KAGAWONG— 4elements Living Arts has plenty planned for the summer months, beginning this weekend with River School – Session 1.
Sophie Edwards, 4elements executive director, explained that 4e has created a collaborative partnership with Manitoulin Streams while that organization is in the process of rehabilitating the Kagawong River.
For the June River School, this Saturday, June 27, adults and children are encouraged to create a piece of art, either on canvas or fabric made available by 4elements, which will then be framed in a hoop and hung along the Kagawong River trail for all to enjoy. On Monday, 11 students from Lakeview School visited the 4e studio to create their river art. The works must have something to do with the Kagawong River, be it history, a memory, an experience—as long as it’s river-related. The art will hang from June 29 until July 2 and will likely be hung again during Kagawong’s Summerfest.
This Thursday 4elements is happy to announce the opening of an exhibit of new works by Manitoulin artist Mark Seabrook from 7 to 9 pm.
In July 4elements and Manitoulin Streams are again working together to put on Creative Stream Detective—an arty twist on the traditional Stream Detective program that sees youths aged seven to 12 investigating watershed life. This is set to take place July 22 to 24 in Kagawong from 1 to 4 pm at a cost of only $15 a day.
While walking the river trail, hikers may catch a glimpse of Thunder Bay artist Michael Belmore who is creating a river sculpture out of granite, which will be strategically placed in the Kagawong River (under the watchful eye of Manitoulin Streams) as part of the rehabilitation work.
With the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission top of mind, 4elements is also partnering with Social Enterprise Evolution, based out of Sault Ste. Marie, to hold a paddle lab. Young people aged 14 to 24, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, are encouraged to attend the lab which will involved paddling and discussion on reconciliation and creating a new story for Canada’s First Nation people and their neighbours. The paddle lab is Thursday, July 16 from 9 am to 4 pm.
Each Saturday in July elemental yoga is being offered at both Providence Bay and Kagawong at the bandshell from 10 to 11 am. The cost is $15 for drop-in or $48 for four sessions.
For more information on 4elements, visit their website at 4elementslivingarts.org.