Light Up The Night & Arts On The Avenue

The iconic Ladysmith event Arts on the Avenue is back and celebrating its 24th year! Over two days residents and tourists will come together on First Avenue to shop local arts and explore local community groups and businesses. The weekend kicks off with Light up the Night, a popular evening out on the town to browse local arts vendors, listen to live music, cheer on our competitors in the paint competition, eat good food and dance the night away with The Del Rio Band. Arts on the Avenue is a juried original art show and sale, celebrating visual and performing arts, while offering demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. Featuring artists from up and down the island and Gulf Islands, visitors can browse and shop a variety of works including pottery, jewelry, indigenous made art, metal work, fiber art, leatherwork, glass, paintings, woodwork and much more. Arts on the Avenue will also include arts demonstrations and live music. Both days will have a kids art tent for young creators to take part in art projects, story time and banner painting. With over 6, 000 attendees in the past, this day will feature guest artist Coco Jones from the Cowichan Valley. A self taught artist, Coco works with paint on canvas where her art style is often described as a form of abstract expressionism. Drawn to nature, dreams, meditation and ceremony in her creative process, her work hopes to remind people that love, community and art are at the center of all things and their importance during difficult times can impact us all greatly. View Coco’s work and meet her in person under the big white tent. Hosted by the Arts Council of Ladysmith and District, these events will take place on First Avenue, from Buller Street to Warren Street in downtown Ladysmith. Light up The Night takes place on Saturday August 27 from 6:00pm-9:30pm and Arts On The Avenue will run from 10am-4pm on Sunday August 28. For more information and a full list of vendors and artists, visit our website at http://www.artsontheavenue.ca/