West Kootenay Regional Arts Council

“Uno” by Raul Pous Facha
2025-06-24 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-25 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-26 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-27 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | VISAC Gallery, 1501 Cedar Avenue, Trail, V1R 2J5
Meet Raul: Architect, Artist, and Digital Fabrication Visionary

“I’m Raul, an architect and artist of Mexican origin, now based in Canada since 2022. My lifelong fascination with materials and manufacturing techniques has deeply influenced my approach to design. While I’ve always appreciated the artistry and individuality of handmade products, I’ve also recognized the challenges they face in achieving precision and consistent quality.

This curiosity led me to digital fabrication, where I discovered the power to translate complex designs into reality with precision and control. Through the fusion of technology and craftsmanship, I am able to create pieces that retain the unique essence of handmade work while elevating their quality and accuracy.”

Exhibition Dates: March 10 – 20, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 13 from 4:00pm-5:30pm

Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm

To learn more, visit us at: https://visacgallery.com/exhibitions/#unoraulpousfacha

Incandescence
2025-06-24 19:00 - 21:00 | The Capitol Theatre, 421 Victoria Street, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 5R2, Canada
Incandescence, a National Film Board of Canada production, is an immersive cinematic experience that weaves together on-the-ground footage with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire.
Wildfires are burning with increasing intensity around the world. Following the rhythms of the seasons, Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper’s Incandescence is an immersive cinematic experience, weaving on-the-ground footage with extraordinary stories of survival and adaptation that transform our understanding of wildfire. The film takes shape from the ancient patterns embodied in fire: destruction, aftermath and rebirth. From the flightpath of bees to an osprey’s aerial perspective, floating over the landscape: the Earth comes back.
This important documentary provides insight into the devastating impact of the Okanagan wildfires in recent years, highlighting the personal stories of affected individuals and the environmental consequences that resulted. Join the directors Ami and Ripper after the screening for a community post-screening Q & A.
This event is presented by the Capitol Theatre.

Wednesday Bunker Tours
2025-06-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-13 13:00 - 14:00 and 4 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.

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!

ArtWalk 2025 Opening Night
2025-06-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Nelson, Various, BC, Canada
Join the Nelson District Arts Council for the annual ArtWalk Opening night on Friday, June 27th. Wander the street checking out the art at over 20 venues, listen to music and be entertained as you stroll.

kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light) Opening Reception
2025-06-28 17:00 - 19:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
The public are invited to attend the Opening Reception of kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The artists will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free.
Axel-Strain and Van Stone will be in artists-in-residence at Oxygen Art Centre from June 22, 2025, to June 28, 2025, in preparation for their exhibition kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), which will be on view at Oxygen Art Centre from July 2, 2025, to August 23, 2025. The Opening Reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Everyone welcome to attend.
Oxygen Art Centre is an artist-run centre located at #3-320 Vernon Street along the alleyway behind Baker Street. All events are free to attend.
This program is generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program.
Learn more information about the artists, the program and event at Oxygen’s website.

true nature • an environmental group exhibit
2025-07-05 - 2025-08-30 | Gallery 444, 448 Baker St, Nelson, BC, V1L 4H8, Canada
Bringing a voice to the environment, nature, and humanity’s relationship with it.
As we face climate challenges and work to deepen our connections and regenerative practices, a story is conveyed through the eyes of 4 artists.
Barbara Brown • www.BarbaraBrownArt.com
Christopher Mcholm • https://www.instagram.com/chris.mcholm/
Sam Strachan • http://www.alkemyarttherapy.com/
Chrystyna Bykowa • www.BYKOWA.com
Each artist expresses their relationship and inspiration derived from nature through their work. On exhibit for the months of July and August, 2025. Gallery 444 is excited to bring forth a collective portrait, sparking discussions, as to how we may inform and influence our progress towards achieving planetary balance.
*** For online payment $12 includes service fee
*** Alternatively $10 e-transfer to somasoundstudio444@gmail.com or cash at door

Starbelly Jam Music Festival
2025-07-18 17:00 - 2025-07-20 22:00 | Crawford Bay
NOT TOO BIG, NOT TOO SMALL…

Starbelly Jam is a special festival; great entertainment, great food, great people, lots of happy kids and room to play — we’ve deliberately steered the festival away from getting too big or becoming too crowded; this festival’s success is all about the celebration of life through music, friendship and having a fun time for all in a safe and secure environment.

