Autumn Update
Heading in to Autumn, after another summer of inspiration.
An amazing summer of exploring, finding inspiration in the West Kootenay area and beyond, we are always astonished by the majestic beauty found in nature (west kootenay waterfall) as well as how small we really are, feeling the full force of Mother Nature (with a raging wildfire season) this summer.
Undaunted, our creative lives were full, holding workshops, and hosting gatherings & residencies at the Centre. We are eager to launch in to fall to start new work and host artist residencies.
The centre is all ready to go for our first fall Artist-in-residence. First up is the Wood Gundy and Hidden Creek sponsored Artist residency, for Martha Stokoe, through the Nelson and District Arts Council. We can’t wait to see what she is inspired to do, with her week at the centre. Truly imaginative, meticulous attention to detail and uniquely fascinating to look at, her paintings require one's undivided attention just to observe everything!
Painting by Martha Stokoe. We are excited to host Martha, giving her the space and time to focus on her creative talents. Thank you CIBC Wood Gundy!
What we’re reading now: Emily Nilsen’s book of poems: Otolith.
Emily Nilsen was born and raised in Vancouver and now resides in Nelson. She stayed at Hidden Creek Arts centre two years ago. She used the time there to finish up edits, before launching her new book of poems. We are thrilled to be reading Otolith. The imagery she conjures up for the reader, and the depth of her words are both haunting and inspirational. A must read. From Goose Lane Editions: "Otolith - the ear stone - is a series of bones that help us to orient ourselves in space. In Otolith, Emily Nilsen attempts a similar feat in poetry: to turn the reader's attention to their relationship to the world, revealing an intertidal state between the rootedness of place and the uncertainty and tenuousness of human connection. Born in the fecundity of British Columbia's coastal rainforest, these poems are full of life and decay; they carry the odours of salmon rivers and forests of fir; salal growing in the fogbound mountain slopes. This astonishing debut, at once spare and lush, displays an exquisite lyricism built on musical lines and mature restraint. Nilsen turns over each idea carefully, letting nothing escape her attention and saying no more than must be said. Combining a scientist's precision and a poet's sensitivity, Otolith examines the ache of nostalgia in the relentless passage of time.”
Winner, 2018 League of Canadian Poets Gerald Lampert Memorial Award Longlisted, 2018 League of Canadian Poets Pat Lowther Memorial Award
The weather is getting colder, the elderberries are out, and the bears are fattening up. With a new season, comes renewed hope and rain to put out the wildfires in our province. Stay safe and keep creating.
