Bear Creek Folk Festival line-up revealed
The Bear Creek Folk Festival will be taking over Borstad Hill at Muskoseepi Park this summer from Aug. 14 to 16.
The festival revealed its lineup of performers for this year’s festival, including headliners Tom Cochrane, Tenille Townes, The Trews (acoustic), and The War and Treaty.
Additional acts include Fred Penner, Alex Cuba, The Milk Carton Kids, and Katie Pruitt. For the full list, visit bearcreekfolkfest.org.
AFA funding increase
Funding for the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) increased by $3.5 million for a total budget of $38.1 million in 2026.
The announcement came with the provincial budget announcement on Feb. 26.
“Local communities and local economies are enriched by the arts,” said AFA chair Cynthia Moore.
The AFA says that a study from last year revealed that every dollar invested by the AFA generates a direct economic return of $1.76.
The AFA board is expected to approve its 2026-27 spending plan soon, says Moore, and more details will be shared.
Celina Forbes’ first solo show
Fort St. John artist Celina Forbes will have her first solo exhibition at the Peace Gallery North from April 10 to May 2.
The exhibit Pretty Expiry will have an opening reception on April 10 at 7 p.m.
“I wanted people to question: can the darker parts of life still be beautiful and maybe redeem themselves into strength and bravery and maybe even be empowering instead of disgusting, decayed and evil,” said Forbes.
Her paintings in the exhibit include characters of her own design with skulls and decay around them paired with vibrant florals.
A lifelong fan of fantasy movies, comic books, and anime, she said the exhibit was a way to create her own characters.
2026 Rewilding Arts prize finalist
Beaverlodge area artist David McGregor was named a finalist for the David Suzuki Foundation’s 2026 Rewilding Arts Prize.
The national award recognizes “artists whose work explores renewed relationships between people, land, water and the living world.”
David is among 16 finalists chosen from over 650 submissions.
Five artists from the shortlist will be named the winners of the Rewilding Arts Prize on April 15.
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