Eye on the Esplanade: Art in Motion
By CANDACE LUNDRIGAN on September 7, 2023.
Medicine Hat is unique for a city of its size. Hatters throughout time had to have an industrious and enterprising nature to create our vibrant and prosperous city. Our oasis in the prairie was far enough away from large city centres that our early community members had to pull together to create their own arts and entertainment. Where there is a will there is a way! Today we are a community of choice, where people come to live, work and play. We boast top class recreation and leisure facilities and there is no shortage of creativity, charming cafes and culture to explore! Art is an expression of the human experience. It is something that can connect us together. Art is varied and comes in many forms. Art is impactful and can put many things into motion. What better banner under which to create a community festival? Art in Motion is about coming together, celebrating our community’s talents and achievements, and recognizing our vibrant cultural fabric. At Art in Motion you’ll see a showcase of talented skaters or get in on the action and take part in skate school with Cousins Skateboard Community (in partnership with Medicine Hat Skateboard Association), a group of friends and allies who want to see skateboarding used to empower youth within indigenous communities. You can paint with local graffiti artist and Mural Fest organizer Jeff Goring and enjoy a sampling of the artistic talent their festival amplifies every July when it gives a platform to artists both locally and across the country. Visit Towne Square and connect with our friends from Medicine Hat Public Library, as well as numerous other not-for-profits that help support our community. You’ll find The Mustard Seed there hosting activities and entertainment like live music, magician Trevor Moore, market vendors, kids crafts, as well as handing out tasty treats! Join in our collaborative paint by numbers window mural at the Esplanade then take a spin at our Pendulum Painting station creating colourful works of art! Add some colour to First Street as you create your own temporary chalk art masterpiece with the help of Painter Girl and our Art Instructor Candice! Catch a captivating cultural performance on the outdoor stage at SHINE, a showcase of music and dance presented by Saamis Immigration. SHINE is sure to sparkle with the vibrant costumes, creativity, and talent on display from our own backyard. Embrace the energy of creativity and connect with artists and fellow art enthusiasts in our vibrant community. Explore techniques and mediums for creative expression through clay, wood, paint, fabric, glass, physical movement and much more. Play with movement as you Hula from the Heart with Pop-up Parks or get bold, bright, and messy with pigment and water blasters at our Colour Blast Zone – don’t forget to wear white! Help add to and then play in our Sensory Fort with our Arts Instructor Julie. Take creativity to new heights as you watch demonstrations by Sway Aerial Fitness. Play in the Sensory Bus with Sensational Path. Be on the lookout for roving entertainment from jugglers, stilt walkers and flo performers. Festivals are all about fun, so we have fan favourites like food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, glitter tattoos, and much more! When the sun goes down enjoy more performing arts with a free rock concert with local band Snakes and the Riot opening for Hawksley Workman plus the beer garden is right there to quench your thirst! This is more than an event – it’s an experience that will spark inspiration and celebrate the beauty of expression in all its forms! For the first year ever, Medicine Hat is hosting the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Art Awards in the Esplanade from 4-6 p.m., recognizing and celebrating distinguished and emerging artists of Alberta! Mark your calendars and spread the word! Let’s come together to make Art in Motion a canvas of joy and a masterpiece of togetherness. Candace Lundrigan is Cultural Programs Coordinator at the Esplanade 22-21
