30 - 9 pm $100

Course #21904

Colourful Canines in Acrylics with Ashley Gaboury

Ages 14+

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to paint your four-legged friend; this is the class to take. Join Ashley Gaboury to turn your favorite photo of your pet into a bright and colourful acrylic painting on canvas. Use loose, fluid brushstrokes and textured gels/pastes to develop fur texture and layer colors for a 3-D effect. All supplies included.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Sat Jun 1 12 - 4 pm $85

Course #21886

Watercolour Peonies with Christine Walker

Ages 16+

Local artist Christine Walker will guide participants through the process of painting their very own watercolour peony! No experience necessary All supplies included.

Rotary Performing Arts Centre

Sat Jun 1 10 am - 3 pm $55

Course #21898

Needle-Felted Mushrooms

Ages 14+

Join fibre artist Heather Orton as she walks you through creating a whimsical mushroom sculpture out of raw felt. Supplies included.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Sun Jun 9 10 am - 4 pm $100

Course #21903

Mixed Media Summer Trees with Shirley Hauck

Ages 16+

Join local artist Shirley Hauck and create a summer landscape of your choosing using mixed media, acrylic paint, and acrylic pens. No experience is necessary. Some supplies included.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio

Sat Jul 27 10 am - 4 pm $85

Course #21887

Art for Change with Andrea Merredew

Ages 14+

Do you long to serve the healing of our world in a more powerful and effective way? In this workshop we will engage in a number of creative practices, including writing prompts and mixed media collage. This workshop is for anyone who cares about the world and is interested in exploring creative ways of expressing gratitude, pain and hope in community.

Okotoks Art Gallery Studio Sat Aug 10 12 - 4 pm $50

Course #22037

ON EXHIBIT

OKOTOKS ART GALLERY (OAG)

Mother Tongue/Ehts’o Ket’a

Bruno Canadien

The paintings within this series draw on and celebrate the legacy of Madeline Canadien, Rita Coats, and Mary Elsie Canadien specifically, and other practitioners of Dene and Metis floral artwork generally, in bead work, tufting, embroidery and quillwork.

April 6 - June 22 Large Gallery

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 6 | 1 to 3 pm

RIPE - The Beauty and Privilege of Growing Old

Tanya Zakarow

In this exhibit, Zakarow challenges perceptions and celebrates the profound beauty and privilege of reaching a ‘Ripe Old Age.’ This is more than an exploration of wrinkles and grey hair; it is a celebration of resilience, vitality, and the spirit of the human soul. It is the testament to the inherent beauty found in every stage of life -a reminder that growing old is a privilege bestowed upon the fortunate few.

April 6 - June 22 Small Gallery

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 6 | 1 to 3 pm

Members’ Show & Sale OAG Artists

A summer tradition, this show features original art made exclusively by our local, OAG members. Support your community artists and shop local!

July 6 - September 5 Large Gallery

Colour Your World

Back by popular demand, visit the OAG this summer and try our lifesized colouring pages! Fun for the whole family!

July 6 - September 5 Small Gallery

IMAGE: THE FISHERMAN | TANYA ZAKAROW

OKOTOKS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

Iiksisawaato’p Kainaiwa

O’tookátákssin

The Okotoks Museum and Archives welcomes the travelling exhibit, “Iiksisawaato’p Kainaiwa O’tookátákssin: Maana’pii ki niita’piitsitapii saatstakssin | We Visit with Kainaiwa Beadwork: A New Way and the Real Way of Design.”

Curated by Hali Heavy Shield, Kalli Eagle Speaker and Carol Williams, this exhibit features photographs of traditional Kainai beadwork as well as stories of contemporary Kainai beadworkers. This travelling exhibit is on loan from the Galt Museum, Lethbridge.

June 1 - 29 Second Floor

Little Moccasins

The 2014 documentary film, Little Moccasins, shares the story of St. Joseph’s Residential School, also known as Dunbow Residential School northeast of Okotoks, and honours the children who died and are buried at the school.

Honouring Our Olympians

While the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics are underway in Paris, this exhibit celebrates the homegrown Olympians from the Foothills, past and present.

July 6 - September 14

Rich in Resources

The Okotoks district is rich in natural resources. This exhibit focuses on the lumber, coal, brick and oil industries that helped build our community, and highlights some of the unique characters who worked in those industries. It also honours the 110th anniversary of the discovery of oil in Turner Valley on May 14, 1914, and looks at how that discovery affected the Town of Okotoks.

Until August 31 Second Floor

An End to Prohibition!

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of prohibition in Alberta. On May 10, 1924, Albertans could once again raise a glass and drink a pint after eight long, dry years. This exhibit shows the impact prohibition and the end of prohibition had on Okotoks. This complements the main floor exhibit which focuses on life during the Roaring 20s.