Opening Reception: kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light)
2025-07-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Oxygen Art Centre, 320 Vernon St Unit-3, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 4E4, Canada
Join us at our Opening Reception for kt̓kmin uɬ c̓ik̓ʷm (mark and make light), an exhibition by artists Manuel Axel-Strain and Kalli Van Stone, on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Oxygen Art Centre.

The artists, Manny + Kalli, will be in attendance and we’re very excited to share the new body of work they develop while in residence from July 14 to July 18, 2025. Light refreshments will be provided and the event is free to attend.

More information about the artists and the project can be found here.

Please contact info[at]oxygenartcentre[dot]org with any questions about the event, access to the facility, or for more information about the project.

Cafe Langham: Experiences of an Internment Camp Teacher
2025-07-19 14:00 - 16:00 | The Langham, 447 A Avenue, Kaslo, BC, V0G 1M0, Canada
Join us at The Langham Gallery for a special presentation by curator Susan Yatabe as she discusses the exhibit “Experiences of an Internment Camp Teacher.”
Discover the incredible story of Kazuko Shinobu, a Nisei teacher who, at just 18, educated Japanese Canadian children while interned in Kaslo.
This powerful exhibit shares her journey through historical photos, student artwork, and four generations of her family’s personal correspondence.
This is a FREE Cafe Langham presentation!

Tom Wayman Book Launch
2025-07-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Nelson Public Library, 602 Stanley St, Nelson, British Columbia, V1L 1N4, Canada
Celebrate the extraordinary everyday with Slocan Valley’s Tom Wayman as he launches his new book of poems Out Of The Ordinary at the Nelson Public Library on Saturday, July 19th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

NELSON : Marketing for Hippies 101 Daylong Workshop - Brought to you by Storytelling Nelson.
2025-07-28 | Nelson Chamber Rail Station Boardroom, 941 Baker Street, Nelson, V1L4X4
Marketing can feel good.
That’s the premise of this workshop.
You don’t need to sell your soul to sell your work.
Too much marketing (even by savvy, conscious entrepreneurs) creates either no response or seems “over-hyped” and triggers a “used car salesman” reaction.
In short, it feels awful.
Since 2001, I have traveled around North America & Europe working with conscious entrepreneurs just like you. Some successful, others struggling. And I’ve gathered quite the assortment of success stories and strategies right from the horses’ mouths. This workshop is my best distillation and collection of those practices and stories.
This workshop is for those who know they need to market but who hate marketing. You don’t have to choose between ethics and effectiveness.
“I met him a few years ago at a Grief and Gratitude Retreat. I noticed him immediately. He did not just sit and listen. While he listened he hand spun fleece off a distaff and onto a spindle. There he was, unassuming master of marketing, practicing the old craft of spinning wool that later he would knit into a variety of clothing and accessories. Beautiful! Deeply meaningful, soul magnet!” – Ray Stothers

