Upcoming Events:
At Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar this summer:
Exhibition:
August 1 – September 7
This is a dream come true for me!
An exhibition of all 32 of my forest paintings from both volumes, SYLVAN REFLECTIONS books, with an Opening Reception August 1, 5:30.
(The full-sized original paintings aren’t available for purchase, but high-quality giclee prints can be ordered, and I do have lovely little miniature original oil paintings, ‘Forest Impressions’, that are for sale.)
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Special Launch Event of my new Book & Film:
Thursday, August 8, 6:30-8:30
I’ll be launching Volume II, SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings & Ponderings From the Forest and premiering its companion film On BEAUTY As We Come to It in the FOREST. (click the link to watch the film trailer)
6:30 doors open
- Come early to hear the sweet soulful sounds of Freya — Noel Fudge on guitar & Martine Denbok on violin. Noel composed the oh-so-beautiful soundtrack to the film.
- Sample goodies wild-crafted with forest ingredients, and “Breathe The Forest” tea.
- Take in the exhibition of all 32 of my forest paintings
- I’ll speak briefly about the creation of the new book and film
- Filmmaker Isaac Carter — who took my script and made it into this stunningly beautiful film — will say a few words about its creation; as will Noel about the film’s music.
- Then we’ll show the film! A 1/2 hour long, this is a deep meditative dive into the forests of the Slocan Valley, exploring the beauty, the wonder, and the wisdom to be found there in the wild woods. As I say in the film: “Let’s revel in the Beauty of Nature, and ponder the Nature of Beauty …as we come to it in the forest.”
- After the film I will read a couple of passages from the new book, and answer any questions you may have.
- I’ll then be happy to linger and mingle and sign books — as we again are graced with the soft sounds of live background music by Freya.
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Columbia Basin Culture Tour:
Saturday & Sunday, August 10-11, 10:00-5:00
I will be in attendance at Kootenay Gallery throughout the weekend of the Culture Tour this year, surrounded by the exhibition of my paintings — with books, cards, prints and miniature original oil paintings for sale.
Needless to say I am over-the-top excited about all this and
can’t wait to share it all with you!
Kootenay Gallery
Located across the highway from the airport, next to the Doukhobor Discovery Centre.
120 Heritage Way, Castlegar BC
(250) 365-3337
kootenaygallery@telus.net
Past Events:
North Valley Mountain Film Festival
I’ve decided to hold off screening the full-length 1/2 hour film, On BEAUTY, As We Come To It In The FOREST, until officially launching it at Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar during my exhibition there this summer, August 7 – September 7. I’m planning an event there, likely the evening of Thursday August 8th (date to be confirmed) when both film and new book (Volume II SYLVAN REFLECTIONS) will be launched. (I reserve the right to change my mind again about a possible advance screening this, lol!)
But! Isaac (filmmaker) has made a 4 minute trailer for it —a gorgeous little film in its own right, and . . . drumroll please . . . this has been accepted into the North Valley Mountain Film Festival, this Saturday, March 2nd, 6:30pm in Silverton at the Memorial Hall. If you are local come on out to take this in, it will be a wonderful evening of many excellent films. Hope to see you there!
Click the picture to be taken to their website
Here’s what they say about the festival:
“Inspired by our mountain culture here in the North Slocan, a handful of local adventurers and wilderness lovers have been organizing the North Valley Mountain Film Festival since 2007. It is now an annual event thanks to community interest and support, and a committed group of volunteers. We are happy to bring you another fantastic evening of films and photography for our 18th mountain film festival.
This festival is inspired by what drew, and keeps, many of us here – the lake, mountains, wilderness, adventure, and simple healthy living. We seek to showcase a mix of professional and home-grown productions to bring awe, laughter, intrigue, and discussion to the community. We feature shows from local to regional, and sometimes from a little farther afield. Thanks to all the local folks for their submissions.
We look forward to seeing you there!”
~NVMFF
If you are not in the area though, and/or are unable to come out to the festival I still would love you to see this gorgeous little trailer, to whet your appetite for the full-length film coming this summer, so . . . I have uploaded it to my YouTube channel with a private link just for you!
Click to be taken to YouTube and the 4 minute trailer
Enjoy!
Columbia Basin Culture Tour
I’m so pleased to be a part of the 15th Annual Columbia Basin Culture Tour — the 7th Annual for me!
