In order to fully experience the Culture Days and Nuit Blanche celebrations in Winnipeg, you have to let yourself be carried away by curiosity, and spontaneity. Thankfully, this year we have an entire month dedicated to these cultural and artistic events! 

The whole experience begins with planning out the sites you want to visit. To prepare for my night out, I downloaded the map available on the Nuit Blanche Winnipeg website.

To sum it up: the legend is above the map, the facilities are designated by letters A through I, and they are available to visit anytime whether it’s dark or not. That being said, I highly recommend checking them out after dusk. 

The installations numbered from 1 to 22 are part of the Nuit Blanche hub itself. Although it officially took place last weekend, some works of art are still available. How do you know what’s left out there? By going to see it with your own eyes!

The Culture Days slogan this year is RE:IMAGINE. The underlying theme really seems to revolve around absence, silence, but also recovery and renewal. In the Exchange District, you’ll find exhibits related to the 21st century and its challenges, the pandemic, our society of overconsumption, and surveillance cameras.

If you make your way to Saint-Boniface, you’ll then find a little joy and poetry. Neon pink flamingos surround the entire Théâtre du Cercle Molière and are sure to put a smile on your face.

Artist Nicholas Danzinger explains that a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance, and it is the double meaning of the word that has fueled his work. It’s also a nod to Winnipeggers’ love for this pink animal!

Still located at TCM, lift your head up and dream of being on a cloud, thanks to artist Ashley Christiansen.

Photo © Culture Days and Ashley Christiansen

Otherwise, for the month of Culture Days, the Maison des Artistes francophones has a great program, with in person events such as tea in the Sculptures Garden on Wednesday, October 6 (Communi-tea), the documentary “Jukebox: El Toro” by Danielle Sturk, and an exhibition organized by the Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba (AAMN) available at 219 Provencher Boulevard. 

If you’re looking for virtual options, an online workshop around memory via the medium of collage is offered (at all times) and a literary and artistic improvisation battle will take place on Saturday, October 2 (La Plume et le Pinceau).

The current weather is perfect for taking a tour in search of works of art – Culture Days lasts until October 24. Enjoy your art and culture discovery!