Art, culture and heritage in Castlegar, British Columbia

Culture Guide

Our Culture Guide is your key to discovering the people, places and activities that enable our cultural climate to flourish. These are the individual threads that, when woven together, create the fabric of Castlegar's everyday life.

Be inspired by the wealth of creative talent and artistic excellence of the artists, artisans & performers that colour our community. Find one-of-a-kind items with distinct local flavour or learn about those who exhibit and perform at local cultural events.

Explore the exceptional attractions & activities that enhance our quality of life and make Castlegar a fun, unique and interesting place to live. With such an abundance of things to do and places to see, there is always an opportunity to participate in community life, connect with our neighbours and experience local culture firsthand.

Meet the many clubs & organizations that serve as the foundation for Castlegar’s cultural community; the structural base that supports and encourages a healthy and active cultural environment. These are the people who initiate conversations, generate ideas, offer opportunities, make decisions, provide recommendations, administer programs, facilitate activities and organize events to ensure that art, culture and heritage remains a priority in our community.


Apsara Hoops

Apsara Hoops

I began hoop-dancing back in 2008 when I still lived in Vancouver. I was addicted right away and found myself practicing at least an hour a day in my living room.

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BC Old Time Fiddlers #9 Kootenays

BC Old Time Fiddlers #9 Kootenays

We are a branch of the BC Old Time Fiddlers called Kootenay No. 9. Formed in Castlegar in 1981, we are a non-profit organization with members from all around the Kootenays.

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Blueberry Creek Community School Society

Blueberry Creek Community School Society

Blueberry Creek Community School Society, established in 1997, is a charitable non-profit that runs the Blueberry Creek Community School Hub.

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Boardwalk Woodworking

Boardwalk Woodworking

I live in a creative universe and it flows through me. My fascination with the mysteries of the history, and present state of mankind, presents itself in the inner landscapes transformed to the printed surface.

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Brilliant Suspension Bridge

Brilliant Suspension Bridge

The Brilliant Suspension Bridge is the main attraction of the Brilliant Bridge Regional Park, which also includes an observation platform, and is included in the Trans Canada Trail.

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Canada Photographic Arts Society

Canada Photographic Arts Society

Wildlife and Landscape photography, Photojournalism, Photographic arts education, Videography.

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Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce

Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber of Commerce provides an organization of members (businesses) to create a climate where not only our members but also the community as a whole prospers.

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Castlegar & District Heritage Society

Castlegar & District Heritage Society

The Castlegar & District Heritage Society operates with the objective of maintaining properties, buildings and artifacts of historical significance in the City of Castlegar and the surrounding area.

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Castlegar & District Public Library

Castlegar & District Public Library

Your place in the community to explore, create and share information and ideas

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Castlegar & District Recreation Department

Castlegar & District Recreation Department

The Castlegar & District Recreation Department is responsible for public recreation facilities and regional parks in Castlegar and RDCK Areas I & J.

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Castlegar Art Walk

Castlegar Art Walk

Immerse yourself in the vibrant artistic tapestry of Castlegar with Art Walk! This unique self-guided walking tour transforms local businesses into micro-galleries, showcasing the diverse talents of our community's artists.

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Castlegar Arts Council

Castlegar Arts Council

Cultivating accessible creative connections within our community, the Castlegar Arts Council strives to support arts and culture, fostering an environment where individuals can freely create, connect, and celebrate diverse expressions.

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Castlegar Garden & Nature Fest

Castlegar Garden & Nature Fest

The Castlegar Communities in Bloom and the Castlegar Garden Club partner to sponsor this open-air fest that takes place annually in May. The prime focus is the abundance of local gardening talent and nature resources.

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Castlegar Garden Club

Castlegar Garden Club

The Castlegar Garden Club was founded in 1996, but began unofficially five years earlier by a group of avid gardeners gathering around a kitchen table. Bob Switzer (1915-2007) provided the original spark.

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Castlegar Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

Castlegar Garden Club Annual Plant Sale

The Castlegar Garden Club's Annual Plant Sale takes place each year on the first Saturday in May at the Station Museum. This annual harbinger of spring beguiles with a dazzling preview of summer’s promise.

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Castlegar Parks & Trails Society

Castlegar Parks & Trails Society

Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails Society (2001) is a federally-registered charity and provincially registered society; Society number is S-0043609.

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Castlegar Sculpturewalk

Castlegar Sculpturewalk

Castlegar Sculpturewalk is a year-long outdoor walking tour showcasing over thirty outdoor sculptures in Castlegar's downtown core.

