4 minute read
The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society
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 spaces of the Native Species Garden, the Artisan Gardens, the Branded Patio, and the Poet Tree Legacy Garden.
The Artiszan Gardens
Advertisement
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!
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.
Wes Olson, First Gallop Bison-Calf, mixedmedia
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 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.
Keegan Starlight, Boy, Charcoal
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.
In addition to the original art on display in the BVR Restaurant, the atmosphere at Annie’s Cafe is greatly enhanced by featured Calgary photographer, Shirley A. Davis.
All original art and photography featured through ArtWORKS at BVR is for sale, with 30% of sales returning to the Society. For more details, please visit bowvalleyranche.com/art
Poet Tree Legacy Garden
Have you seen the 20 foot Poet Tree sculpture, and the handcrafted wooden benches that surround the book exchange library? Each was once a tree standing strong on the BVR property. These trees faced the wear of time and elements of weather, but were brought back to life in a new, repurposed way! You will not see another sculpture quite like this one, carved by artist and co-curator of BVR, Doug Levitt. The liveedged backs of the benches are made from the salvaged trees. The vision of the Poet Tree Legacy Garden is to be used as a teaching facility where literacy, creative writing, and academic programs take place. It’s a place to write your story!
The Poet Tree Legacy Garden
The Bow Valley Ranche Learning Centre
After celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Ranche at Fish Creek Park Restoration Society four years ago, we opened our Learning Centre by offering twelve historical curriculums for grade 4, 5 and 7 students. These are presented by our History Wrangler, Rob Lennard, in French, Spanish, and English at the beautiful Artisan Gardens, en plein air!
We Value Our Volunteers and Sponsors
We are now celebrating 24 years as a Canadian not-for-profit charitable society. Volunteerism and sponsorship of our legacy programs are necessary to ensure continued programming and maintenance of the facilities. Get involved by adding your story to Alberta’s history by supporting these initiatives for the preservation, education and enjoyment for all.
Sponsors receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition that reflects you level of contribution. There are various levels of sponsorship, each of which reflects a personal connection to the donor’s interest in art, history, and education. We’re grateful for any and all donations.
By: Larry Wasyliw
