Members of Nakusp’s art community — painters, poets, actors, musicians and the like — are putting the final touches on their projects for this weekend’s Art Party.
The party with a secret plan.
“But we won’t even know what the secret plan is ‘till it happens,” admits Nakusp sculptor Kate Tupper.
Tupper is one of the founders of Art Party — a biannual festival of visual and performing arts in the village.
The fourth Party takes place in just two days’ time. The theme is ‘Glitter Gangsters’ and participants are welcome to interpret the theme in any way they like. Tupper’s own definition is, well, fluid.
“The idea is it’s really dark out, it’s getting darker all the time, and we need something to brighten things up,” she says.
“It’s kind of like a bad-ass sparkly dance party.”
The event this time around mirrors past parties, with a combination of performance art, collaborative visual art, displays, music and beer, taking advantage of the multiple spaces around the Old Firehall.
“So there’s a big room with a stage in it, and that’s kind of like the dancing area,” says Tupper. “Then there’s a back room with visual art and a bar where you can visit and get a drink.
“Upstairs we have “go art yourself,” a dress-up and face-painting area. You can borrow outfits and get your face painted.”
“We have some surprises as well, they are really fun.”
The fun doesn’t just start at the doors. Outside the firehall, there are more sites, perhaps for the slightly more introverted.
“We have another bar outside, a couple of teepees put together for a lounge where people can jam together if they want to, or just hang out,” she said. Fire-pits will help keep party-goers warm in the unpredictable November weather.
The whole event is meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to express themselves.
“Everyone is an artist,” said Tupper. “If somebody wants to bring a guitar or something, and they didn’t want to sign up to perform but wanted to collaborate, there’s a space to do that.”
The party is developing into a new institution in Nakusp — a chance to create and celebrate art and artists in the community. Though its only on its fourth iteration, Tupper says you can see the importance growing.
“People really put their heart into it, our whole crew, and the volunteers who show up to work on it, everyone works hard to provide a quality thing,” she said. “And we’re doing it at a time of year where there’s nothing really else going on and we want to bring business into town.”
“There’s all of a sudden people making stuff and sharing stuff that never would have, and it grows the community.”
And that indeed may be the secret agenda of Art Party.
“It would be great to attract people to move here,” she says. “I think that’s the secret plan for our group — if we attract more artists and they check it out, would they maybe want to relocate here? It could maybe grow something like that, it would be cool.”
The Art Party’s also used as a fundraiser. The first event was to help raise money for Tupper to finish a project. Last time it was to help the Legion put a mural on a wall. This time, the organizers of the event want it to become self-supporting.
“So what we are trying to do is get a nest-egg so that it supports itself, so no one is taking a risk,” said Tupper, who’s bankrolled the party to this point. “So it doesn’t matter if we hold one and 12 people show up, we don’t have to worry.”
It’s not likely a concern. The first Party expected a dozen and attracted more than 150 people. Every one since has been a near sell-out.
The Party begins at 7 p.m. at the Old Firehall, with a focus on the visual arts. The focus shifts to music, dance, and performance as the night progresses. Tickets are still available around town.
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