The story of February in the Valley

Photo: Maureen MacMillan

On Saturday Feb. 24 the Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio (OV-CAOS) will host “Eat Your Art Out” at the Lions Hall in Killaloe. Eat Your Art Out began in 2015 when the directors of OV-CAOS wanted a creative way to address the low energy that many people feel during the month of November

Interesting things happen when artists come together to solve a problem. To combat the impending darkness they decided to celebrate the story of November by inviting the community to attend a six course meal prepared by a local chef using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The servers made costumes inspired by elements of November; atmospheric music played as the team of characters in their November inspired costumes served the guests artfully presented dishes. OV-CAOS offered this experience to all in the community as a way to welcome the change of season. They hoped to cover costs and maybe raise a bit of money for community arts programming. It turned out that the event sold out at nearly 100 tickets and Eat Your Art Out became a significant fundraiser for the organization.

The next year they told the story of April, again to a sold out audience of 100 people keen to experience the unexpected delights of artists, farmers, chefs, musicians and poets coming together to tell a story.

This year OV-CAOS is telling the story of February. OV-CAOS artists in residence along with Jackson and Blakeney of Seed and Stone Farmstead have come together once again to present a full-bodied art experience featuring a six course meal inspired by the month of February as experienced in the Valley. Each course speaks to a different element of that February experience including: The Scurry, Dark Reflection, Cabin Fever, Feed The Fire, Rest, and Snowed In

If you are looking for an adventure in food and art please join us on Feb. 24 at the Lions Hall in Killaloe. Tickets are $60 per person in advance only and are available at the following locations: Pantry Savings – Barry’s Bay, Grandma’s Pantry – Killaloe, The CRC – Killaloe and The Eganville Library. If you would like more information about Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio and the work they do in the community please visit www.ov-caos.org

About the author: Anya Gansterer has over 16 years’ experience as a cultural worker, with a career dedicated to enlivening space through culture. She is Co-Artistic Director at OV-CAOS. As Culture and Tourism Coordinator she managed events and programming at The Railway Station for Madawaska Valley Township from 2003 to 2017. The Current features occasional articles by Anya about culture and community growth.