Grande Prairie Museum
10329 - 101 Ave T8V 3E8 Grande Prairie, AB, Canada

2021 Summer Camps are gearing up to begin June 28 and running until the end of August. This year we are running camps at the following locations: GP Museum Maude Clifford Community Gym Mother Teresa Community Gym... Muskoseepi Park South Bear Creek Park Dave Barr Community Centre With six camps to choose from, every week is new and exciting. To learn more about the camps and to register online visit cityofgp.com/summercamps

The Artifact of the Month for April 2021 is a Ukrainian Easter Egg. For over ten centuries, Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) have been a Ukrainian tradition. A single egg is called a pysanka and more than one is referred to as pysanky. The word "pysanky" derives from the Ukrainian "pysaty," which means "to write" or "to inscribe." The eggs are decorated using the wax-resist (batik) method. People gave eggs to each other during times of celebration or mourning, sort of like ...the modern-day greeting card. The beautiful designs are not painted onto a raw egg but are written on with a kistka or special stylus that holds molten beeswax and then put in a dye bath. This process is repeated, progressing from light to dark dyes, and the wax is removed by heating the egg and gently wiping off the melted wax. Symbols and color choices on pysanky had many specific meanings, but the art of reading a pysanka has now been lost. The tradition of decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs has endured, developing into an art form. Colors in traditional pysanky were limited as natural dyes were used. Black, brown, green, red, orange, and yellow were the more common colors. For example, green could be made from wheat, moss or sprouting rye. Yellow dye could be created from straw, saffron or dandelion flowers. Did you know that Vegreville, Alberta is home to one of the largest pysanka sculptures in the world? The egg sculpture weighs over 5000 lbs. and is 31 feet tall by 15 feet wide! Do you have any pysanky that have been passed down through your family? Or maybe any that you've made? If so, we'd love to see your photos and hear your stories in the comments section.

Join us for an online paint night! Children aged 6-15 can enjoy this paint night over Zoom. All materials are provided in your paint kit, which will be available for pick up from the Ernie Radbourne Pavilion. Parent supervision is required. This course runs Friday, April 16 and costs $10 per participant. To register, click here: https://bit.ly/3vCo9AF

Join us online for Kids in the Kitchen! Date: April 15 - May 6 (Thursdays 5:30 - 7:00 pm online) Course fee: $80... Children aged 8-12 can learn to make fun, easy and delicious food over the course of 4 online sessions. Cooking kits will be available for pick up at the Ernie Radbourne Pavilion. Parental supervision is required. Click here to register: https://bit.ly/3eQl7mx

The Annual City Scrub is back and kicks off April 18-24. The City Scrub is a community clean-up with the main goal to pick up and properly dispose of garbage a...nd litter that has accumulated over the winter months. Residents interested in participating are encouraged to pick litter within their own parks and neighbourhoods. Free supplies are available for participants to pick up to help get started. Groups are limited to 10 individuals and COVID-19 regulations must be followed including masks and physical distancing between households Anyone interested in joining the community-wide clean up can register at cityofgp.com/cityscrub. Thank you for helping make our community cleaner!

Have a holly jolly gift creating time to start off the season at our Merry Craftmas workshops. Each child will be creative in making a card and a holiday ornament for someone special. Saturday, Dec 5 Ages 5-8: 2:00 - 3:30 pm Ages 9-12: 4:00 - 5:30 pm... $25 Click here for more info and to register: https://bit.ly/2Ix2h5T

Arts Development Festival Funding is now accepting applications! The deadline is the first business day after January 1. Apply today: https://bit.ly/36APoQG

Learn a new hobby in the art of soap making with an added festive twist! Grande Prairie Museum Saturday, Nov 28 Ages 16+... $40 Click here for more info and to register: https://bit.ly/3jVhV82

Our artifacts of the month are 2 sets of Indian clubs donated by local residents. Indian clubs are bowling pin shaped clubs that are swung in patterns, usually to choreographed music as part of an exercise program. Clubs range in size and weight with certain clubs that can weigh up to 100 pounds! It is thought that club swinging originated by soldiers in India as a means of enhancing strength, endurance, balance and physical ability. These artifacts can be viewed in our new e...xhibit And They’re Off: A History of Sport in Grande Prairie located inside the Kin Gallery at the Heritage Discovery Centre. Sports in Grande Prairie goes back to the earliest pioneer days with the first publicized event held at Lake Saskatoon in 1910. This event included horse racing and a baseball game. In 1911, the Lake Saskatoon event expanded beyond baseball to include football, wrestling, hammer throwing, pole vaulting, tossing the caber, pillow fighting, wild horse racing and various racing events. Visit the Heritage Discovery located in Centre 2000 to learn more! General admission is always free!

*Update* Only 1 spots left to the 8:30 P.M. tour tonight! Purchase your tickets online: cityofgp.com/folktales

The holiday season is quickly approaching; get in the spirit with our festive workshops! Sign up for holiday soap making, needle felting, drawing, or other crafty projects! Click here for details and to register: https://bit.ly/3jVhV82

Arts Development Major Project Funding is now accepting applications! The deadline is the first business day after January 1. Apply today: https://bit.ly/32BCLDw

We're having a flash sale on Folktales Tour tickets! 50% OFF Expires tomorrow at 9 p.m. Use discount code save50 at checkout! Purchase your tickets online: cityofgp.com/folktales

Recognize a long-standing volunteer in the community with notable achievements or community contributions by nominating them for a George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award. Visit this page for more information on how to apply before November 2: https://bit.ly/32Q9oOt.

EXCITING NEWS!! We have extended our yard sale for one final day of treasure hunting! Join us tomorrow, Tuesday November 10th, from 12:00-6:00pm at the Grande P...rairie Museum to get your hands on some great items. We have restocked the tables with more items as well so be sure to come down for one last look! https://www.facebook.com/events/802974377161660/

The Heritage Village Folktale tours are back for another year! Join us for an evening of fascinating and spooky entertainment through guided walking tours that will leave you with chills as you explore Heritage Village after dark! Purchase your tickets online: cityofgp.com/folktales

Learn a new hobby in the art of soap making with an added festive twist! Grande Prairie Museum Saturday, Nov 28 Adults (16+)... $40 Click here for more info and to register: https://bit.ly/3jVhV82

Do you know an organization or foundation that has positively impacted the community through their service, volunteering or community development? Nominate them... today for a Bill Bowes Volunteer Organization of the Year Award. Deadline to submit is November 2. More here: https://bit.ly/2FRMZHR.

Arts Development Operational & Performance Group Funding is now accepting applications! The deadline is January 1. Apply today: https://bit.ly/35nmjIL

The Heritage Village is now closed for the season, but don't forget to stop in and check out the Museum Gallery which is open year round! General Admission is always free.

The Grande Prairie Museum is hosting their annual Heritage Village Folktales Tour on October 16 and 17. Learn more about the equally spooky and entertaining event and purchase tickets at cityofgp.com/folktales.

As the Heritage Village’s season comes to an end, this is your last chance to check out all that the Village has to offer before closing this Sunday, October 4. General admission is free!

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for one of our most popular programs, Exploring Montessori for ages 19 months to 3 years. Visit us at https://bit.ly/3n9pX00 to register!

Our George Repka Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have volunteered in the community for 20+ years. Nominations for this year's award ar...e now open with an application deadline of November 2. Learn more on how to submit a nomination to help us honor our community's hard working volunteers here: https://bit.ly/32Q9oOt.