Unique native art will be sold through the Indigenous Art Trail initiative set to get underway in the Thompson Okanagan Tourist region in March, 2020.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED /TOTA
November 17, 2019 - 6:00 AM
In July, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Indigenous Tourism British Columbia began collaborating on a new and unique program to assist indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan with tourism development.
The initiative - the Indigenous Artisans Trail - reached a new stage earlier this week with the unveiling of the Indigenous Artisans Trail trailer, a mobile space created to house indigenous artwork to be offered for sale to the travelling public.
Indigenous Art manager Amanda Adams says the trailer, which was launched on Wednesday, Nov. 13, is nearly complete.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is working with the region’s First Nations to produce items for sale in the trailer, which will travel throughout the region, starting in March.
“Our main goal is to promote, focus and educate the public on the work of interior Salish artisans,” Adams says.
Native art produced for the Indigenous Art Trail initiative.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED /TOTA
The tourism agency will be working with the Secwépemc, Nlaka’pamux and Sylix Nations artisans to fill the trailer with handmade artwork.
She expects to have the trailer completed by the end of January, 2020, following which the unit will hit the road, travelling to two communities where any kinks will be worked out.
“The items sold will be hand made Salish art. Not all pieces are alike, so there is uniqueness to each one. They aren’t just gifts, the buyer will be getting a piece of our culture and our story with each item,” she says.
Adams says the trailer can be booked by parties interested in having the trailer on hand for local events.
Those wishing to book it should call Adams at 778-721-5519, email her at iart@totabc.com or visit the new website at iart-gallery.com
The International Indigenous Tourism conference was held in Kelowna earlier this week, where an indigenous tourism accord was signed by the B.C. government and Indigenous Tourism BC on Nov. 14.
Indigenous art items are unique, hand made and one of a kind.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED /TOTA
To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019