The Rivers of Peace Eco Arts Festival, November 4, 5, celebrates the life-giving waterways of the Harrison and Fraser Rivers of British Columbia through arts and action.  Presented by ACES:  Actively Creating an Exceptional Society and Woodside Gallery, this free festival includes an art exhibition and Eco Arts Action Fair.

Rivers of Peace kicks off Friday, November 4 at 7pm with the opening reception presenting the visual art of Kat Wahamaa and Robi Smith, at Woodside Gallery.  Wahamaa’s pieces focus on nature and the impacts of gravel mining on the local watershed and habitat, while Smith’s work reflects the detritus from human engagement with the Alouette River. 

The reception also features the work of Johanna Clark, fibre art; Vickie Legere, photography; and Kathy Hiltz, jewelry. Music for the evening will be provided by Tony Rees and Caden Knudson.
 
The Eco Arts Fair on Saturday November 5 is fun and informative. Make and take a pine needle basket with Sharon Syrette or a felted piece with Johanna Clark. Learn about this amazing watershed, enjoy the exhibition and the talents of the down and scratchy Chicken Like Birds, renowned activist Eddie Gardner and the Wild Salmon Defenders, hometown Kat & Tony joined on a few songs by the infamous Raging Grannies and the highlight performance by the Fraser Valley’s own award-winning blues all-star Gerald Charlie. 

ACES is a charter member of the Harrison Salmon Stronghold (HSS) – an international designation that recognizes the importance of our area as a habitat for salmon. Sts'ailes First Nation is the lead on this initiative and Kim Charlie will speak about the background and goals of the HSS. Other speakers include David Handcock, FV Bald Eagle Festival; Lynn Perrin, Pipe-up; Ian Stephens, Water Wealth; and Tracy Lyster, CAUSS.  The organizations will have information displays as well.   And if all this makes you hungry the Deroche Farmer’s Market will be on hand with some savory and sweet treats for purchase.

Through Rivers of Peace, ACES hopes to inspire people to contemplate the spirit of water and the importance of this precious gift. It’s a very grassroots event, with something for everyone, taking place at the confluence of the beautiful Harrison and Fraser Rivers. For more information visit ACES at www.weareaces.org, email info@weareaces.org or call 604-826-6803. 

Passports are now on sale for our annual Art and Garden Tour  Saturday, June 18th!
 
With your Art and Garden passport take a self guided tour as artists and gardeners from Deroche to Harrison Mills welcome you to their private creative spaces. Be inspired as you savour the experience of each unique destination.

Enjoy nature’s masterpiece along the ‘Scenic 7’ as you make your way. The tour is followed be a lively tea reception at Woodside Gallery.
 
Passports are available at the Pantry natural Foods in Mission, Deroche General Store, Agassiz Produce and at the Deroche Farmers Market (Friday’s from 4-7pm at the FVRD Community Access Centre, Deroche). Cost is $10 for one person or $15.00 for two and includes admission to KIlby Historic Site.
 
Find us on FB at ActivelyCreatingAnExceptionalSociety or email info@weareaces.org or call 604-826-6803.
 

Rivers of Peace Eco Arts Festival
Sept. 26, 27, 2014
Opening Reception Sept. 26 @ 7pm
Sept. 27 – Eco Arts Fair – Poetry, Music, Hands-on-Arts 11~4pm
Harrison Mills Community Hall, 1995 School Road, Harrison Mills

The Rivers of Peace Eco Arts Festival, September 26, 27 celebrates the life-giving waterways of the Harrison and Fraser Rivers of British Columbia through arts and action.  Presented by ACES:  Actively Creating an Exceptional Society, Woodside Gallery and ShinyB Media, this free festival includes an art exhibition and Eco Arts Action Fair.

Rivers of Peace kicks off Friday, September 26 at 7pm with the opening reception for the visual arts exhibition, presenting the work of Tracie Stewart, Michael Hamilton Clark, Vickie Legere and Sherren Macleod at the Harrison Mills Community Hall, 1995 School Road in Harrison Mills. Along with other community organizations, ACES is a charter member of the Harrison Salmon Stronghold – an international designation that recognizes the importance of our area as a habitat for salmon. Sts'ailes First Nation is the lead on this initiative and Willie Charlie will speak about the background and goals of the Harrison Salmon Stronghold.

This year in addition to the amazing artwork, the exhibition reception features a performance by the award-winning Gerald Charlie & Black Owl Blues so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! Gerald is from Lake Errock and resides on Scowlitz Reserve. He has pleased audiences all around BC and in the US.

The Eco Arts Fair takes place September 27 from 11-4pm, also at the Harrison Mills Community Hall. Come and learn about our amazing watershed and how to be a good steward, enjoy the exhibition and the talents of the Sasquatch Dancers, renowned Fraser Valley poet Robert Martens and the highlight performance by Iskwew. Coming from the Cree Nation of Canada, Fara Palmer is joined by Cree/Métis singer Sandy Scofield and Dene singer Tiffany Moses – each of them with active careers in other forms of music. The Georgia Straight says, "When the three sing together, their collective joy and pride is magical.  They're all strong women, and powerful ambassadors for First Nations culture." Iskwew Singers wear traditional clothing or regalia and play hand drums and rattles. They perform at local, regional, national and international music festivals and cultural events.


Through Rivers of Peace, ACES hopes to inspire people to contemplate the spirit of water and the importance of stewardship of this precious gift. It’s a very grassroots event, with something for everyone, taking place at the confluence of the beautiful Harrison and Fraser Rivers. For more information visit ACES at www.weareaces.org, email kat@weareaces.com or call 604-826-6803.