Open Sky celebrates 15 years
Workshops, vendors and artists galore at annual summer festival in Fort Simpson
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 2, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Open Sky Society is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a two-day festival on July 11 and 12.
The Open Sky Creative Society is looking for artists and vendors for its summer festival in Fort Simpson July 11 and 12. The organization is celebrating its 15th year. - photo courtesy of the Open Sky Creative Society
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The festival will take place at the Fort Simpson Arbor and will feature art workshops and demos, dances and a community feast.
Anyes Dimsdale, executive director for the society, said the festival is currently on the search for volunteers to help out during any of the scheduled events.
"Volunteers are really the core of these events. Without volunteers, they don't happen," Dimsdale said.
"We really appreciate any help we can get. Fort Simpson is always great for that."
Workshops will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include sessions on stained glass, pressing flowers in glass, mosaics, birch bark basket-making, felting, and silver-wire jewelry.
There will also be art demonstrations of painting, metal-smithing, watercolour and illustration, and sealskin crafting.
Diane Boudreau will be holding a workshop for painting on panels, a continuation of vegetable garden panels she did last fall during the 2014 festival.
Dimsdale said last year, Open Sky went through a transition and it took some time to get the society back on its feet. Instead of its traditional summer festival, it held an autumn festival in collaboration with the Fort Simpson Community Garden Society. Now, the society is getting back to its normal system.
"This year, we picked what was most popular out of the things we've done. We're doing what we do best," Dimsdale said.
"We're looking at it more like a birthday party, with a celebratory theme."
At the gallery, Joseph Purcell's "Gone Fishing in the Dehcho" will be on display.
A community feast is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday and will be followed by a family fiddle dance at the Arbor.
Later that evening, an adult community dance will take place at the Recreation Centre, featuring live band Shane Daniels and the Usual Suspects.
Dimsdale said all food and craft vendors are welcome and tables are available for $20 each. Vendors can call in advance to book a table. Booths will also be available for people to use at $20 each, but will be free for kids who want to run lemonade stands or similar booths.
There will also be a 50/50 draw on Sunday, as well as a silent auction as a fundraiser for Open Sky.
Anyone wanting to volunteer their time can leave a message at the Open Sky gallery for Malorey Nirlungayuk, who is this year's volunteer co-ordinator.
