Local artists and artisans will get the chance to display and sell their wares in businesses around Merritt in this summer’s first annual ArtWALK.
The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council (NVCAC) is now accepting applications from area artists for a spot in the show and sale. NVCAC President Chelsea Werrun said the group had three artists confirmed by press time and is looking for about a dozen more. Werrun said the NVCAC will take applications from artists in all media, including jewelry and crafts, to get an accurate cross-section of the variety of art forms present in the Nicola Valley.
Applying artists must be practicing professionals.
“It’s all about raising the profile of local artists because we do have really amazing artists in this valley, as well as encouraging more community partnerships and collaborations,” Werrun said.
One of those collaborations is with the Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce, which approached the arts council to recruit artists while the chamber recruits local businesses to host the artists.
Chamber manager Etelka Gillespie said that side of things is in its beginning stages as well, and that the chamber will begin reaching out to businesses this week. Gillespie said Merritt’s art walk is modelled after the Williams Lake version, which she was involved in a number of years ago.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s something I’ve never had the real opportunity to do because the partnerships weren’t there,” she said.
Gillespie said the chamber is hoping to work with all types of businesses around the city, and is working out events to take place on the weekends.
The art walk will also have a passport with a map of the participating businesses, and a stamp from each business will earn the passport holder a chance to win prizes.
Gillespie said the chamber is also looking at dressing up vacant properties with art and murals.
Art walks are a popular community event in many cities throughout Canada that pair local artists with businesses to show and sell their pieces to people outside of the traditional gallery format.
This will be Merritt’s first art walk since the early 2000s, Gillespie said.
The city-wide event kicks off on July 1 at Rotary Park with receptions at participating locations and runs until August 5.
“I’m just really excited that we’ll have this event kicking off this year, and we’re so looking forward to showcases the artisans of the Nicola Valley,” Gillespie said.
