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Notes from the ’09 Whistler Readers and Writers Fest

The eighth annual Whistler Readers and Writers Festival saw a 15 per cent increase in attendance this year, attracting a crowd of almost 200 people who had a selection of 20 seminars to choose from, including an evening poet's walk, "Haiku Idol," and

The eighth annual Whistler Readers and Writers Festival saw a 15 per cent increase in attendance this year, attracting a crowd of almost 200 people who had a selection of 20 seminars to choose from, including an evening poet's walk, "Haiku Idol," and a range of workshops.

The new Poet's Walk event even attracted the attention of the Globe and Mail , with its mission of making writing accessible to people while naturally integrating the literary arts into the community of Whistler.

The school outreach program also brought an author to town to visit with the local school, delivering three sessions to high schoolers and attracting several youth to workshops, including a 12-year-old who took part in the Writing a Screenplay workshop with Rebecca Wood Barrett.

After each session, participants were given feedback forms to fill out, and according to organizer Lisa Richardson, the response was very positive.

"The feedback really identifies that the strength of the festival is in its intimacy and accessibility, the ability to interact with people, authors, publishers, editors etc., and the chance to put the theories of writing into practice with drills, exercises, practice pitches..." Richardson said in a recent e-mail.

Even instructors were impressed; guest author Nancy Lee commented that this is the best, most well-organized, professional and amazing festival she's attended, even when compared to literary festivals in Paris and the UK.

The bulk of the events was moved to Legends in Creekside this year, where participants were able to enjoy free parking and a picturesque mountainside locale. Participants came from as far away as Vancouver, Salmon Arm, Vancouver Island, and Vernon to attend the festival, which translated into room nights for local hotels.

"...We did give people a reason to come to Whistler, and as part of an integrated resort arts/retreats strategy, I think those kinds of things can help the resort move into it's post 2010 reality," Richardson added.

 

Whistler Live! looks to locals

During the 17 days of the 2010 Olympic Games, the Village Stroll will come alive with not only athletes and sports enthusiasts from all over the world, but music and entertainment from performers from far and wide as part of the Whistler Live! events roster. But not all of the talent is coming from outside of the community.

The Whistler Arts Council and Whistler Live! team are now on the lookout for local and regional artists who are interested in participating in the family-friendly, daily and nightly programming that is slated to take place at the network of integrated live sites along the Village Stroll.

Projects include an ArtWalk, Live Art on the Stroll program, an outdoor winter sport photography slideshow, and outdoor light projection art project, all of which will encompass live performances and interactive events. While specific opportunities have not yet been posted, WAC wants to ensure that Sea to Sky artists have a chance to take part in the 2010 Winter Games, and are asking that anyone interested in participating keeps a close eye on the WAC website for more information in coming weeks. Check www.whistlerartscouncil.com .

Calling all crafters

Whistler's original artisan market is on the hunt for handcrafted artwork to showcase at the 21st annual Bizarre Bazaar, which takes place on Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Telus Conference Centre.

The two-day event typically draws a crowd of over 5,000 people who are all eager to check out the range of quality hand-made crafts coupled with entertainment, a silent auction and a festive atmosphere. Whistler Art Council originally created the market as a fundraising event for the Whistler Children's Art Festival, but it has now grown to feature over 100 artisans from the Sea to Sky region and from throughout the province, specializing in mediums ranging from ceramics, fine art, wood, glass, jewelry and metal to aromatherapy products, Christmas decorations and clothing.

WAC has already started accepting applications for the 2009 Bizarre Bazaar, and the late application deadline is Friday, Sept. 18. They also provide assistance to one or two emerging local artisans exhibiting at the Bizarre Bazaar for the first time; new artisans of any age and students who have been enrolled in craft training programs who have been in their craft career for three years or less are invited to apply for the fund.

For more information or application forms, e-mail info@whistlerartscouncil.com .

 

Explorations in colour and clay

After perfecting your pot or other clay creation at the wheel, it's time to bring in the colour. At an upcoming Whistler Arts Council workshop, led by Heather Cairns, potters will have a chance to experiment with a range of application techniques to add colour and interest to their pieces. This hands-on workshop, entitled Colour on Clay: Underglazes, slips and sgraffito, will help developing potters build their own colour palette and play with a range of underglazes and slips, which can truly transform their projects.

All levels of experience are welcome, but participants should bring along two cylinders, two bowls and two slabs, thrown or hand built, all bone-dry. The workshop takes place on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $55 for early birds and members of the Whistler Pottery Club, and $65 for anyone else. For more information, or to register, contact lauriemaccallum@yahoo.ca .

 

On-the-job journalism training at 2010

40 aspiring young journalists and videographers will have a chance to cover the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympics Games thanks to a new program dubbed Historica-Dominion at the Games.

Canadian teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 are being asked to submit their applications for the program by entering the national creative writing or video competition, or the regional essay competition aimed at Vancouver students. In the application, they should explain why they should have this "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity, which will allow them to attend sport and cultural events during the first week of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and record their experiences on film or in writing, and interview retired Olympic and Paralympic athletes, artists and officials. The best diaries and articles will then be shared with the world online.

The program is a collaborative project of the newly formed Historica-Dominion Institute (an amalgamation of The Historica Foundation of Canada and The Dominion Institute) that aims to create greater knowledge of Canadian history, identity and citizenship.

"Engaging Canada's next generation of young storytellers in the 2010 Winter Games and seeing and reading their unique perspectives on history unfolding before their eyes is the driving force behind our partnership with the Historica-Dominion institute on this innovative project," Burke Taylor, VANOC's VP of culture, celebration and education programs said in a recent press release.

Eight students from across the country will be chosen, as well as 26 from Vancouver, with another six spots set aside for students with disabilities. The 40 participants will need to pay $625 for meals, transportation and other costs.

For more information on the program, or to apply, visit www.fyicanada.ca .