The Rivers of Peace Eco Arts Festival, November 4, 5, celebrates the life-giving waterways of the Harrison and Fraser Rivers of British Columbia through arts and action.  Presented by ACES:  Actively Creating an Exceptional Society and Woodside Gallery, this free festival includes an art exhibition and Eco Arts Action Fair.

Rivers of Peace kicks off Friday, November 4 at 7pm with the opening reception presenting the visual art of Kat Wahamaa and Robi Smith, at Woodside Gallery.  Wahamaa’s pieces focus on nature and the impacts of gravel mining on the local watershed and habitat, while Smith’s work reflects the detritus from human engagement with the Alouette River. 

The reception also features the work of Johanna Clark, fibre art; Vickie Legere, photography; and Kathy Hiltz, jewelry. Music for the evening will be provided by Tony Rees and Caden Knudson.
 
The Eco Arts Fair on Saturday November 5 is fun and informative. Make and take a pine needle basket with Sharon Syrette or a felted piece with Johanna Clark. Learn about this amazing watershed, enjoy the exhibition and the talents of the down and scratchy Chicken Like Birds, renowned activist Eddie Gardner and the Wild Salmon Defenders, hometown Kat & Tony joined on a few songs by the infamous Raging Grannies and the highlight performance by the Fraser Valley’s own award-winning blues all-star Gerald Charlie. 

ACES is a charter member of the Harrison Salmon Stronghold (HSS) – an international designation that recognizes the importance of our area as a habitat for salmon. Sts'ailes First Nation is the lead on this initiative and Kim Charlie will speak about the background and goals of the HSS. Other speakers include David Handcock, FV Bald Eagle Festival; Lynn Perrin, Pipe-up; Ian Stephens, Water Wealth; and Tracy Lyster, CAUSS.  The organizations will have information displays as well.   And if all this makes you hungry the Deroche Farmer’s Market will be on hand with some savory and sweet treats for purchase.

Through Rivers of Peace, ACES hopes to inspire people to contemplate the spirit of water and the importance of this precious gift. It’s a very grassroots event, with something for everyone, taking place at the confluence of the beautiful Harrison and Fraser Rivers. For more information visit ACES at www.weareaces.org, email info@weareaces.org or call 604-826-6803.