This year I will be in Silverton, at the Silverton Memorial Hall, 203 Lake Ave (Hwy 6), Silverton, BC (NOTE: This is a change of venue, previously listed as Slocan Lake Arts Centre). There will also be at least three other artist friends of mine there. Saturday & Sunday, July 29 & 30, 10am – 5pm
I’m excited to show you new paintings and new poetry.
Come find me!
PressRelease:
Winlaw Winter Wonderland
Presentations coming up:
-Kelowna Downtown Branch Library, 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna BC (250) 762-2800, Saturday November 2, 2:30pm.
SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings & Ponderings From the Forest
Artist Talk/Author Reading:
Come experience the beauty and wonder of nature in the West Kootenay forest through the eyes of artist/author/forest-walker Barbara Brown, as she shares her love of the forest where she lives in the Slocan Valley, and the inspiration and the healing that is to be found there.
A unique presentation combining readings from the author’s book, a display of her original oil paintings that inspired the book, and a short film describing the project.
-Creston Library, September 21, 3pm.
-Columbia Basin Culture Tour, August 10-11, 10am-5pm
-Grand Forks Library, Thursday July 25, 6:30pm
-Golden Library, Thursday May 23, 6pm.
-Kimberley Public Library, 112 Spokane St, Kimberley BC, (250) 427-3112, Thursday, Jan 31, 7pm.
-Trail & District Public Library, 1505 Bay Ave, Trail BC (250) 364-1731, Thursday Feb 21, 3pm.
-Salmo Valley Public Library, 106 4th St, Salmo BC (250) 357-2312, Wednesday Apr 3, 7pm.
Christmas Craft Faires 2018
Come and find me at the
Castlegar Christmas Craft Faire
this Sunday, December 2, 10-4
at Castlegar & District Recreation & Aquatic Centre,
2101 6th Ave, Castlegar BC.
OR
the following weekend on Saturday, December 8, 10 – 4 at the
Nelson Waldorf School Winter Faire
at 3648 SilverKing Ski Hill Road
(three minutes south of Nelson off Highway 6
– the road to Whitewater Ski Hill, Ymir, and Salmo).
RANDOM ACTS OF CREATIVITY in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday
This is going to be a very fun day all along the Rail Trail here in the Slocan Valley.
Come on out and join in the fun!
Sunday June 25th 10am – 4pm
I will be at the Perry Siding Trailhead, in the Threads Guild building with my paintings and books.
And I’ll be singing in the Vallican Whole Community Choir there as well, from 11am to noon.
RANDOM ACTS OF CREATIVITY TAKE OVER THE SLOCAN VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
On Sunday, June 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Slocan Valley Rail Trail will be the place to experience “Random Acts of Creativity”. The Slocan Valley Community Arts Council and the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society have formed a unique partnership on that day to celebrate Canada150. The day will involve recognizing our valley’s place in history, reaching from deep into our past up to the living history we create every day.
Two special live musical performances, displays of artists work, interactive creative art exploration, art installations and wilderness walks are just some of the wide range of activities which will be taking place around four ‘hubs’ along the 50 km long Rail Trail. Walk, dance, or ride your way along the route to take in the adventure of Slocan Valley living at its artistic finest. Of course, there’ll be plenty of Canada150 birthday cake along the way!
The northernmost hub of the event will be at the Owl Park, just outside of the Village of Slocan. From 10:30 to noon, the Slocan Valley Early Childhood Society and CBAL will be hosting a Storywalk and activities for children. Of course, there will be cake as well and don’t be surprised if you see some local art work on display.
Further south, the next hub will be at the Perrys Siding Trailhead and the Threads Guild Building where you’ll find the Vallican Whole Choir at 11 a.m. performing a selection of classic Canadiana songs such as Land of the Silver Birch and sing-along favourites. As well, an art installation will be erected and there will be displays of pottery, paintings and books by area artists to enjoy.
Continuing south, the Winlaw Station Trailhead will be a busy place. Located across from Winlaw School, the Slocan Valley Community Band will be playing their final performance of the season at 1 p.m. As well the Slocan Historical Society will also be there, dressed in period costume, with an information table sharing what they’ve discovered about our valley. A Sand Sculpture will be on display along with the work of several artists.
Just north of Winlaw, opposite Winlaw Nature Park, students from Winlaw School will have created a large Wildflower mural. Make sure to check it out! And just south of Winlaw, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,there will be an information display of the Stream Restoration Project being developed by the Slocan Valley Streamkeepers at the Crooked Horn Farm.