May 1 - July 4 Second Floor

Okotoks Upper and Lower Schools

The Upper School was located up on top of the hill and taught the upper grades and the Lower School was below the hill and taught the lower grades. This exhibit features memories from staff and students of the two schools. Among the treasured artifacts on display are school rings, report cards and autograph albums.

Until August 31

International Museum Day

Learn some fun facts about the museum and enjoy a scavenger hunt.

Sat May 18

120 Years – 120 Reasons

Marking the town’s 120th anniversary of incorporation.

June 1 - 15

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

ROTARY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE (RPAC)

Dewdney Players presents: Hansel and Gretel

Charlotte Chorpenning has taken the Grimm Brothers’ story and given it a poetic beauty that brings a value to its young audience. Her treatment of the stepmother does not accent the cruelty — an outlook important today. The evil witch is portrayed as a comedy character, but the teaching value is there — teaching through a comedy device rather than fear.

Hansel and Gretel’s safe return to their father and mother gives the children a sense of security. Kelly Kozak’s stage adaptation brings Chorpenning’s unique characters to life in a sympathetic and sensitive performance.

Online ticket sales available at okotoksculture.ca

Admission

General $20 in advance $25 at the door

Senior $15 in advance $20 at the door

April 26, 27 May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11

Doors 7 pm Show 7:30 pm

Matinees May 4 & 11

Doors 1:30 pm Show 2 pm

Watch for the 2024-2025 RPAC season coming out this summer!

WALKING TOURS

Wednesday Walkabouts

Join Kathy Coutts of the Okotoks Museum and Archives for free guided tours of Okotoks every Wednesday during the months of July and August. Each week will have a different theme, and will last approximately one hour. Meet at the museum, 49 North Railway Street. Watch social media for weekly themes.

Okotoks Museum & Archives

Every Wed July & August 10 am

Almost Full Moon Tour

Discover what lurks downtown after dark during the annual Full Moon Ghost Walks, hosted by the Okotoks Museum and Archives and the Okotoks and District Historical Society. Three tour times are available each night. Tickets are required in advance and will go on sale July 13. Online ticket sales available through Showpass at okotoksculture.ca

Okotoks Museum & Archives

Sat Aug 17 After Dark

$5 + GST/ Ticketing Fees

Exploring Blackfoot Art History with Jared Tailfeathers

Did you know that the Big Rock is not only an important cultural place, but an art gallery with 11 separate and specific paint sites? Join multidisciplinary artist Jared Tailfeathers for an informative talk on the history of Blackfoot Art in the foothills with a special focus on the Okotoks Erratic.

We gratefully acknowledge the Okotoks and District Historical Society’s support to fund this program.

Meet at the Big Rock

Wed Jun 5 6:30 - 8 pm FREE Email culture@okotoks.ca to register.

Nooks & Crannies Festival

The Nooks & Crannies Festival of Recycled Art is a wonderful opportunity to explore Okotoks’ beautiful downtown core while seeing some innovative works of art tucked into all sorts of forgotten spaces.

Adult Tour

On this guided walking tour, you will enjoy a look at each of the projects on display, and hear some behindthe-scenes tidbits and explanations on each work of art. The tour will end at a perfect local spot to grab dinner! Spots are limited; PreRegistration is recommended.

Meet at Okotoks Art Gallery

Fri Aug 9 6 - 7 pm FREE Course #22028

Family Tour

On this interactive walking tour, you will enjoy a look at each of the projects on display, and children will enjoy a special scavenger hunt made just for this tour. The tour will end at a perfect local spot to grab lunch! Spots are limited; Pre-Registration is recommended (Only 1 registration required / family).

Meet at Okotoks Art Gallery

Sat Aug 10 10 - 11 am FREE Course #22029

JUNE

SUMMER AT A GLANCE Have an Event Idea?

Okotoks is taking a significant step towards enhancing its arts and culture scene with the launch of the Arts and Culture Activation Grant. This initiative is designed to promote arts and culture activity, encourage visitation, and provide vital funding for arts development and artists in our town.

The Arts and Culture Activation Grant is set to support the creation of new evening and weekend arts and culture events, activities, and programs.

The grant will stay open until all the funds are distributed. LEARN MORE AND APPLY Okotoks.ca/Arts_and_Culture_Activation_Grant.

PROGRAM Page 4-6 EXHIBIT Page 7-8 WALKING TOUR Page 10

PICNIC AT THE PIANO Page 3

ART ON THE LAWN Page 3

THURSDAY NIGHTS @ THE PLAZA Page 3

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