The arts in Drumheller are certainly something to celebrate, and this weekend that is just what the community will be doing.
As part of Alberta Arts Days, downtown Drumheller will be alive with the creativity that makes the community strong. According to Mike Todor, downtown businessman and member of the Canadian Badlands Artists Association, the event is being held in the spirit of cooperation.
“I think it is going to be a lot of fun and really exciting. We have never had this many artists work together on a project like this before,” said Todor.
Partners in the event include The Canadian Badlands Passion Play, Downtown Drumheller, the East Coulee School Museum and the Canadian Badlands Artists Association. The conglomeration was able to secure a grant for the celebration and according to Todor, that means the events will be free of charge.
On Friday night, the East Coulee School Museum will be alive with music as local acts, Roadside Attractions and the Fire Coulee Bandits will be onstage. Concession is in support of the East Coulee School Museum.
On Saturday, downtown will be alive with the arts. Music throughout the day will be provided by the Lannigan Band, The Yelping Coyotes and Hoodoo Voodoo. Dancers from Carol Todor’s Dance School and Kaleidoscope Theatre will also be onstage.
The Canadian Badlands Artists Association will have strong presence in the core. It will be operating a photo booth and will have a space for kids to create their own works of art with sidewalk chalk. They will be hosting photography and painting demonstrations. Other artisans and art groups will also be displaying their works.
The weekly Farmers' Market will also be downtown during Arts Days from 1 – 4 p.m. The library will have a gallery and the night will cap off with a screening of Unforgiven at the Napier Theatre.
The spirit of the arts community is alive and flourishing in Drumheller, and is playing a role in defining downtown.
“There are three galleries, a galleria and a recording studio in downtown. There is another artist looking to set up a workshop,” said Todor. “Soon we are going to see people coming to Drumheller to buy art, and it is going to make a tremendous difference to everyone's businesses.”
