News

I reside in an economically depressed neighbourhood but I’m pleased to serve with the community association that works to lessen the burdens of poverty. Where other neighbourhood associations offer yoga or arts & crafts, this association delivers programs of gang intervention, feeding schoolchildren and lifeskills training. So the idea of hosting a Culture Days street festival along an avenue known more for its crime rate took a giant leap of faith. Though the partnerships were promising. The committee was led by the community association’s Project Co-ordinator and made up of community members, the MacKenzie Art Gallery’s Artist in residence, Common Weal and a couple of social media gurus. Not to mention good guidance from Culture Days Co-ordinator. These were all experienced organizers with a lot of good networking skills. The question remained: could we pull it off here? Among the goals of our street festival was an invitation to the rest of the city to enjoy the party atmosphere and the good food. To have the rest of the city see us as we see ourselves - a little rough around the edges but full of heart and art. Posters for the event were taped up in windows, alongside the ‘for rent’ signs and notices for missing women. As the day approached we faced the usual last minute runarounds for equipment – and who ever has enough extension cords? The weather was on our side and community members began wandering in, wondering why the street was blocked off. The stages were set and the musicians and dancers took to them. Booths displayed local youth groups’ crafts, artists painted canvasses on the spot and the enticing scent of bannock wafted on the breeze. A spectacular mural was unveiled at a sports library along with demonstrations of Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball with a hint of ballet!). In the local MLA’s office the doors were open to a pop-up art gallery. A SaskCulture Animateur drew in the public to create wearable art. The montage of stickers at the Common Weal table invited people to fill in the blanks “I want for my neighbourhood…”. Most of the responses were around basic rights that many people take for granted: safety, a happy life and a grocery store! Our project manager recorded the wow factor expressed by a couple of attendees and his own reflections: “During our Culture Days Celebration a couple walked by during one of the performances and exclaimed. ‘I never thought I would have seen this on 5th Ave!’ then I knew something significant had been accomplished that day. Having people rethink the space, its people and their value. Thanks to all our volunteers and partners.” Okay then. Not only did Culture Days succeed in our neighbourhood – it resonated with the people who live here. It gave an occasion to see each other as fellow artists and lovers of art. We danced together, broke bannock. Laughed and enjoyed each other’s company.  A few citizens ‘from away’ ventured into our home turf and smiled with us. Those who didn’t certainly heard about us in a positive light. And next year, next year… Culture Days will once again encourage our community’s expression of music and art. And our connection to one another. Karen Handling