When the days become shorter and gloominess rolls around, many folks experience seasonal depression, or the winter blues. Characterized by feelings of sadness and low energy during the winter specifically related to the lack of sunlight, seasonal affective disorder impacts around 15 per cent of Canadians.
In Kamloops, there are numerous options to help combat the winter blues, from driving up the mountain to ski at Sun Peaks Resort and exploring Thompson-Nicola’s many trails and viewpoints to connecting with others through community.
The Wren took some time to chat with organizations including the Kamloops Library, the Kamloops Art Gallery and the Kamloops Museum and Archives, which offer accessible opportunities to get out and socialize, learn and connect in the winter.
Kamloops Library
Thompson-Nicola Regional Library has three branches in Kamloops including the Aberdeen Tiny Library, the Kamloops Library and the North Kamloops Library, all of which offer various programming year round.
During the winter some programming for the North Kamloops branch will be moved to the downtown branch due to construction, but the library will still host the Writer in Residence program.
This year the writer offering guidance and mentorship until mid-December will Katherin Edwards. Those interested in the program can submit their writing to discuss with Edwards.
There is no skill level required for this program, which is free and most sessions are drop-in.
“That’s what the library is about,” Audrey Ambrus, coordinator of Adult Services for the Thompson-Nicola Regional Library, tells The Wren. ”It’s not just a place where people come to get books, it’s a place for people to come and socialize, meet up with other people. It’s really changed over the years. We’re not that quiet place where you used to come in.”
Instead, folks meet at the library to do various activities. An example is a puzzle table available to the public where folks interact and can make connections.
Those with young families are also able to take advantage of the early years program, which has activities for children up to five years old, Melissa Miller Early Years program coordinator says.
“We definitely see more families coming in when it gets cold,” Miller says. “I know personally, I really struggled with being outside with little ones, by the time you put on all their stuff. It’s nice to have somewhere to go outside of the home that’s less onerous to get to.”
Kids can be engaged with programs like Tiny Tunes, which supports babies or toddlers developing language skills with songs and rhymes, and Teeny Tiny Storytime which supports the early ages.
“We see lots of families making connections with each other. I know for me, when my children were really little and I was on maternity leave, I found it really isolating honestly, to be home all of the time. So it definitely helps to see other families experiencing the same things,” Miller says.
Winter tends to compound a lot of those feelings and making connections can help those struggling, she adds.
Despite being a smaller space, The Abeerdeen branch runs several story times each week as well as book clubs and a teen game program which runs at West Highlands Community Centre once a month.
The book clubs normally require a registration since there is a limited number of books but story times and game events are free.
“Our story times are on Wednesdays. They’re fairly well attended,” Mike Brown, Aberdeen Tiny Library branch head says. “They’re really good places to connect.”
Visit the library’s website to learn more about the programming available.
Kamloops Art Gallery
Besides having year-round art exhibitions the Kamloops Art Gallery also offers programming for the community.
Some of the programs are created based on a general interest to get people excited about art, from studio-based programs digging into an art material or technique where participants can “get your hands a bit messy,” to conversation-based programs encouraging thought and conversation, interim executive director of the gallery, Emily Hope explains.
One of the upcoming programs this November includes Pleasure Viewing: An Embodied Approach to Viewing Art, an opportunity to explore community for adult audiences. This is a collaboration with Vanessa A. Woulfe, a dancer and somatic awareness practitioner, consisting of an embodied approach to look at art.
“Our core philosophy is that art is for everyone,” Hope says. “We’re hoping that the overarching message that is received is this place is for you regardless of who you are, regardless of what your experiences with art are.”
With that in mind the gallery seeks to design workshops and other programs to appeal to different people.
“Before you arrive here, we hope that you arrive feeling comfortable, that you feel like you can be yourself while you’re here, and that you already have within you everything that you need to engage with the artworks in meaningful ways.”
Programs like Studio Chill happen every Wednesday where folks ages 15 to 25 can drop in to develop skills and art practice. In this space they can try a wide variety of art materials, techniques and styles.
Other programs for November include Queer Futurism for adults and Young Interpreters for children. More programming is announced through the gallery’s monthly newsletter and normally at the beginning or the end of a month.
The gallery always tries to have something happening and it has become a great space to connect with other community members, Hope says.
“I think one of the main things is that art helps us feel less alone, even if you’re viewing it by yourself, you’re experiencing somebody else’s viewpoint,” Hope says. “When we engage with that it helps us feel connected to other human beings who have maybe gone through something that’s similar to us, it helps to give us a broader perspective.”
Although most programming is free, Hope says they always try to keep it low cost or host pay- what-you-can events. People interested in programming can always reach out to the gallery with feedback, suggestions or questions either through email at kamloopsartgallery@kag.bc.ca or social media.
The gallery also has free admission on Thursdays, sponsored by British Columbia Lottery Corporation for anyone who wants to see the current exhibitions.
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