Let your creative side soar this fall! Thousands of free, hands-on (and virtual) and unique cultural events are happening across Canada from Friday, September 23 to Sunday, October 16, 2022 for the 13th annual Culture Days celebrations. Culture Days shares the message that culture is for everyone, regardless of age, geography, background, or income, and as a result, most events are free or very low-cost.
Surrey is celebrating with a diverse schedule of in-person arts and heritage experiences and online digital presentations organized by the Surrey Civic Theatres, Surrey Art Gallery, Historic Stewart Farm, Museum of Surrey, Surrey Archives, Community Arts and the City’s Special Events team.
Surrey Culture Days highlights:
Olde Harvest Fair – Stop by Historic Stewart Farm for some seasonal old-fashioned fun! Take part in harvest themed games and activities, enjoy live music and performances, sample farm-fresh apple cider, and explore wares from local vendors and artisans. This free event offers a bounty of activities for all ages, including performances by Surrey’s re-enactment troupe The Re-Enactors and the Vancouver Morris Dancers. (September 24 | 11am – 3pm)
Filipino Fest – Come celebrate Filipino culture at the Museum of Surrey with performances, the RCMP diversity team, textile displays, Tinikling, and a Tagalog and English storytelling session. While you’re at the museum check out the multiple galleries, let the kids play in the TD Explore Zone and explore the Indigenous Hall. (September 24 | 1pm – 4pm)
Sketch in the Gallery – Make art while experiencing art! When you come for a visit, drawing benches are available for you to use. All skill levels welcome! Bring your own gallery-friendly art materials (pencils, paper, and coloured pencils) and sketch what you see. (runs the duration of Culture Days)
Clayton Community Centre Arts Day – Join us at Clayton Community Centre and create dance wearables for the Surrey SPARK stages Family Dance Party, a super fun afternoon all-ages dance party! Learn the rich history and culture of Indigenous powwow dancing, including the dance’s origins and the regalia’s history. Then, accompanied by fiddle and guitar music, learn traditional square dances. Learn about diverse cultural groups across the City. Play lawn games with neighbours outdoors on the Great Lawn. (September 24 | 1pm – 5pm)
Bear with It: Artist Talk with Rain Pierre (sɬə́məxʷ) – Rain Pierre (sɬə́məxʷ) is a multi-media artist from Katzie First Nation that has completed a public artwork, titled Bear With It, for the Clayton Community Centre library. Join Rain for an artist talk as he shares his life story and how his experiences have shaped his artistic practice. (September 24 | 2pm – 3pm)
Ancestral Echoes: In Conversation with Atheana Picha– Celebrating the installation of her mural Echoes on the windows of the Arts Centre, hear from Atheana Picha about her use of Coast Salish visual language throughout her practice. From Kwantlen and Tsartlip Nations, Picha is a multidisciplinary artist with experience in ceramics, printmaking, wood carving, and public art murals throughout the Lower Mainland. (October 1 | 2pm – 3pm)
Film Screening & Art Performance – Join the Black Arts Centre at Surrey Art Gallery for an art performance and screening of films made by exhibiting artist Fegor Obuwoma alongside a performance by Chipo Chipaziwa. Obuwoma’s and Chipaziwa’s work highlight themes of black identity, spirituality, and female agency. The screening will be followed by a conversation between the Black Arts Centre curator Olumoroti (Moroti) Soji-George and the two artists. (October 8 | 2pm – 4pm)
Visit the Surrey Culture Days online hub for information about all the events taking place.