Be on the lookout for unique local art throughout Olde Towne Okotoks.
The sixth annual Nooks & Crannies Festival brings 17 public art installations to downtown Okotoks from July 20 to Aug. 24.
The festival, as described by the Town of Okotoks, "sees artists repurpose and animate forgotten places with ‘forgotten’ materials, bringing public art to forgotten corners of downtown Okotoks."
The art, made from recycled materials, is meant to educate and entertain community members, residents and visitors in a unique way.
"What's really important about a community's identity is the fact that, in Okotoks, we've got our artists involved in all kinds of things," said Allan Boss, culture and heritage leader with the Town of Okotoks. "This program links our businesses to our artists and created this opportunity for people to really come and enjoy Okotoks in a way they might not have ever experienced."
This year's festival features a scavenger hunt to help participants find all the artwork scattered throughout downtown while learning more about Okotoks. To take part, grab a brochure from the Okotoks Art Gallery and seek out all 17 installations.
"They might find businesses and restaurants and shops that they didn't know existed," said Boss. "At the same time, they're enjoying this incredible art in these different areas of Okotoks, so it's really a cool opportunity."
Find all the symbols and return the completed scavenger hunt brochure to the Okotoks Art Gallery by Aug. 24 at 5 p.m. for a chance to win a prize.
Two walking tours are planned for participants to learn more about the art and the artists: one for adults will be held on Friday, Aug. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m., while one geared toward families is happening on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 to 11 a.m. Pre-registration is recommended on the Town of Okotoks website.
A full list of Nooks & Crannies art locations is below:
1 - Okotoks Art Gallery, 53 North Railway St. (Artist: Camille Betts)
2 - Rumpled Quilt Skin / Onix Denture Clinic, 64 / 66 North Railway St. (Artist: Melisa Centofanti)
3 - CIR Realty, 26 North Railway St. (Artist: Gordon Mackey)
4 - Home Ground Cafe, 22 North Railway St. (Artists: Arieviella and Eureka Mamaril)
5 - An Honest Room, 18 North Railway St. (Artist: Soliyana Ketema)
6 - A Very Delightful Boutique, 50 McRae St. (Artist: Lisa Schwartz)
7 - Boy O Boy Flowers / BG's Design & Decor, 43 McRae Street (Artists: Michelle Campos and the Okotoks Teen Library)
8 - Yooneek Books / Monkey Mountain, 28 / 30 McRae St. (Artist: Sharon Fortowsky)
9 - On Tap Oil & Vinegar, 22 McRae St. (Artist: Juliana Freund)
10 - Tipper Records / Stockton Garden, 18 McRae St. (Artist: Madeline Maher)
11 - Stockton Garden, 14 McRae St. (Artist: Jennifer Stables)
12 - Ardiel Agencies / Western Wheel, 9 / 11 McRae Street (Artist: Laura Fournier)
13 - Loop Kids / Main Street Market, 4 / 8 McRae St. (Artist: Audra Schoblocher)
14 - Old Church Theatre, 3 Elma St. E (Artist: Dena Kubota)
15 - French 50, 10 Elma St. W (Artist: Tia McCurdy)
16 - The Duchess on Elma, 34 Elma St. W (Artist: Wasan Jema)
17 - Papillon Medical / Okotoks Elks Club, 74 / 58 Elizabeth St. (Artist: Narda Ray)
