West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

Waking Up The Park
2025-08-09 10:00 - 2025-08-10 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Vallican Whole Community Centre, 3762 Little Slocan South Road, Vallican, British Columbia, V0G2J0, Canada
Join us at the Vallican Whole on the weekend of August 9 – 10 to celebrate the re-opening of the Sculpture Park. Originally opened in 2010, the park has been quietly slumbering until this year, when some of our best local artists have installed new wonderful sculptures to awaken it.
Come walk the forest pathways and discover the magical visions and presences, and visit the indoor gallery where there will be a new show by local artists for the duration of the weekend. Take part in art making workshops for all ages – a hands-on opportunity to use natural and recycled materials creatively. On Sunday, enjoy music by the duo Tunupa The Cosmic Gardeners (Eva Tree and Bill Dickerson) between 1 and 3 pm, and a barbecue from 12 to 2pm.
This is a FREE event, sponsored by the Columbia Basin Culture Tour. Sculpture park and gallery will be open 10 – 4 both days. See you there!

Saturday Bunker tours
2025-08-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-27 11:00 - 12:00 and 2 more dates | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
During the height of the Cold War, in the 1950s and 1960s, nearly 50 bunkers were constructed across Canada. In 2017, the Nelson Museum began work on restoring the space and opening it to the public. You can join a tour of one of the Museumʼs best-loved spaces!

From iodine pills and Geiger counters to board games and ashtrays, visitors get a glimpse of the vast measures taken to create normalcy in an extraordinary time.

Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free! (https://form-can.keela.co/bunker-tours)

Valhalla Wilderness Society Film Screening – Safe Haven
2025-08-12 19:00 - 20:30 | North Shore Hall, 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson, BC, V1L 6H7, Canada
All are invited to a screening of Damien Gillis and Valhalla Wilderness Society’s new film, Safe Haven: The Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness. The 30 minute film will be followed by a presentation by Valhalla Wilderness Society biologist and campaigner Amber Peters, including stunning photography from 25 years of research in British Columbia’s inland temperate rainforest.
North Shore Hall – 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson, BC V1L 6H7.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Film starts at 7pm.
Admission by donation.
This event is being hosted by the Valhalla Wilderness Society. The Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness proposal was designed to protect a globally significant Inland Temperate Rainforest near Revelstoke, BC. Since 2017 Valhalla Wilderness Society has studied the incredible biodiversity of this intact wilderness area that was previously unknown to science. Two years of filming in the proposal’s ancient forest led to the creation of Safe Haven. The film is a call to action for British Columbians to support the campaign to protect three remaining biodiversity havens of the inland temperate rainforest.
Contact info (at) vws.org for more information.
Please spread the word and come show your support!

Wednesday Bunker Tours
2025-08-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-01 13:00 - 14:00 and 1 more date | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
During the height of the Cold War, in the 1950s and 1960s, nearly 50 bunkers were constructed across Canada. In 2017, the Nelson Museum began work on restoring the space and opening it to the public. You can join a tour of one of the Museumʼs best-loved spaces!

From iodine pills and Geiger counters to board games and ashtrays, visitors get a glimpse of the vast measures taken to create normalcy in an extraordinary time.

Wednesday Bunker tours run seasonally from June to September. Saturday Bunker tours are offered year-round. Click on the link to register. Adult admission required – children under 19 are always free!

Trans Canada Lego Model Club at the Revelstoke Railway Museum
2025-08-15 09:00 - 2025-08-17 18:00 | Revelstoke Railway Museum, 719 Track St W, Revelstoke, V0E 2S0
TCLTC are a group of Lego and train enthusiasts who enjoy creating realistic models and scenes with the iconic building blocks. The displays are punctuated by fun tongue-in-cheek vignettes featuring Lego mini-figures in historical or pop culture moments.
The project for Revelstoke will include an operating Lego train display, and we anticipate including a railway yard, beachfront activities, a mountain pass, and a town including a station, resort and shopping district

Any Body Can Sing on Soul’s Paradise Beach
2025-08-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Soul’s Paradise, 16961 Pilot Bay Road, Kootenay Bay, BC, Canada
Explore your voice Vocal Technique Play Games Sing with others Learn a group song Gain knowledge on vocal health.

