Wild at Art committee organizers, volunteers, performers and audiences are still buzzing after a tremendous 10 days of song, music, dance, art and even a fashion show.
Despite a seemingly annual tradition of terrible weather, thousands of residents and visitors came out for what committee members call "a great success."
People turned up in droves to take part in the festival both downtown and at the Heritage Park Art Gallery," said coordinator Carolyn Grass. "The Rotary Beef BBQ [at the Heritage Park] was also a great success."
The idea behind the festival came from the District of Squamish four years ago, and little by little, residents with passion, commitment, talent and experience have developed it into a polished event.
The five core included Grass, who was responsible for advertising, some performances, and a sponsorship drive that attracted CTV, which was instrumental in amassing crowds.
Brian Marchant, has been a part of Wild at Art since its inception and was responsible for the technical components, all the professional and Main Stage performers, and acted as an advisor based on his bank of experience. Sonja Lebans was also involved from the inception, was also an advisor and was responsible for the Opening Night Gala, and the Art Gallery Developers' Fair. Marcie Gaukrodger was the financial advisor, and was responsible for the Market Stroll and Workshops. Judy McQuinn coordinated the visually stunning Art Gallery at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park.
Each organizer came away with their own personal most memorable event. For Grass, it was the Ndidi Onukwulu performance at Eagle Eye Theatre and Madascar Slim.
"They were the most delightful, down to earth individuals and they thought Squamish was one of their best audiences ever," she said. "They told us they would love to come back here every year because we were such a wonderful audience."
Out-of-town performers complimented the local talent. "Not only did everyone perform with the enthusiasm of a big event, but many musicians went way beyond expectations to band together and join in collaborative performances."
For McQuinn, the reaction from the visitors to the gallery was the highlight. She quote a Vancouver artist: "The power and solidity of those huge trains combined with the flights of fancy from people's imagination just complement each other."
The festival could not have happened without the help of local volunteers, said Grass, including Joel Pettit who "single-handedly organized over 100 hours of performance in five different venues." Daniela Harbin acted as a crucial volunteer coordinator and Loretta Bogert-O'Brien organized a last minute Community Connections Centre.
"This was a tremendous team and I can't say enough good things about them," said Grass. And the volunteers are set to do it all over again. The committee held it's first meeting this week to organize the 2007, 2008 and 2009 festivals, and the earlier they start soliciting sponsorship, the bigger the support.
Grass said she's keen on maintaining the partnership newly established this year with the Westcoast Railway Heritage Park. The committee also intends to have main stage tents in the downtown - but perhaps not at the same locations.
The committee is intent on gearing up for 2010.
"We intend to have a 17-day festival to run the full length of the Olympics," said Grass. "We're tossing around all sorts of ideas."