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Castlegar Sunfest

Castlegar Sunfest

Castlegar Sunfest is held annually on the first weekend of June.

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Castlegar Sunrise 2000 Rotary Club Wine Festival

Castlegar Sunrise 2000 Rotary Club Wine Festival

This semi-formal event provides a wonderful opportunity to sample BC wines.

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CDCSS Youth Program

CDCSS Youth Program

The Castlegar & District Community Service Society Youth Program is open to any youth in the District ages 12-19 interested in creating activities and events for youth in the community.

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Christmas at the Gallery

Christmas at the Gallery

Kootenay Gallery's annual Christmas Exhibit and Sale featuring more than 100 regional artists.

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Columbia Basin Culture Tour

Columbia Basin Culture Tour

Meet people behind the scenes at galleries and museums, visit studios and venues not normally open to the public, shop for original art or fine crafts, and experience special events planned for a summer weekend.

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Doukhobor Discovery Centre

Doukhobor Discovery Centre

This enjoyable and unique museum is nestled in a beautiful historic setting on the banks of the Columbia River on traditional Doukhobor orchard land near the original settlement of 1908.

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Dreamscape Studio

Dreamscape Studio

I used to watch my mother sew for hours. She taught me to sew at the age of 7; I immediately loved it and continued making doll clothes.

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Fiddletree Pottery Studio

Fiddletree Pottery Studio

Rob's potting grew from a desire to add something warm and uplifting to the cold, dark winters he spent in Yellowknife from 1990 to 2004.

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Kootenay Fiddle, Guitar & Piano Workshop

Kootenay Fiddle, Guitar & Piano Workshop

From novice to professional, this annual workshop helps people of all abilities improve their fiddle, guitar and/or piano skills.

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Kootenay Gallery of Art

Kootenay Gallery of Art

The Kootenay Gallery is a public art gallery serving the entire West Kootenay Region where national and regional artists showcase their work.

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Lola Sherstobitoff

Lola Sherstobitoff

I am a lifetime resident of beautiful Kootenay country. Photography became my passion fifteen years ago when I retired from Selkirk College in Castlegar.

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Mary Kate Woodward

Mary Kate Woodward

My preferred artistic language is line though I am also a printmaker. Drawing is a direct method of communicating with viewers, often more quickly and intuitively than by speech.

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Mirja Vahala

Mirja Vahala

My family is a maker of things, so creating art as a young child felt very natural. From the time I saw a babysitter's sketchbook and was inspired to draw, to my degree in graphic design and visual arts from Kwantlen College University, artwork has marked the peaks and valleys of my life.

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Mirja Vahala Art Studio

Mirja Vahala Art Studio

The purpose of the Mirja Vahala Art Studio is to inspire participants to reach new levels of creative expression and artistic skill.

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Motes & Oats

Motes & Oats

Motes & Oats is a duo known for powerful harmonies and feel good songs.

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Muddy Tutu Organized Grime & Garden Art

Muddy Tutu Organized Grime & Garden Art

Castlegar artist/gardener Kari Burk was born in 1962 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, 1986 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and has 20 years of dance/movement training with EDAM, Anna Wyman Dance, Steve Paxton and Odette Slater.

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Pass Creek Exhibition Society

Pass Creek Exhibition Society

The Pass Creek Exhibition Society started with the dream of bringing quality family events to the community in 1995; for more than 20 years we have realized our goals with numerous successful events.

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Pass Creek Fall Fair

Pass Creek Fall Fair

The Pass Creek Fall Fair is interaction between the public and all the wonderful experiences the event has to offer including an antique car show, dog show, horse show and more.

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Portuguese Social Centre Association

Portuguese Social Centre Association

The Portuguese Social Centre Association was incorporated as a society in 1978. Its purpose is to establish, maintain, operate and carry on activities of a cultural, social and educational nature for its members.

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Riverstone Yarns

Riverstone Yarns

Riverstone Yarns are dyed by hand in the Kootenays using wool and wool blend fibres in exclusive colours such as; Rocky Mountain, Lupine and Wild Iris for a one-of-a-kind fibre crafting experience.

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Rosemary Manarin

Rosemary Manarin

I am visual artist who was born and raised primarily on Vancouver Island. My early memories include walking through lush forests and along the beaches. These experiences seeded my appreciation of nature and inspiration to paint.

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Salmo Metal Art Studio

Salmo Metal Art Studio

We craft railings, gates and custom metal work.

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Sandra Donohue

Sandra Donohue

Weaving has been my passion since 1974. I've been painting since 1997, beginning with watercolour, and absolutely loving it, never thinking I would want to paint in any other media. Of course, things change when one sees the possibilities that acrylics, pastels, and oil can do.