Along the trail, in the Slocan Park area, you will find a pottery display and Plein Air painting.
The southernmost ‘hub’ of Random Acts of Creativity is at the Crescent Valley Trailhead. Kids will be making Forest Walk Bracelets and a Community Interactive Nature Art Project will be on-going.
It’ll be a busy day, with much to experience! A limited number of event maps will be at several locations throughout the Valley to help you on your way, or you can visit www.slocanvalleyrailtrail.ca or the Rail Trail Facebook page to find a copy of the map to help plan your adventure.
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The Slocan Valley Rail Trail offers easy non-motorized access to 50km of scenery through one of the most beautiful river valleys in British Columbia.
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The event has been made possible with support from the Columbia Basin Trust, Heritage Credit Union and the Slocan Valley Community Arts Council as well as the tireless work of a large group of volunteers.
The book is out!! Available through my Etsy Shop, and at local shops
SYLVAN REFLECTIONS:
Wanderings, Paintings and Ponderings
from the Forest
The book is available through my Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BarbaraBrownArtist
and they are available locally:
in Nelson at:
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- Otter Books 398 Baker St
- Gaia Rising 356 Baker St
- Booksmyth 338 Baker St
- Touchstones 502 Vernon St
- Nelson Visitor Centre 91 Baker St.
in Castlegar at:
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- Kootenay Gallery 120 Heritage Way
- Yes, Please! 277 Columbia Ave
- Dragonflies & Fairy Dust 1502 Columbia Ave.
in Trail at:
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- Crockett Books in Waneta Mall
in New Denver at:
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- Raven’s Nest, Main St
and at the Nelson, Castlegar, Trail and Slocan libraries
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West Kootenay Book Launch Tour:
I will be giving a presentation at the Slocan Community Library
Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 1pm.
I’d love to see you there!
PRESS RELEASE: Everyone is invited to a unique presentation combining visual art, love of nature, contemplative thought, and spiritual connection. This is a book launch unlike any other. “SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings and Ponderings from the Forest” is Barbara Brown’s first-ever, self-published book. The artist/writer will be on hand throughout the event to read from her book and to discuss why she chose this way to share her deep love of nature. Her paintings will be on display, and she will present a beautiful short film that tells the story of how her book came to be. Every day Barbara walks in her forest ~ and steps into a world of subtle beauty and transcendent splendour. For her, the trees and bushes simply glow with life and spirit. “I look at all this around me,” she says, “and I wonder: ‘Is this just for me?’ ” Gradually she realized she needed to share her vision. Remarkably, with her art she makes it possible for you and me to see the forest through her eyes. It will never look the same again. Barbara is no stranger to Kootenay residents and travellers since for many years, as Raven Creations, she produced the widely-distributed annual West Kootenay, Nelson and Castlegar maps. Now she has taken the skills gained throughout these years to make a dream come true and to present her art to the world. This beautifully designed book features 16 original oil paintings as well as numerous other illustrations and musings on the forest. It is also enriched with nature lore and inspirational quotes from some of the writer’s favourite muses. There are even three pages you can download and colour yourself. This is a book you will pick up again and again. “Come, let’s go for a walk together, in the forest…” says Barbara. Yes, come. You’ll be glad you did. |
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Financial support for the creation of the book SYLVAN REFLECTIONS is gratefully acknowledged: Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance and Slocan Valley Community Arts Council
Columbia Basin Culture Tour 2016
I’m excited to invite you to come this weekend to see me and my paintings and book project: SYLVAN REFLECTIONS: Wanderings, Paintings and Ponderings from the Forest, as part of the Columbia Basin Culture Tour www.cbculturetour.com.
I’ll be showing at Venue #49 of the Tour, Crescent Valley Hall (on Hwy 6 beside the Fire Hall) with about a dozen other Slocan Valley Arts Council artists ~ beautiful work ~ well worth the trip ~ this Saturday and Sunday, August 13 – 14 from 10am – 5pm.
I’d love to see you, and . . . you’ll be glad you came to see all the talent that’s going to be in Crescent Valley Hall those two days!
With many thanks to the Slocan Valley Arts Council and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance for their generous support.
For Tour info: www.cbculturetour.com 250.505.5505 1.877.505.7355
“Explore artists’ studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites through this free, self-guided tour. Meet the artists, shop for fine art and craft, view demonstrations, special exhibits, interpretive displays or chat with local historians during this two-day cultural celebration!”