Interactive Art Happening Downtown for Alberta Culture Days

Volunteer Central

Published

5 years ago

13 minute read

Alberta Culture Days is coming up this weekend, and Volunteer Central wants to ask the community, “What does community mean to you?”

On Saturday, September 28th, Volunteer Central will be hosting an interactive community art wall as part of Red Deer Culture Days. Make your mark on our community art wall and paint your interpretation of community at the former Red Boar Smokery location on Ross while checking out the many other fantastic activities going on in the community. We will be there from 11:00am to 4:00pm!

The weekend will be filled with a celebration of heritage, arts, community spirit and cultural diversity. For three days, downtown Red Deer comes alive with a pop-up gallery, culture and dance showcase, art exhibits, music, kids’ craft activities, a literary tea party, an Indigenous Culture Peace Camp, local film screenings, plays, open houses, tours, and all manner of arts and culture events.

The events will be co-hosted by many community partners including: City of Red Deer Culture Services, Red Deer College Arts Centre & Red Deer College, Red Deer’s Public and Catholic Schools, Red Deer Public Library, Central Alberta Retired Teachers Association (CARTA), Red Deer Visual Artists, Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, Central Alberta Women’s Immigrant Association (CAIWA), Central Alberta Refugee Effort (CARE), Norwegian Laft Hus Society, The Hub on Ross, Country Pride Dance Club, Central Alberta Theatre, Prime Stock Theatre, Red Deer Downtown Business Association, Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, Artribute Art School, Downtown Businesses (Meeting Waters, Chronicles Café, Sunworks Living,) ReThink Red Deer, Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, Volunteer Central, and Urban Aboriginal Voices Society.

Friday, September 27, 2019

What	When	Where
Senior’s Breakfast with Art Exhibition Mohammed Rafia & Mohammed Zaidan Khalaf from Iraq will showcase their beautiful art work at the Golden Circle during the seniors breakfast. Organized by Central Alberta Refugee Effort.	8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.	The Golden Circle (4620 47A Avenue)
Live Music at the Hub on Ross A free concert from family band, ‘Off the Rails.’ Check out their selection of folk and pop, old and new, and some original songs!	1 – 3 p.m.	The Hub on Ross (4936 Ross Street)
Music from the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra	6 – 7 p.m.	The Hub on Ross (4936 Ross Street)
Multicultural Art, Fashion, Music, Movin and Munchies With an art exhibition and live music by Armenian artist Hmayak Mikayelyan, this free event with international refreshments will liven up your Friday night! A collaborative event with Central Alberta Refugee Effort. International music from the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra from 6 – 7 PM.	4 – 7 p.m.	The Hub on Ross (4936 Ross Street)
“With Love” Visual Art Exhibition Artribute Art School presents “With Love,” an exhibition and sale of postcard art from places near and far. Proceeds will be donated to the Woman’s Shelter. www.artributeartschool.com	5 – 8 p.m.	Old Court House (212 – 4836 Ross Street)
Welcome to our World Visit us on Friday and listen to teachings from Indigenous Elders and Francophone Canadians as we celebrate Canadian culture and help newcomers learn more about their new home.	9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Maple Room at Central Alberta Refugee Effort (5000 Gaetz Avenue)

