About VACS

Who We Are and What We Have Done

The Valemount Arts and Cultural Society (VACS) was formed under the BC Society Act in the Fall of 1998 by approximately 30 interested individuals. Janey Weeks served as the first president. The Society held its first annual meeting on 29 March 1999.

The Valemount Arts and Cultural Society Mandate

To encourage and work together with all people interested in the Arts and Cultural activities.
To explore avenues to facilitate the activities of individual members and group members.
To promote artistic educational growth and enrichment of cultural well-being for the community by broadening the opportunities and co-operation for exchange among and with local and visiting artists.
Identify existing facilities that will offer the proper environment for local and visiting artists.

With funding through the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance (CKCA), VACS started the first of its many local cultural events in 1999. Among those are:

Our Mountains -- Our Lives an artistic celebration of the life and landscape of our valley in the mountains featured works from twenty-six local artists. Debuting on 13 June 1999, the 55-work exhibit was viewed by over 200 guests. Pam Cinnamon was the exhibit organizer. Works by Norene Carr and Ferne McKirdy were chosen "Best in Show" by attendees.
The Valemount Museum hosted a summer-long exhibit of the paintings, etchings and carvings of former area resident James Vanslyk.
A week-long Children's Summer Music and Arts Camp organized by Connie Jones and Joan Ralston in July 1999.
A book-reading duet "The Colour of Gold" and "The Ballad of Adelaide" toured the Columbia Basin in May 1999. The show was a collaboration between Margaret McKirdy and Janey Weeks.
The Best of the Basin Exhibit featuring a selection of the best art from the Columbia Basin came to Valemount in July 1999. Paintings from a number of local artists joined the touring exhibit for the six-day show.

Best of the Basin Exhibit 1999

In the years since its founding, VACS has participated in or begun many arts and cultural projects with the community. Herein are some of those initiatives.

1999/2000 Year

The painting of a mural on the post office by Noreen Carr, Pamela Cinnamon, Lucille Mintz and Jane Shaw depicts Canoe Mountain and Kinbasket Lake. Painted in July 1999, the 6 ft by 16 ft mural is visible to travelers on Highway 5.
An Artist in Residence program at the Valemount Elementary School during the 2000 winter term. Artists participating were: Corey Wells, woodworking; Kim Thorne, batik; Sharon Anderson, clay sculpture; Marg Murray and Mona Grasdale, painting; and Gerhard Oberhauer, ironwork.
The Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale was held in June as part of the Valemountain Days celebration

Mural on the post office by Noreen Carr, Pamela Cinnamon, Lucille Mintz and Jane Shaw
depicts Canoe Mountain and Kinbasket Lake. Painted in July 1999

2000-2001 Year

The composition of the"Salute to Rivers" Suite for Choral Group by Keith Burchnall
Postcards featuring the paintings of Dr David Norwell, Marjorie Murray and Eva Porter
A mural sign series "Mountain Memories" that depicts historical regional life. Signs in the series were painted by Lucille Mintz; Jane Shaw; K. Hauer, A Deforge and S. Friesen from the Valemount Secondary School; Dave Pilcher; Noreen Carr, Peggy Hubley; and Pam Cinnamon. These mural signs are posted around the Village in a walking tour Valemount Heritage Art Walk.
The Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale included 32 pieces from the juried, traveling Columbia Basin art show "Basin Best".
A Valemount Community Concert featuring the Valemount Community Choir

Valemountain Days Art Show, 2001

During the first four years of its existence, VACS sponsored the distribution of around $20,000 from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

2002 Year

A community concert "Salute to Rivers" by the Valemount Community Choir
The Valemount Winter Arts and Crafts Fair featured performances and demonstrations by local artists including Doreen Beck, Toni Klettl, Jean Alain, Betty Hannis, David Norwell, Vern Barge, Edna McLean.
The People Paint program as part of the CKCA ArtStarts program at Valemount Secondary School organized by Pam Cinnamon and Karen Shaw.
Spring recital by the Valemount Community Choir and the Valemount Children's Choir
Violins of the Valley workshop and performances by Diane Martin
Heritage Crafts Workshop by the Three Valley Metis Society, the hands-on creation of traditional Metis crafts.
Ken Ferris' watercolour workshop

2003 Year

Spring recital by the Valemount Community Choir and guests: the Valemount Children's Choir, Keith Burchnall, Janey Weeks, Gordon Carson, Doreen Beck and the Valemount Secondary Band.
The first issue of Art & Soul, an annual paper featuring Valemount arts and artists is published.
A drawing workshop by Debbie Andrews
The design and building of a new high school in Valemount

2004 Year

The Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale with a themed show: Water for Life
A mixed-media collage Nature as Inspiration workshop with Max Elliott.
A workshop in journaling The Journey in Journaling facilitated by Pam Cinnamon.
A glass mosaic workshop Stepping Stones facilitated by Sharon Hoy.
Spring recital by the Valemount Community Choir and the Valemount Children's Choir featuring compositions by 13 local composers/songwriters.
Janey Weeks' CD from the Wild Side
The Community Hearts Art Gala
The Mountaintop Drama Club

From the Wild SideRelease Party Announcement

2005 Year

Basin's Best, a touring selection of the best art from the Columbia Basin
The Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale
Workshop on mask making by Sharon Anderson.

2006 Year

The Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale

2007 Year

The beginning of the Valemount Community Theatre and its Concert series. The first act booked was The Polygesters. Other performances during 2007 included Scott MacLeod, Yael Wand, Tony Michael and the Foggy Minded Mountain Boys, Charlie Major, The Arrogant Worms, The Irish Descendents, and Gary Fjellgaard.
Production of the CD Winter Mountain Echoes featuring 23 songs by local musicians including five locally written pieces.

2008 Year

Concerts by Hungry Hill, The Sabir Sisters, Theatre Royal, Aaron Prichett, and Johnny Reid.
The 2007/2008 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Valley Comfort, a play of local history written by Sharon Stearns.
Art Workshops by Pam Cinnamon
Establishing the Top Shelf Gallery at the Valemount Public Library.
Production of the Date With Art 2009 Calendar featuring paintings by eight local artists.

Date With Art 2009 Calendar

2009 Year

Concerts by Gord Banford, John Reismann and the Jaybirds, The Foothills Brass, Magician Ted Outerbridge, Lunch at Allens, and The McDades
The 2008/2009 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Art Workshops by Bonnie Marklund and Carol Bustin
Established the Canoe Mountain Gallery at the Valemount Information Centre

2010 Year

Concerts by The Montreal Guitar Trio, August, Red Sky, Wille Thrasher, Jason Blaine and Delhi 2 Dublin.
The 2009/2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Continuation of the Canoe Mountain Gallery at the Valemount Information Centre


The Top Shelf Gallery	Canoe Mountain Gallery

VACS has continued sponsorship of the annual Valemountain Days Art Show and Sale for all but one year and the ongoing concert series of the Valemount Community Theatre as well as being the conduit for arts and culture funding through the CKCA grants.

[Any errors or omissions in this brief history are strictly mine. Corrections and additions to the above may be sent to me, Keith Heidorn at the email address below.]