NELSON : Marketing for Hippies 101 Daylong Workshop – Live
2025-07-28 09:00 - 17:00 | Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce, 91 Baker Street, Nelson, V1L4G8
This Pay What You Can (PWYC) workshop offers ways to get clients that are deeply respectful, trauma-informed, and conscience-driven.
Marketing can feel good.
That’s the premise of this workshop.You don’t need to sell your soul to sell your work.Too much marketing (even by savvy, conscious entrepreneurs) creates either no response or seems “over-hyped” and triggers a “used car salesman” reaction.In short, it feels awful.Since 2001, I have traveled around North America & Europe working with conscious entrepreneurs just like you. Some successful, others struggling. And I’ve gathered quite the assortment of success stories and strategies right from the horses’ mouths.This workshop is my best distillation and collection of those practices and stories.This workshop is for those who know they need to market but who hate marketing.You don’t have to choose between ethics and effectiveness.You can sell successfully and sleep soundly.
In general, here’s who this workshop is for:Most of the folks who’ve come are service providers of some kind: in the Healing Arts or a Holistic Practitioner, a Therapist, Massage Therapist or Body-worker, Yoga Instructor, Herbalist, Shamanic Practitioner, Life-Coach, Meditation Teacher etc. But I’ve also had crafters, farmers and permaculture folks and they’ve loved it too. Everyone is welcome.
In this workshop you will learn how to:-Apply the Seven Fundamentals of the Marketing for Hippies approach (Space, Ethics, Niching, Point of View Marketing, Business Model, Hub Marketing, and Sharing).-Get more word-of-mouth and attract more of the clients you want (without ever sacrificing your integrity or spending a fortune).-Apply my best core ethical marketing strategies on how to market your business in a way that’s genuinely good-vibes, deeply respectful, trauma-informed, consent-based, conscience-driven, courteous, and that honours the dignity of everyone involved (including you).– Market your beautiful work beautifully – in a way that makes the world better.-Market with no fake scripts, no pitching, no inauthentic self-promotion, no high-pressure sales tactics, no manipulating anyone and make sure your marketing gets a positive response and creates warm feelings of trust.This is marketing you’ll actually do.My name is Tad Hargrave and I want to invite you to come and join us for this day-long workshop, my signature event that I call Marketing for Hippies 101.PRICE: $25 deposit + Pay What You Want at the End.What does this mean?You pay $25 to secure your spot.And then you get to enjoy the workshop and, at the very end, you can pay me whatever you’d like to pay.It’s an honest-to-goodness, decide-at-the-end, no funny business, pay-what-you-can/want deal.OR: Pay a flat $300 market value fee for the workshop upfront. If that feels good and convenient for you, please choose this option. It’s something that’s been requested a number of times so I’m trying it out, but either way is fine by me.
IMPORTANT: CANCELLATIONSThese events often sell out. If you cancel last minute, no-show, or leave early please remember that someone who could have attended for the entire day could have had your space. If you aren’t committed to coming, please wait until the last minute to see if any spots are available to someone planning to be there for the full day.
WHAT TO BRING:– Pen and paper , or a fresh document on your computer.– Payment: I prefer cash. Otherwise, please be prepared to send me your PWYC fee at the end of the workshop. I’ll send you an email with a link to a payment button to make this payment online via PayPal or credit card.
SCHEDULE:This day is mostly hands-on exercises, reflection groups and Q&A based as you learn the core content of my approach to marketing.MORNING: Three Hours of Workshop (fifteen minute break halfway through)LUNCH: 90 MinutesAFTERNOON: Three and a Half Hours (fifteen minute break halfway through)
So that’s it.If you have any questions, feel free to email us at mfhtour@gmail.com otherwise I hope to see you there.Stay Human,Tad HargraveFounder, marketingforhippies.com
PS: BONUS! When you register for this workshop you’ll get a copy of my ebook How to Start , which sells for $20 USD on my website. This book is a practical and refreshing, seven-step workbook to use when marketing feels gross and awkward (you can do it all in one lazy, rainy afternoon and you’ll use it for the rest of the life of your business).How to Start is a tiny workbook about a little idea that could make a big difference in every piece of marketing you ever do from here on. Here’s the little idea: what if you made the heart of your marketing strategy about how your marketing feels to you and others?
TESTIMONIALS: What People Are Saying About My Workshops:“Just watched the Marketing for Hippies 101 workshop from the Starter Kit. By FAR the best workshop I’ve ever done . I totally feel the weird pressure off of me and ideas are pouring in.“– Tricia Scott*“Thank you for your starter kit. It is really the first type of marketing that has felt good to me . I am so grateful that you share all of this content for free. As a new start up I wouldn’t be in a position to pay for all the information.”*“I want to thank you for your Starter Kit. I was feeling down, doubting myself and your videos made me feel better straight away! I have so much debt from so many courses that were NOT a fit for me. ”– MMG*” I’ve learned and understood more about marketing in this workshop, than I have done in years. “*” I learned more practical and useful marketing strategies in Tad’s one day workshop than I did in my five year university business degree. It’s been three months since I attended Marketing for Hippies 101 and I have been taking his practical advice to a “T”. I nearly sold out my 40 person retreat this past weekend, have connected with several “hubs”, and finally have a business model that is profitable. His workshop was like the magic comb I didn’t know was possible to straighten out the mess and just have a simple marketing strategy that actually fucking works.”– Garett Rokosh*“I’m already putting in a good 3 hours a week with free materials. I’ve got some momentum and you/your framework makes sense and I enjoy it and have made more progress than with $10k business coaching investments.”About Tad HargraveTad Hargrave is a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned to be a hippy again).Since 2001, he has been weaving together strands of ethical marketing, Waldorf School education, a history in the performing arts, local culture making, anti-globalization activism, an interest in his ancestral, traditional cultures, community building and supporting local economies into his work helping people create profitable businesses that are ethically grown while restoring the beauty of the marketplace.You can learn more about Tad and his work at marketingforhippies.com