Saturday, September 28, 2019

What	When	Where
Pop-up Art Gallery The Red Deer Arts Council and the Central Alberta Retired Teachers’ Association present a pop-up art gallery showcasing original artwork by several local artists. Meet the artists and watch live demonstrations of their process.	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	City of Red Deer Culture Services (5205 48 Avenue)
Kids’ Art Activity! An artist and teacher will help your children create a fun craft to bring home and enjoy!	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	City of Red Deer Culture Services (5205 48 Avenue)
Celebration of Dance & Culture Country Pride Dance Club and Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society will showcase several local dance and cultural arts group performances for the community. Watch demonstrations, learn about the dance and cultural groups, and meet the performers!	11 a.m. – 3 p.m.	City of Red Deer Culture Services (5205 48 Avenue)
Bard in a Box Prime Stock Theatre presents a free encore performance of their popular summer series. A delightful Shakespearean comedy awaits you!	3 – 4 p.m.	City of Red Deer Culture Services (5205 48 Avenue)
Central Alberta Theatre Presents Catena! CATena is a free evening of entertainment and this year kicks off our 50th Anniversary Celebrations. There will be refreshments provided. Tours of the building will be offered to familiarize the public with the facility, and what it has to offer.	7:30 p.m.	Memorial Centre (4214 58 Street)
Indigenous Culture and Urban Aboriginal Voices Peace Camp Join the Indigenous communities of the traditional territory that Red Deer is situated on to learn more about Indigenous culture and reconciliation. Participate in the blanket exercise and try bannock and jam. Enjoy traditional music and join a community conversation about diversity and reconciliation.	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	City Hall Park (4914 48 Avenue)
Family Fun Storytime – Fancy a Story? Come on down to hear some of our favourite picture books from British authors, then make a picture book of your very own!	1 p.m.	Red Deer Public Library, Downtown Branch (4818 49 Street)
International Artists Around Downtown Red Deer Visit more of our immigrant artists as they share their artistic talents at several local businesses in Downtown Red Deer: • Ahad Armin, from Iran, will play traditional folk music on the tanbour, at Chronicles Café from 1pm – 2pm • Hassan Tahir from Iraq will play classical lute music at Sunworks from 11.30am – 1pm • Elena Rousseau from Romania will read her poetry at Red Deer Public Library, downtown, from 2pm – 3pm	11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.	Downtown Red Deer
Film Presentations by Motion Picture Arts The RDC Motion Picture Arts program started 18 years ago and MPA students have created thousands of hours of entertainment in a multitude of genres. RDC film grads are now working in front of and behind the camera, on TV and film sets around Canada and Hollywood! Join us for an afternoon of some of our favourite short films as we look back at some amazing work that has come out of the Motion Picture Arts program.	1 – 3 p.m.	Welikoklad Event Centre (4922 49 Street)
Selected Works from RDC Permanent Art Collection The Red Deer College Permanent Art Collection houses over 1,000 individual pieces of art. While the collection has a diverse range of artists from all over the world, it does focus on Canadian artists and specifically Albertan artists.	1 – 3 p.m.	Welikoklad Event Centre (4922 49 Street)
Interactive Community Street Art Volunteer Central is raising the question, “What does community mean to you? Bring the whole family and help them create a piece of art that’s as dynamic as our community. Engage, collaborate, and leave your mark on our public, interactive, community art wall.	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Formerly the Red Boar Smokery (4916 50 Street)
Meet the Bronte Sisters Literary Tea Party Come enjoy a literary tea party with the Brontë Sisters while enjoying some live music and entertainment. Books and tea go together! Holly Parker, talented young violinist, and member of two adult orchestras will be delighting patrons from 1 – 1:30pm. This literary tea party with games and literary treats is co-sponsored by Red Deer Public Library, Prime Stock Theatre, Central Alberta Refugee Effort, and Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society who operate the Cronquist House.	1 – 4 p.m.	The Cronquist House (4707 Fountain Drive)
The Tweed Ride & Living Pictures, Moving Library The Tweed Ride is a group bicycle ride with everyone dressed in their best traditional British cycling attire. Classic vintage bicycles are encouraged, if possible. Tweed suits, bowties, and jaunty flat caps are all encouraged. The prizes for the Best Dressed Male and Female will be decided by all ride participants. We will wheel through downtown Red Deer, ending the ride with tea at the Cronquist House. Weather permitting.	11 a.m.	Red Deer Public Library Downtown Branch to Cronquist House
Norwegian Laft Hus Open House Come taste a Norwegian Krumkake (cone-shaped cookie) and watch how they’re made, or see a rosemaling painting demonstration and learn a bit about Norway’s Indigenous Language, Sami, and how it relates to our own, Cree! All this happens in our log house with a sod roof. See our artifacts and shop in our butikk.	10 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Heritage Square (4402 47 Avenue)
Magnificent Saturdays Presents: Picasso Monsters Picasso is so much fun. No need to worry about realistic drawing; use your imagination and move and shuffle all the bits. Drop-in art making for the entire family! All materials provided. Today’s MAGnificent Saturdays activity is FREE to attend as part of Alberta Culture Days 2019!	1 – 4 p.m.	Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery (4525 47 A Avenue)
Tour Behind the Scenes of the MAG Have you ever wanted to see behind the scenes in a museum? Join us for tours of the collection. Drop in anytime between 1 – 4 pm! We have been working so hard to reorganize our collections and have some special spaces we would like to share. Tours occurring throughout the afternoon.	1 – 4 p.m.	Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery (4525 47 A Avenue)

Sunday, September 29, 2019

What	When	Where
Garlic City Market Festival ReThink Red Deer hosts an annual Garlic Festival celebrating locally grown garlic. Come stock up on a variety of bulbs, braids, as well as other crafts and local produce. Plus, get some tips on growing your own garlic! See rethinkreddeer.ca/events for more details.	11 a.m. – 4 p.m.	Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project (40th Avenue)

What

When

Where

Garlic City Market Festival

ReThink Red Deer hosts an annual Garlic Festival celebrating locally grown garlic. Come stock up on a variety of bulbs, braids, as well as other crafts and local produce. Plus, get some tips on growing your own garlic! See rethinkreddeer.ca/events for more details.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Project

(40th Avenue)

Volunteer Central

www.volunteercentral.ca

Volunteer Central strives to build a strong, connected and engaged community through volunteerism.

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SPARC Red Deer – Caring Adult Nominations open now!

Published on March 10, 2024

SPARC Red Deer

Red Deer community let’s give a round of applause to the incredible adults shaping the future of our kids. Whether they’re a coach, neighbour, teacher, mentor, instructor, or someone special, we want to know about them!