Nelson Pride
2025-08-29 - 2025-08-31 | BC
Visit https://nelsonpride.ca/pride-calendar/ to see all the events, including the Pride parade and Pride in the Park.

Tea & Textiles
2025-09-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-01 09:00 - 12:00 | J.B. Fletcher Store Museum, 3602 Sutton Street, Ainsworth, BC, V0G 1A0, Canada
The J.B. Fletcher Museum in Ainsworth will be hosting gatherings for fibre enthusiasts and tea lovers to come and work on their knitting, crochet, embroidery, and spinning projects while connecting with fellow crafters. These gatherings will occur the first Wednesday of every month from 9-12. Drop ins welcome.

Ed Fest
2025-09-05 - 2025-09-06 | Rotary Park Cranbrook, Cranbrook
Ed Fest Arts & Music Festival is a two-day free to attend celebration of creativity and expression held at Rotary Park on September 5th and 6th, offering an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
The festival boasts a dynamic lineup, including musical performances. In addition to musical acts, there will be interactive art installations, and a mesmerizing lantern parade. Did we mention food trucks and beer?
The festival features workshops and an art competition organized by Cranbrook Arts. An artisan market, in collaboration with the Cranbrook Farmer’s Market, will offer local crafts and goods, providing a perfect spot to discover unique items and support local artisans.
This year’s festival embraces the whimsical history of Ed the elephant, who famously escaped from a traveling circus in Cranbrook nearly a century ago. Festivities will include a downtown “stampede” with a large puppet of Ed, and attendees are encouraged to wear carnival-themed costumes to join in the fun.
Whether you are an art enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a family-friendly event, Ed Fest 2025 promises something for everyone.
Mark your calendars for September 5th and 6th at Rotary Park, Cranbrook, and join the celebration of community and creativity.
Learn more: https://www.edfest.ca/

Creston Fall Fair Sept 5 and 6, 2025
2025-09-05 - 2025-09-06 | Creston Flats Stables, 633 Indian Road, Creston, BC
Creston’s Fall Fair is hosting an Artisan’s Alley as well as Horse events this year.
Mahood Sculptures is among the many Kootenay Artists who will be
showing their art and speaking to people.
Creston Valley Fall Fair runs Friday, Sept 5th from 10 am to 9 pm.
Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
tickets are $ 10

Botanical Printing on cloth w/Tracy Fillion
2025-09-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Learn the fundamentals of botanical printing on fabric. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore how to identify suitable fibres for plant dyeing and how to properly prepare cloth for plant dyeing and eco printing.
We will also discuss dye plants, ethical harvesting practices, and working in harmony with seasonal and local materials.
Using locally grown flowers, each participant will have the opportunity to design and create their own botanically printed cotton bandana to take home.
free to attend
registration required
all materials provided
[max. 20 students per workshop]

REGISTER: https://oxygenartcentre.org/seed-bombs-event-1-w-tracy-fillion/

Beading Space with West Kootenay Metis Society
2025-09-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, 502 Vernon Street, Nelson, V1L 4E7, Canada
4th Thursday and Saturday
Beading Space
FNMI relatives are invited to join us the 4th Thursday and Saturday of the month
NMAG at 502 Vernon
Summer hours –
Thursday July 24 5:30- 7:30pm
Saturday July 26 2-4pm
Theme- Blueberry pin kits

Thursday August 28 5:30- 7:30pm
Saturday August 30 2-4pm
Theme -Orange Shirt pins
Cost is free. Supplies included. Light snack provided. Beginner kits available. Intermediate and advanced welcome to bring own project.
Beginner kits are:
a simple leather thimble.
Basic and based on the theme of the month

Heartberries ‘ode mina’ (strawberry)
