Art In The Park Event Thrilled The Community

Greg Haslehurst with his beautiful Enchanted Forest photography that he offers. All props, dresses, wings is supplied for the session; you just need to bring the magic. Photos Lorna Hamilton

The eagerly awaited annual Art in the Park event has concluded, leaving in its wake a day filled with artistic exploration and community engagement. Hosted by The Goodlife Institute and predominantly sponsored by Inter Pipeline, the event took place on September 9 at Vermilion Heritage Park, located at 5320-50th Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From left, Inter Pipeline representatives- Dave Child, Corey Gabruck, Elizabeth Wilkins, and Brooke Kenyon.

This year’s event featured an outdoor artisan market with over 20 vendors who showcased a diverse range of creations available for browsing and purchase. From intricate sculptures to handcrafted jewelry, attendees enjoyed an array of unique pieces that celebrated creativity.

In addition to the vendor market, attendees were treated to a complimentary lunch, including delicious cinnamon buns courtesy of Inter Pipeline. Throughout the day there were long lineups to receive the lunch prepared by Lasting Impressions Catering and free cinnamon buns that were baked in the community oven by Toland Cochrane.

The event’s atmosphere was further enhanced with live musical entertainment made possible by funding from the Alberta Culture Days grant, and a bouncy castle by Parkview Alliance.

For those interested in a hands-on experience, artist Monica To led two art creation classes. The morning session, titled “Morning Masterpieces,” ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., while the afternoon session, “Coffee and Canvases,” took place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. These classes were available for a fee of $35 plus GST, and provided all necessary art supplies and instruction. Pre-registration was required for participation and the classes were a great success.

Some of the attendees concentrating on their pieces of art.

Art in the Park wasn’t just about art and entertainment. The event also featured the Mobile Prostate Cancer Centre, The Man Van, courtesy of Inter Pipeline. This initiative offered men the opportunity to undergo a simple PSA blood test, and if over the age of 40 they also received a stress check, glucose check, and blood pressure check emphasizing the importance of proactive health monitoring.

As the event unfolded, the excitement was palpable, and Art in the Park truly exemplified Vermilion’s spirit of creativity and unity.

“The day celebrated both the arts and the community. I would like to thank the many volunteers who assisted me pre-event and during the event, many hands make events like this possible,” said The Goodlife Institute’s Paige Jaremco, looking back on the successful event.