Gallery Row celebrates creativity and self expression in the Nanaimo community during its annual Art Festival.
The event embraces all kinds of art forms.
“We are trying to showcase art and support our local artists whether they are musicians or visual artists,” said Sadie Beaudoin-Lobb, festival events coordinator.
The art festival is Saturday (Aug. 20) from noon to 4 p.m. at Gallery Row, located at the corner of Fitzwilliam and Wallace streets. The new art gallery will be unveiled at 1 p.m., which includes a piece created by children participating in the Nanaimo Art Gallery’s Art Lab programs.
Musical acts include Boomshack, Shed, Jeffrey Randle and Eric Norman and Barry Hall.
Shed’s music spans many genres, including blues and folk-tronica, said Beaudoin-Lobb.
“They are very funky,” she said. “They are really fun to watch.”
Boomshack is an eight-piece horn band with jazz influences.
Eric Norman and Barry Hill will improvise music onstage.
“It’s kind of neat to watch the creativity between them instead of a set performance,” said Beaudoin-Lobb.
During the event, the Nanaimo Arts Council will also unveil its Culture Says community tile mosaic, which was part of the 2015 Culture Days activities. People are also invited to create designs on new tiles for the 2016-17 project.
The art festival includes a silent auction to raise money for the Art Lab programs for children. There will be activities such as face painting and crafts, food and prizes.
For more information please check out the Facebook page at http://bit.ly/2bj165f.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com