SURREY — What makes a person decide to become an artist, a dancer, a musician, a teacher, or anything else for that matter? It is one of life's difficult tasks to find something you can do, love to do, and perhaps can make a living at it - eventually. Finding a career in the cultural sector is not always a straightforward task. How do you even know what opportunities are out there?
Surrey Museum is hosting a cultural career conference for youth. This free interactive conference is an opportunity for local youth to gain a better understanding of careers available to them in the arts and heritage fields. Find out if you would like to work in a museum, or have a career in the visual or performing arts. This cultural careers conference is for people age 16 to 20 and happens on Feb. 8 at the museum, located in Cloverdale. The deadline for registration is Jan. 31, so the time is short to make a decision, and space is definitely limited. Information on conference workshops can be found at www.surrey.ca/heritageyouth. To register for this interactive and free oneday conference, phone 604-592-6956. Take advantage of this great opportunity.
CONGRATS, TIBBITS
"An artist must be able to create significant imagery with the simplest of tools, otherwise the artist is a slave to technology."
This is one of artist Jim Adams' favourite quotes. He said it himself and I can see how this thought has influenced and inspired his legion of students he has mentored over 40 years.
Adams is almost a celebrity in Surrey. He was chair of the Festival of the Arts when it made its final bow - in Surrey - and has also been designated as one of Surrey's Civic Treasures. His retirement as a fine arts professor at Kwantlen should have given him some free time to do other things now, like paint.
Adams also apparently reads this column and sent me a request. He said, "I would appreciate it if you would pass on my congratulations to Daniel (Tibbits) for me. He is a former student of mine at Kwantlen and I'm glad to see that he's doing so well. Forward my congratulations."
Tibbits was the subject of last week's column and is now considered "an artist to collect" by a noted art magazine. So, Daniel your prof is proud of you, and Jim, I forwarded the message. Now everyone knows what treasures we have in our community.
'TALES AND TREASURES' For textile and costume artists, the Society of the Museum of Original Costumes (SMOC) is a fascinating organization. Not only is SMOC devoted to establishing a permanent museum for historical and ethnic costume and textiles in Vancouver, it also offers educational fashion lectures, shows and events.
The group's next event is "Tales and Treasures from the SMOC Collection," on Sunday, Jan. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hycroft ballroom, 1489 McRae Ave., Vancouver. Tickets range from $10 to $22; you will be treated to highlights of the very best and most fascinating of the collection's recent acquisitions - you know, history through fashion. Tickets are available online at www.smoc.ca and also at the door. We weren't always livin' in blue jeans and yoga pants. Go figure.
melminty@telus.net