Artists, performers, musicians, and the like will be merging under one roof for the second annual Verge Arts Festival.
“This event raises awareness of the growing arts community within the Lakeland. It also gives us a platform for the incredible talent that’s right underneath our noses,” described Grande Parlour Arts and Culture Society creative director Teresa Pettit.
The three-day festival kicks off on Aug. 9, and provides "a platform for 20 musical artists, 17 visual artists, four theatre productions with four self-directed playwrights, 20 actors in the Verge and 16 in our kids' show, and 60 artisan vendors.”
Pettit described the laundry list of talent that will take over the Grande Parlour Theatre and Beantrees Cafe during her presentation to the City of Cold Lake on Tuesday, June 25.
“With events like the Verge Festival, more artists can meet, network, and they can learn from each other,” she expressed to council.
They held the Verge Arts Festival for the first time last year, welcoming over 400 people through their doors.
They're hoping over 600 art enthusiasts from across the Lakeland will attend this time around, with an expectation for further growth in the future.
Pettit said, “It’s more anticipated this year, and there is more knowledge about it. We anticipate it will continue to grow, and we do have repeat musicians."
The Grande Parlour is asking for the city to match last year's $7,500 contribution to the event.
“We hope the city can understand what we’re trying to do as an arts community. We want to ignite a love and appreciation for the arts, encourage a healthy and compassionate society. Please consider our request to help us continue our work in helping make Cold Lake and the Lakeland a healthy and great place to live and work,” Pettit stated, adding they will be approaching the MD of Bonnyville with a $5,000 ask.
Describing it as the society's way of giving back to the community, Pettit explained how the Verge Arts Festival will feature locally written plays, live music, beer gardens, an artisan market, and an interactive family production called UnWonderland, "where we're crossing Disney and fairy tale princesses with Star Wars."
A new addition to the event this year is a morning market in the back alley.
One of Pettit's favourite productions is written by 18-year-old Meghan Rennie called "It's a Dead Body."
Pettit exclaimed, “It’s important to have festivals like this because they spark passion and creativity, and they send people dreaming."
The city will discuss the sponsorship opportunity at a later meeting.
