Elders portrait project celebrates community

Legacy Portraits on display at Pynelogs Cultural Centre until March 31

By Chadd Cawson

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Laughing, smiling, and loving faces line the walls of Pynelogs Cultural Centre at Kinsmen Beach in Kimberley Rae’s Calling All Elders Portrait Project. The exhibit runs at Pynelogs from Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until March 31.

Rae said nearly eighty seniors have sat for her over the span of a year, and all portraits in the exhibit were donated to be displayed.

“It so wonderful, and heartwarming to see,” said Tammie Gregory about seeing the portrait of her father Gerry Hope, a long-time resident of Wilmer on display. Gregory, and her sister Kim Kascak of Invermere, gleamed with pride as they admired the portrait of their father. Hope’s is one of the first images people see when stepping into the exhibit, and one of many Rae photographed.

Pynelogs executive director and gallery manager, Cajsa Fredin, said she’s thrilled to be highlighting Rae’s work this month, that her project highlights the importance of adding people’s voice and stories to the history of the Columbia Valley, where many were born and raised or immigrated to.

“Feedback has been great! Lots of visitors, locals, family members, have come to check out these portraits and read the stories which accompany them,” said Fredin. “There is more to a photo than just what we see, captures a moment in time, but just a moment. To have the time to sit and speak about themselves weaves in the aspects that make Kootenay culture. Kim’s photographic work is technically profound as it captures her talent as photographer, lending her lens to the story. She is a vessel, so as a curator showcasing her talent, it was easy to be the venue and have these on display, but the importance is the story behind the pieces, that is the art - where it all collides.”

Throughout this project Rae has captured the character, love, and laughter in seniors across the Columbia Valley. She included several Elders with Akisqnuk First Nation, Shuswap Band, and Columbia Valley Métis Association. The love and bond of Shuswap Elders, Laverna and Basil Steven, is plain to see through their portraits, Rae took. The couple celebrated fifty years together in May 2022. Métis couple Pheb and Austin Goulet had the pleasure of sitting for Rae in December 2021.

Pheb said, “Kimberley made us feel welcome and created a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in her studio. We are proud to be a part of her portrait project. She is truly a gifted photographer.”

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors is considering an application by 1368511 BC Ltd to amend the OCP and zoning designations of part of their property located on Fairmont Resort Road in Fairmont Hot Springs to permit a single-family residential subdivision.

Bylaw No. 3208 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Fairmont Hot Springs & Columbia Lake Area Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2779, 2017 – Amendment Bylaw No.

11, 2023 (Fairmont / 1368511 BC Ltd)” will amend the OCP designation of part of Lot 3, District Lot 4596, Kootenay District, Plan NEP20033, from RES-MU, Resort Mixed Use to R-SF, Residential Low Density.

Bylaw No. 3209 cited as “Regional District of East Kootenay – Upper Columbia Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 1992 – Amendment Bylaw No. 390, 2023 (Fairmont / 1368511 BC Ltd)” will amend the zoning designation of part of Lot 3, District Lot 4596, Kootenay District, Plan NEP20033, from R-3, Multiple Family Residential – Medium Density Zone to R-1(C), Single Family Residential – Auxiliary Dwelling Unit Zone.

A public hearing will be held via Zoom webinar conference: Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 7:00 pm.

The Board has delegated the holding of this hearing to the Directors for Electoral Area F and Electoral Area G. If you believe that your interest in property is affected by the proposed Bylaws, you may prior to the hearing:

• inspect the Bylaws and supporting information by requesting that an information package be emailed to you by contacting tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca. Information packages may be requested up until Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm;

• mail or email written submissions to the addresses shown below before Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm;

• present verbal submissions at the public hearing.

TO PRE-REGISTER visit the Meetings page on rdek.bc.ca and choose Public Hearings & Meetings

You must pre-register in order to attend and provide verbal presentations or make comments at the hearing. The deadline to register is Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4:30 pm. Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CNHVI8WyQmeH56JtX6mS4A or by visiting www.rdek.bc.ca (Meetings/Minutes, Public Hearings and Meetings page). Please note that a question and answer period will not occur during the Zoom webinar conference. You must address any questions relating to the bylaws to the Planning Technician prior to the above date.

SUBMISSIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

All submissions will form part of the public record and will be published in a meeting agenda posted online. Personal contact information such as phone and email will be removed from written submissions. Questions about the disclosure of your personal information may be referred to the Corporate Officer at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335. This notice is not an interpretation of the Bylaws. For more information, contact Tracy Van de Wiel, Planning Technician at 250-489-0311 or toll free at 1-888-478-7335 or email tvandewiel@rdek.bc.ca.