Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

The bees' new homes

If I were Winnie the Pooh, I'd know exactly where to find the honey for my honey pot. I'd look for the best dressed honey boxes an artist could paint.

The Cool Arts Society created 20 to 25 new, very colourful, homes for the little buzzing flyers. Some were delivered Saturday to Thompson Farms.

Talk about timing! Today, Sunday May 29, is the official "Day of the Honey Bee", and I bet the small honey makers were delighted with their new living quarters. Well maybe that's a little conjecture, but if they were as happy as those who made the boxes, then there were smiles all around. If bees can smile that is.

"The participants were very thrilled to have the opportunity to create Eco-Art; to create beautiful, colourful homes to attract the bees to their hives. Some participants were initially hesitant about getting so close to the bees, but once they donned the bee-suits and ventured into the bees, everyone experiences a sense of calm and weren't fearful at all. This process has resonated very much with our participants," says Rena Warren, Executive Director for Cool Arts Society.

Warren says the artists will also be keeping an eye on the bees. They plan to document the process of beekeeping and its importance in local food production. The society will be exhibiting their eco-art and a documentary at the B.C. Orchard Museum this summer. Dates to be announced.

The Cool Arts Society is a non profit organization that provides art opportunities and initiatives for adults with developmental disabilities.

The Executive Director tells us they are thankful for their community partners.

"The Beebox project is generously funded by The City of Kelowna: Arts, Culture and Heritage Grant and in partnership with The B.C. Orchard Industry Museum and Okanagan Wild Brush Honey," says Warren.

For more information visit their blog at: www.coolartssociety.blogspot.com

In a press release, the B.C. government states, "Honey bees may be tiny creatures, but their work has a big $200-million impact  on farming in B.C., that's why it has declared May 29, 'Day of the Honey Bee."

Visit the B.C. Honey Producers Association online: http://www.bcbeekeepers.com/

For more information about B.C.'s apiculture industry see:http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/apiculture/index.htm

Bees

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

Photo: Contributed - Rena Warren - Cool Art Society

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