The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society
The Artiszan Gardens
The Poet Tree Legacy Garden
Education through history, art and culture is our mantra at The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society. Founded in 1995, we seek to preserve the Bow Valley Ranche (BVR) as a memorable place. A cherished landmark situated on Treaty 7 lands, within Fish Creek Park, the BVR offers recreational areas, interpretive walks, and stewardship education to all the surrounding communities. We honour the past, present, and future through a relationship with all who visit the outdoor
Rooted in Community The BVR understands its responsibility to be an ambassador of respect while sharing the stories it represents to everyone in the community. A significant chapter of Alberta’s history was written here, and within the walls of the buildings built in the early days of ranching. Celebrating Art We promote the artists and their original artwork through the ArtWORKS at BVR program. Two artists are featured for a 4 month period during the year. From May - September, 2019 visitors to the BVR Restaurant will see an exhibit of the works of Wes Olson and Keegan Starlight. Keegan Starlight is an artist from the neighbouring Tsuut’ina Nation. His work will be featured on one of the monoliths
spaces of the Native Species Garden, the Artisan Gardens, the Branded Patio, and the Poet Tree Legacy Garden. A captivating feature of the site is the Ranche house, which was built in 1896 by William Roper Hull. It is now a finedining restaurant called The BVR Restaurant. Just a few steps away is Annie’s Café, open seasonally Apr - Oct, for casual light lunches, fresh baked goods, and ice cream!
of the Artisan Gardens. Keegan’s work is well known in the City of Calgary. He’s been an Indigenous Artist at the Calgary Stampede, and has created works for such venues as the new Central Library in East Village. Wes Olson has a real passion for bison. In addition to creating detailed renderings of wildlife, Wes is also a keynote speaker and a bison expert. BVR looks forward to featuring not only Wes’ original art in the Grand Salon of the BVR Restaurant, but to glean information from his teaching, as well. Wes’ “The Evolution of Bison” looks at the prehistoric species of bison and how each of these evolved or became extinct. Tracing the geographic distribution of bison over millennia, one is drawn forward in time to the plains and wood bison that currently occupy North America.
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