ArtWalk 2025 Opening Night
2025-08-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Nelson, Various, BC, Canada
Join the Nelson District Arts Council for the annual ArtWalk Opening night on Friday, August 1st. Wander the street checking out the art at over 20 venues, listen to music and be entertained as you stroll.

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

HERITAGE CEMETERY TOURS
2025-08-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Mountain View Cemetery, Revelstoke
Join us for guided tours of Revelstoke’s Historic Mountain View Cemetery on Highway 23 North. Children may attend with their parents, but please be aware that there is some adult content. Tours will be cancelled in the case of heavy rain or thunderstorms. Tours are scheduled in the spring, summer, and early fall. Ticket price includes museum admission, which can be used before or after the tour.
Adults $10
Kids 12 and under free
Seniors and Members $8
1.5 hours
Meet at the cemetery
2025 Schedule:
Wednesday, June 18th @ 7 pm
Friday, July 4th @ 11 am
Wednesday, July 16th @ 7 pm
Friday, August 1st @ 11 am
Wednesday, August 13th @ 7 pm
Friday, August 29th @ 11 am

"Natural Geometry" Solo Art Exhibit by Michael Hepher
2025-09-04 - 2025-09-28 | 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2J5, 167 Deer Park Avenue, Kimberley, V1A 2J5
Kimberley, BC — September 4–28, 2025 — Art Gallery Kimberley is proud to present “Natural Geometry,” a solo exhibition of hand-printed artworks by Fernie-based interdisciplinary artist Michael Hepher. Known for his vibrant sense of colour, thoughtful interpretation of the everyday, and abilities across mediums, Michael’s series pushes the boundaries of abstraction while using the historic art of letterpress printmaking.
For more than a decade, Michael has explored the intersection of the natural and the abstract. “Natural Geometry” translates organic shapes and landscapes into layered compositions of bold colours, overlapping forms, and rhythmic patterns. Each work invites viewers to see the world around them in a new way—where the familiar vanishes into geometry, and where the mechanics of nature are revealed in uplifting, unexpected ways.
“Letterpress printing is both ancient and tactile,” says Michael. “It offers a human touch to abstraction—each impression carrying the honesty of an analog process while reimagining the natural spaces we move through every day.”
Working from his Clawhammer Press studio in Fernie, BC, Michael combines traditional wood and linoleum block techniques with modern design sensibilities. His limited-edition prints touch the intersection of history, craft, and contemporary vision.
Michael’s career spans printmaking, oil painting, and illustration, with a portfolio of acclaimed public art projects, private commissions, and exhibitions including All Kinds of Beauty, a 16 x 96’ mural celebrating Fernie (2019), Backroads BC (Fernie Museum Gallery, 2018; Smithers Art Gallery, 2019), and In This Together, a touring exhibition shown across the Kootenays (2021–2022).
Please join us in celebrating this bold and intimate exploration of how we see, feel, and interpret the natural world at the closing reception on Friday, September 26, 2025 between 6 and 8 pm with an artist talk and interactive demonstration at 7 pm.
