The life of a piece of metal merely begins when it's pulled out of the earth, as audiences of the BC Museum of Mining's Copper and Fire arts festival discover every year. And for the first time this year, the museum offers three full days of live arts performances, music and celebrations.
"We're thrilled that we were able to expand the event to three days this summer, and hope that it will continue to grow to include new forms of art and performance in the future," said museum executive director Kirstin Clausen.
On Sunday (Aug. 9), Sunday (Aug. 16) and Sunday Aug. 23, museum visitors get a rare treat as they witness metalwork artists pounding, soldering and molding their medium into stunning creations. Not to be outdone, a variety of other artists show off techniques in their mediums as well, including ceramic, stone, wood and glass.
And even musicians get into the act this year with a musical performance series starting at 3 p.m. Sunday.
"The Copper and Fire summer arts series is an important annual event at the BC Museum of Mining," said Clausen. "It's an opportunity for us to support arts and culture in our community and provide a unique and fun forum for local artists and musicians to interact with visitors and residents."
The museum launched Copper and Fire this year on Sunday (Aug. 9) with live sculpting, metalwork and ceramic arts demonstrations. Artists such Byron Anderson, Mark Mentiply, James Grass, Valeri Sokolovski, Jenny Smack and Liza Bennett provide groups of all ages the opportunity to watch as they work their imaginations.
Sunday (Aug. 16) organizers celebrate the museum's 35th birthday with activities all day including free balloons, birthday cake, storytelling, caricature drawings, and performances by fire spinner Laura Scarlette.
And on the final day of the Copper and Fire series, live demonstrations by Judy McQuinn, a Squamish stained glass artist and the Burnaby Heritage Blacksmith Association, will be accompanied by a series of concerts in the refurbished and restored historic mill building from 3 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy The Overcomers, a bluesy, pop sound with Squamish married duo Mario and Anne Lacovone, along with bass player Andre Chamberlain, drummer Jeremy Radawiec and backing vocalist Naomi Lang. Dana-Marie Battaglia, a singer, songwriter, and performer from Squamish, plays acoustic folk music. Carolyn Grass & friends brings a full sound through its four piece band with Grass as lead vocalist, Jim Piche as lead guitar, Paul Graham on bass, Mike Damgaard on drums and Louise Martin on recorder. And favourites in the Vancouver music scene, the Karen Fowlie Band plays a blend of country and alt rock with a band of veteran performers.
Visit www.bcmm.ca for more information.