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Selkirk College

Selkirk College

Selkirk College provides an accessible post-secondary experience that prepares talented and effective citizens for fulfilling careers perfectly meshed for today's in-demand job market.

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Selkirk Weavers

Selkirk Weavers' & Spinners' Guild

This non-profit organization fosters the art and craft of weaving and spinning, mentors the skills and development of beginning weavers, and encourages achievement of high standards in members' work.

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Selkirk Weavers

Selkirk Weavers' & Spinners' Guild Annual Exhibit and Sale

The Selkirk Weavers' & Spinners' Guild hosts an annual sale and exhibit every November.

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Selkirk Weavers

Selkirk Weavers' & Spinners' Guild Gift Shop

The Selkirk Weavers' & Spinners' Guild Studio Gift Shop houses a beautiful selection of handcrafted works. Visitors enjoy talking to the weavers as they demonstrate the traditional art of weaving and spinning.

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Station Museum

Station Museum

Castlegar's Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Museum is housed in a century old station, one of the best preserved in the province.

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Summer at the Skatepark

Summer at the Skatepark

Kootenay Family Place's Summer at the Skatepark invites you to free drop skateboard coaching at Castlegar Rotary Skatepark each summer through the months of July and August.

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Terri Austin-Beech

Terri Austin-Beech

I am a watercolour artist and hobby farm operator. I have been painting in watercolours and other media for 30 years.

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Thrums Logic: Art and Design

Thrums Logic: Art and Design

I love to collect new and used beads, art glass, shell, and semi-precious stones from all over the world for my jewellery creations.

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Turning Pointe Dance Studio

Turning Pointe Dance Studio

Why choose dance at Turning Pointe? For quality and experienced instructors, a variety of dance styles, classes from ages 3 to adult, a year end recital, competitive dance opportunities and happy & healthy kids!

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Twin Rivers Community Choir

Twin Rivers Community Choir

The Twin Rivers Community Choir is Castlegar's community choir, a group of enthusiastic singers from all backgrounds and abilities.

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Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ

Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ

The Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ (USCC) is a registered Canadian charitable society dedicated to the sustainability and enrichment of our Doukhobor heritage, our culture and our spiritual values and beliefs.

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USCC Cultural Interpretive Society

USCC Cultural Interpretive Society

Cultural Preservation in a Contemporary Setting: The Cultural Interpretive Society is a non-profit group of Doukhobor women and friends dedicated to the preservation and celebration of traditional Doukhobor fibre arts and crafts.

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USCC Cultural Interpretive Society Gift Shop

USCC Cultural Interpretive Society Gift Shop

The dedicated volunteers at the Cultural Interpretive Society create fun and one-of-a-kind unique items for our Gift Shop, all within a very reasonable price range.

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USCC Kootenay Men

USCC Kootenay Men's Group

The Kootenay Men's Group is a non-profit group of USCC volunteers and friends interested in creative woodworking projects and community service.

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Verigin Memorial Park

Verigin Memorial Park

The Verigin Memorial Park is an important historical Doukhobor burial site and flower garden; a tranquil place with spectacular scenic views of the Kootenay and Columbia River Valleys, overlooking the Brilliant Dam and the historic Brilliant Bridge to the east, the Castlegar Airport to the south and Selkirk College and the city of Castlegar to the west.

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West Kootenay Camera Club

West Kootenay Camera Club

The West Kootenay Camera Club is alive and well, serving camera enthusiasts for over 20 years. The club was originated by local photography hobbyists Ken Ferch and Kevin Underwood in 1989.

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West Kootenay Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists

West Kootenay Chapter of the Federation of Canadian Artists

The West Kootenay Chapter of the FCA (WKCFCA) was formed in 2001 by 30 area artists whose work had reached the juried standard for acceptance into shows at the Granville Island gallery.

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West Kootenay Family Historians Society

West Kootenay Family Historians Society

Formed in 1988, the West Kootenay Family Historians Society exists to assist members and the public in tracing their family tree and preserving the stories of ancestors.

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West Kootenay Trade Show

West Kootenay Trade Show

The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce hosts the West Kootenay Trade Show annually in April.

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WKCC Photo Show

WKCC Photo Show

The West Kootenay Camera Club Photo Show is an annual juried event of photographic art for both members and non-members alike.

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Woodworkingal

Woodworkingal

I have been doing woodwork since 1990. It all started when my mom wanted to work in the shop with my dad; he was an avid woodworker.

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Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park

Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park

On the river shore take a walk around our Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park and discover a heritage of human and natural history unique within the Columbia River Valley.

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