Art and animal lovers from all corners of the valley won’t want to miss the 3rd annual Arts Alive show when it returns to Pynelogs Cultural Centre on Saturday, November 17.

Presented by Invermere-based lampwork glass bead artists Sandra Beingessner and Kelly Tomalty, the event will showcase unique, Canadian handmade artwork, with all door proceeds after overhead going to the Invermere Companion Animal Network (ICAN)  to help the non-profit acquire a bigger and better home for cats and other small animals they rescue each year in the community.

“Last year we donated to ICAN as well because we thought it was a great cause,” Tomalty said.

Admission to peruse Pynelogs between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the sale is a mere $2, and featured artists will include John Niddrie’s Lost Caribou Photography, Lee Bedford’s Canyon Creek Pottery, Faith Saunders’ Jams and Jellies and Linda Reynolds’ Baby Textiles and Ornaments to name just a few. Beingessner’s Blissbeads, Scarves and Fascinators will also be on display as will Tomalty’s own Kelly Designs Glass and Wire Jewelry.

“We came together as a team and decided to put on a craft show,” Tomalty said of her and Beingessner’s partnership in putting on the annual event.

“People liked it, and then we had more interest, then we just thought, ‘Let’s keep it going and see if we can get more artists involved.'”

She said they make a point of ensuring that the artists showcased at Arts Alive are mostly local.

“I feel that if you can accommodate the artists that are here, then it’s great for our town too,” Tomalty said. “Arts Alive gives local artists and craftspeople an opportunity to make their work available to the public, thus supporting our local economy.”

For more information or to become

a vendor, email

info@blissbeads.ca or phone Sandra at 250-342-6507 or Kelly at 250-342-9394.