A place worth visiting!
Ashcroft is a community immersed in art and culture. Visitors from around the world are amazed by the creativity showcased by the many art installations throughout the community that tell the stories of our cultural diversity and rich history.
Art
Mosaics - Murals - Music - Theatre
Mosaics
Glass Mosaics have become a major draw for many visitors to our community. This visually stunning art-form is proudly displayed throughout the community in various locations, in plain view for anyone to stop and enjoy. Renowned artist Marina Papais and her partner Daniel Collete, along with community members, have been creating these glass mosaics. Their studio is located in the Ashcroft HUB and is open most afternoons to drop in and see what project is currently in the works.
An Interactive Mosaic Walking Tour Map & Ashcroft Tail map has been created along with a pamphlet to help direct visitors to the various locations. The specific walking tours and trails can be selected from the menu on the left corner. Once tours and and trails are displayed, icons can be clicked to see photos. Clicking on the photos allows you to view full sized images.
Last updated: 2020
Mosaic Walks & Walking Trails Interactive Map
Village of Ashcroft - Mosaic Map Pamphlet - 2nd Edition
Theatre
Ashcroft is home to Winding Rivers Arts and Performance Society, a large group of talented performers from the community itself and surrounding municipalities that have a passion for theatre. Their productions have caught the attention of theatre lovers and they will travel from far and wide to catch a show.
Murals
Ashcroft attracts a large number of visual artists through a variety of mediums. Below is a list of just a few artists, and other resources for those wanting to witness how visually creative this community really is.
- Ashcroft Side Walk Gallery (located at 114 Railway Avenue)
- Ashcroft Plein Art Art Show
- Ashcroft Art Club
- Jo Petty
- Royden Josephson
- Marina Papais
Music
Live music is a passion that residents and tourists enjoy throughout the warmer months with music in the parks, live entertainment at local eateries and live performances during events. Many performers and venues can be found in the Live Music-Thompson Nicola website.
History and Culture
Chinese Cemetery - Harmony Bell Monument - Museum - Heritage Place Park
Chinese Cemetery
Ashcroft once had a large population of Chinese settlers and small part of their story can be seen at the restored Chinese Cemetery located on the East side of Ashcroft along Hwy 97C. Visit our webpage to learn more about this historical site.
Harmony Bell Tower
The Harmony Bell Tower is a beautiful display of community spirit and cultural harmony. Each panel was created by artist Marina Papais and in collaboration with individuals, groups and families from the community.
Museum
Considered one of the best museums located in any BC Village, the collection includes artifacts that date back to the early 1900's and and bears witness to Ashcroft's "Glory Days".
Heritage Place Park
Take a stroll through time as you meander through this wonderful little gem. From the parking lot to the enormous mine truck near the Harmony Bell Monument you will encounter a waterwheel, historic sod roofed cabin, a log gazebo for performances, many mosaics and murals, a caboose, a trail with benches, and a shaded picnic area for all to enjoy.
Farm Fresh Produce
Ashcroft is blessed with abundant produce in the summer. The Desert Hills ranch and farm attracts visitors from all over BC for its tremendous produce.
Rainbow Cross Walk
Ashcroft is proud to be an inclusive community that embraces the diversity of the people that makes up its citizens. In 2018, Village Council resolved unanimously to install a Rainbow Crosswalk to celebrate the community's diverse nature.
Trains
Ashcroft has a rich history intertwined with the rail lines. Both Canadian Pacific Railway and CN Railway pass through town and are displayed in mosaics around town as well in museum exhibits depicting our history. Ashcroft is a great place to train watch. You can sit comfortably in our beautiful, shaded Heritage Park and watch trains go by or from one of the vantage points along the Inuksuk trail.