Tell us the inspiring story of how your nominee is helping kids grow up great. We will honour the first 100 local nominees for their outstanding contributions to youth development. It’s time to highlight those who consistently go above and beyond!

To nominate, visit Events (sparcreddeer.ca)

Addictions

‘Harm Reduction’ is killing B.C.’s addicts. There’s got to be a better way

Published on January 28, 2024

Todayville

From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

By Susan Martinuk

B.C. recently decriminalized the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. The resulting explosion of addicts using drugs in public spaces, including parks and playgrounds, recently led the province’s NDP government to attempt to backtrack on this policy

Since 2016, more than 40,000 Canadians have died from opioid drug overdoses — almost as many as died during the Second World War.

Governments, health care professionals and addiction experts all acknowledge that widespread use of opioids has created a public health crisis in Canada. Yet they agree on virtually nothing else about this crisis, including its causes, possible remedies and whether addicts should be regarded as passive victims or accountable moral agents.

Fuelled by the deadly manufactured opioid fentanyl, Canada’s national drug overdose rate stood at 19.3 people per 100,000 in 2022, a shockingly high number when compared to the European Union’s rate of just 1.8. But national statistics hide considerable geographic variation. British Columbia and Alberta together account for only a quarter of Canada’s population yet nearly half of all opioid deaths. B.C.’s 2022 death rate of 45.2/100,000 is more than double the national average, with Alberta close behind at 33.3/100,00.

In response to the drug crisis, Canada’s two western-most provinces have taken markedly divergent approaches, and in doing so have created a natural experiment with national implications.

B.C. has emphasized harm reduction, which seeks to eliminate the damaging effects of illicit drugs without actually removing them from the equation. The strategy focuses on creating access to clean drugs and includes such measures as “safe” injection sites, needle exchange programs, crack-pipe giveaways and even drug-dispensing vending machines. The approach goes so far as to distribute drugs like heroin and cocaine free of charge in the hope addicts will no longer be tempted by potentially tainted street drugs and may eventually seek help.

But safe-supply policies create many unexpected consequences. A National Post investigation found, for example, that government-supplied hydromorphone pills handed out to addicts in Vancouver are often re-sold on the street to other addicts. The sellers then use the money to purchase a street drug that provides a better high — namely, fentanyl.

Doubling down on safe supply, B.C. recently decriminalized the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. The resulting explosion of addicts using drugs in public spaces, including parks and playgrounds, recently led the province’s NDP government to attempt to backtrack on this policy — though for now that effort has been stymied by the courts.

According to Vancouver city councillor Brian Montague, “The stats tell us that harm reduction isn’t working.” In an interview, he calls decriminalization “a disaster” and proposes a policy shift that recognizes the connection between mental illness and addiction. The province, he says, needs “massive numbers of beds in treatment facilities that deal with both addictions and long-term mental health problems (plus) access to free counselling and housing.”

In fact, Montague’s wish is coming true — one province east, in Alberta. Since the United Conservative Party was elected in 2019, Alberta has been transforming its drug addiction policy away from harm reduction and towards publicly-funded treatment and recovery efforts.

Instead of offering safe-injection sites and free drugs, Alberta is building a network of 10 therapeutic communities across the province where patients can stay for up to a year, receiving therapy and medical treatment and developing skills that will enable them to build a life outside the drug culture. All for free. The province’s first two new recovery centres opened last year in Lethbridge and Red Deer. There are currently over 29,000 addiction treatment spaces in the province.

This treatment-based strategy is in large part the work of Marshall Smith, current chief of staff to Alberta’s premier and a former addict himself, whose life story is a testament to the importance of treatment and recovery.

The sharply contrasting policies of B.C. and Alberta allow a comparison of what works and what doesn’t. A first, tentative report card on this natural experiment was produced last year in a study from Stanford University’s network on addiction policy (SNAP). Noting “a lack of policy innovation in B.C.,” where harm reduction has become the dominant policy approach, the report argues that in fact “Alberta is currently experiencing a reduction in key addiction-related harms.” But it concludes that “Canada overall, and B.C. in particular, is not yet showing the progress that the public and those impacted by drug addiction deserve.”

The report is admittedly an early analysis of these two contrasting approaches. Most of Alberta’s recovery homes are still under construction, and B.C.’s decriminalization policy is only a year old. And since the report was published, opioid death rates have inched higher in both provinces.

Still, the early returns do seem to favour Alberta’s approach. That should be regarded as good news. Society certainly has an obligation to try to help drug users. But that duty must involve more than offering addicts free drugs. Addicted people need treatment so they can kick their potentially deadly habit and go on to live healthy, meaningful lives. Dignity comes from a life of purpose and self-control, not a government-funded fix.

Susan Martinuk is a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy and author of the 2021 book Patients at Risk: Exposing Canada’s Health Care Crisis. A longer version of this article recently appeared at C2CJournal.ca.