Nearly 100 artists, museums, art galleries, heritage sites and more will open their doors to the public—for free—during the Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Located in communities and rural areas throughout the Columbia Basin, the 16th annual tour takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11, 2024.
Fernie’s Eye of the Needle and Fernie Forge sells fibre art and forged metalwork made by blacksmith and felt-maker Sandra Barrett, as well as glass, metalwork, felted vests and hats created by other artisans. Sandra will demonstrate felting samples of different breeds of Canadian sheep in her working studio during the Culture Tour, including an explanation of materials used and wet-felting techniques. Her studio and gallery is located in the former Salvation Army Church, a yellow brick heritage building in downtown Fernie (location here) . Knitting yarn processed from local breeds of sheep, spun and dyed locally, will also be available to purchase, together with square knitting needles and crochet hooks designed and made in Canada to help knitters and crocheters with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome continue with their passion.
“The people in this region are immensely creative, and it’s always a thrill to see the fruits of their amazing talents,” said Kallee Lins, Executive Director of the West Kootenay Regional Arts Council, which organizes the event. “Through the Culture Tour, the public gets to interact with individual artists and others involved in arts, culture and heritage in unique ways, enjoy special events, discover impressive artistic pieces, and maybe head home with a cherished item or two.”
A project of the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, the Columbia Basin Culture Tour is supported by Columbia Basin Trust, with additional support provided by Nelson and Kootenay Lake Tourism and the Province of British Columbia.
With exhibitions, artwork displays, creative-process demonstrations and performances, there is something new to experience at each venue. The tour is self-guided and suitable for all ages. See the regional participants here.
“I love this event every year!” declares a past participant. “I always discover at least one new-to-me amazing artist.”
Another past participant states, “I have been attending the Culture Tour for more than 10 years and have always enjoyed it.”
To learn more about the Culture Tour, discover the venues and view a map of locations, visit cbculturetour.com. Printed copies of the Columbia Basin Culture Tour directory are also available around the region in locations like art galleries, visitors’ centres, chambers of commerce, hotels and cafés.
