Allied Arts Council hosting Arts Days this month

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 5, 2024.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Allied Arts Council executive director Jana MacKenzie announces the come back of Arts Days Festival on Wednesday morning at Casa's Rotary Square.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Allied Arts Council’s Arts Days are back to highlight Lethbridge’s vibrant arts community with a month long celebration thorough a variety of events starting today.

To kick things off the AAC invited Mayor Blaine Hyggen and other city dignitaries along with reporters to a press conference where they announced the various events that will take place for Arts Days.

Steven Foord, manager of engagement with the AAC, announced that starting today “Downtown Lens & Sounds” will take place with the annual mural project, where artists and local businesses collaborate to create an outdoor gallery along with live street performances at mural sites.

“The Downtown Lens & Downtown Sounds it’s going to transform the downtown core into a living art gallery. The artist will start painting windows as soon as tomorrow, actually starting even today, and that will run through Sept. 21,” said Foord.

He said the murals will add vibrancy and life to the already beautiful downtown core, something that Mayor Hyggen echoed in his opening speech when he said the murals will add to the course of the downtown’s historic charm.

“In our city arts are not just a pastime, but a vital thread, the fabric of our community. Today, as we kick off Arts Days in Lethbridge, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing and supporting our local artists and cultural institutions,” said Hyggen.

He added that as a council they are committed to fostering environment where creativity can thrive.

“This means supporting arts education, providing space for artists to create and perform, ensuring that everybody in our community has access to the transformative power of the arts,” said Hyggen.

Jana MacKenzie, executive director of AAC, thanked the City and its dignitaries for their support during her opening speech.

“The support we receive from our local, provincial, and federal partners enables us to present this series of inclusive and accessible events. Together, we are fostering an environment where creativity flourishes, and where the arts continue to enrich the lives of everyone in our community,” said MacKenzie.

Other events that were announced during the kickoff media availability include Casa Gallery Opening on Sept. 7, People in the Window Celebration on Sept. 13, AiR Julia Forrest Artist Talk and Open House on Sept. 21, Big Band Bop on Sept. 21, Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 22 and Keeping it Reel Film Festival on Sept. 27.

For more events and details, visit the AAC’s art events calendar at yqlarts.ca