An International Art Tour in Hinton? Why?

An International Art Tour is visiting Hinton, Alberta for the months of June and July. There has been some interest as to why Hinton is the only Canadian stop. I have one of my pieces in the tour and the director of the tour needed suggestions for venues. I suggested the Hinton Library and it was decided that the tour would visit.
   I can understand the question, why Hinton? Hinton is just a small town in Alberta, how could it possibly receive world renowned artists and their vision for the world? The Hinton Art Club, the Hinton Library and the community of Hinton are recognized as enthusiastic supporters of the arts. The tour has been enabled because of this.  This question also brings up an important issue that the tour is hoping to address. The 'global issues' that this tour is bringing to light are also local issues that people in Hinton face every day,  poverty, abuse, self-harm, prostitution and other obstacles to peace.  The global issues are a reflection of our local issues and in fact our individual issues. I think it is very important that even people in places like Hinton know that this tour is for them as well. It is not to say that the tour won’t go anywhere else in Canada as the tour runs for 3 years and they are open to suggestions. 

The artists will not be at the reception, except for me. Only the artist's prints travel. The prints are all for sale. Some of the artists are donating all the proceeds of the sale to the tour itself. The director of the tour Phil Dynan has specified that 50% of sales and donations go to MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS and 50% goes to the tour itself. We will be taking donations at the reception on June 14^th. I am coordinating the showing and the reception in Hinton.  The reception is on Tuesday June 14th from 6-8pm in the Teck Coal Room at the Hinton Municipal Library. I have asked the town manager Bernie Kreiner to give a short presentation.  He has travelled extensively and he is also knowledgeable about local issues. There will be some refreshments.  This show is not about a lot of glitz and glam; it is about the art and the thoughts that come from taking them in.  Some of these artist's works are difficult to look at because they deal with difficult issues. The tour also has pieces that reflect the artist’s visions of hope and peace in this world. This is what is so exciting. Despite the violence that surrounds us everyday this tour shows that we are still filled with hope for a better world.
www.owoatour.info/