29 minute read
Timeless tattoos. p
TIMELESS TATTOOING
RYAN KREBS, TATTOO ARTIST AND OWNER OF DARUMA TATTOO, IS INTRODUCING HIS NEW STREET SHOP WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN WALK IN OFF OF ONE OF REVELSTOKE’S BUSIEST ROADS FOR FLASH TATTOOING.
Words by Nora Hughes. Photos by Alexi Mostert
Ryan Krebs, owner and tattoo artist at Daruma Tattoo, is an extension of his art: timeless and honest. Much like the classic style of tattoos he loves, Ryan has stood the test of time in Revelstoke and is taking a leap by bringing a new experience to the town. Ryan is re-locating Daruma Tattoo and introducing flash tattooing to Revelstoke.
Flash tattoos are pre-drawn designs, a staple in classic-style tattoo shops like Ryan’s and touristy areas. Tattoos are becoming increasingly popular, and nowadays, getting a tattoo on a whim is more common. With the shop’s new location at 2B 300, First Street West, Ryan hopes to harness that business.
For Ryan, the shop signifies a more significant shift in his life. Ryan wants to focus his career on flash and classic style tattooing.
“I love the classic stuff. It's timeless,” Ryan says. His space is wallpapered with frames of traditional flash tattoo designs. “Classic” or “traditional” is the old-school American style of tattooing popularised around the 1930s that depicts iconic imagery. It incorporates bold lines and solid colours.
Ryan’s shop offers collector flash initially drawn by iconic tattoo artists such as Sailor Jerry, Doc King, and Doc Forbes. They’re the kind of oldtimey tattoos you’d recognize like branding on Coke bottles. We’ve all seen them; the classic pin-up girl, anchor, or panther tattoo with distinct fierce, bold lines. He also draws original flash and interpretations of traditional designs.
Tattoo cultures worldwide vary, and the permanent body decorations can even look different from province to province. The mountain silhouette, fern, or botanical bouquet are trends here in Revelstoke. Ryan’s classic flash shop seems a sharp contrast to the whimsical mountain town trend tattoos. He’s not out to bash anyone’s style, and he understands that his style isn’t for everyone either. He’s opening up a space for something different.
Ryan Krebs. Photos by Alexi Mostert
Tattooing true
When the original Daruma Tattoo opened in Revelstoke, Ryan says some of his colleagues thought it was career suicide. “People normally build their careers and stay there,” he says. But he saw an opening and niche that needed filling in Revelstoke. “Established tattooers go to places where there’s no tattooing,” he says.
For a while, Ryan was the only person in town tattooing. He created a name and business for himself as a versatile tattoo artist. But, Ryan felt burnt out trying to please everyone. While he is a diverse tattoo artist, he didn’t always feel the work represented his authentic self.
“As I get more mature and as I learn what I want to do with my time and energy, I realize that I can’t do every tattoo,” he says.” I used to portray myself as a really versatile tattooer. In Revelstoke, because it has so many different types of people, I would end up doing so many types of tattoos, and it kind of burned me out.”
Ryan has seen trends come and go but feels it’s time to carve a space for tattoo culture in Revelstoke and align his business with his beliefs by tattooing true to his style.
“It’s a business; you’re working for your client, you’re trying to please them and give them what they want,” Ryan explains. “And then there’s the other side, where you can’t be disingenuous to yourself and your skill set.”
Timeless tattoos
The way Ryan sees it, it’s like asking a landscape artist to paint an abstract portrait; they could pull it off, but that’s not the work they want to put their name on.
“When you look at these classic designs, you see how there's not much to them,” he says, gesturing to a flash design of a black panther. “They've drawn those so that over time when they age, it's still gonna look like a panther.”
Regarding longevity, Ryan doesn’t believe in tattooing something that won’t stand the test of time. The way traditional designs age is something that makes him proud of the art he creates.
Social media portrays trends of small and detailed tattoos, but he says it’s unlikely that those tattoos will age the way clients want. “I’m really adamant about designs lasting
because I personally think, what's the point of spending all this money, trying to get something timeless, and then it's not timeless?” he says. “Tattoos are forever. They just don’t last forever.”
Ryan has hung more traditionalstyle tattoos in the shop and switched his social media channels to display traditional tattoo content to ease his business in that direction.
“I just feel like what I sell and what I'm confident doing — and it's not for everyone — but you get to a point where you love what you do, and you say, you know what, I've tried so many styles of tattooing, I really have the most fun doing these ones,” he says.
Good, honest tattooing
“The main objective for me would be good, honest tattooing,” Ryan explains. “I want people to like my art, and I want them to like me as a person too.”
While Ryan hopes to introduce flash tattooing to Revelstoke through his new street shop, he’s not opposed to doing custom tattoos. He values clients that come to him with original ideas.
“When people message me on social media, I tell them to go check out my flash up for grabs area.” He says that if nothing catches their eye, he’s down to draw something original, but he’d like to meet in the middle and infuse his style into the work. “Custom tattooing is our interpretation of your idea,” he says.
He’s adamant that every artist has their style. Traditional is his niche.
“If I'm not the right guy for you, I'm not going to get hurt; I’m going to help you find the right tattooer or let's tweak the design. What I'm not willing to do is tweak it, and it turns it into a shitty tattoo,” he says.
Ryan will invite guest artists to his shop. He describes the town as having a closed tattoo scene because it can be challenging to move to Revelstoke.
Daruma is co-locating with Brick House Hair and Vintage, owned by his partner, Lindy Delorean. The shop features a vintage clothing shop, hair salon and Tattoo parlour.
The unique concept is a new step for Daruma Tattoo and Brickhouse Hair and Vintage. The creative, collaborative space reflects Ryan and Lindy's passion for vintage. Despite working in different industries, Lindy says they both work with people. She thinks the two businesses working symbiotically make the space more approachable.
Tattooing is Ryan’s life, and he’s built that in the Revelstoke community. The new shop will be an inviting, welcoming showcase for his art.
“I love all the aspects {of the job}, being able to do my art, being able to be respected and viewed as a part of this small community, and just having people give me their honest earned money,” Ryan says. “I take it really seriously. So I do my very best.”
Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s busy summer season of operation is underway and a new update released on July 26, 2022, details development progression and events on and around the mountain. The update report states that many projects are delayed due to an unseasonably cold spring, late snow melt in the alpine, and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The update gives locals and visitors a look into resort happenings and where some of the highly anticipated projects stand in terms of completion.
For starters, RMR’s most popular attraction is getting an expansion. A second track for the Pipe Mountain Coaster, 1.4 kilometres in length, is in the works, anticipated to be completed by September 2022. The track expansion will help wait times for visitors and provide a new experience for resort visitors.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort Vice President Peter Nielsen says one of the resort’s focuses includes creating inclusive experiences for visitors.
“We have some plans for more projects that will attract more people and deliver experiences that are not totally centred on really difficult mountain sports, but that are more approachable for broader, different graphics,” he says. “That’s a big focus for us. We do believe that summer represents a really big opportunity for growth at the resort and de facto for the whole town.”
New slopeside hotel update
Additionally, the update says the new slopeside hotel’s construction is in full swing after delays that RMR attributes to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new luxury hotel will be situated across from the existing Sutton Place Hotel and will be home for Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing once the project comes to fruition. The update says the new hotel is expected to be open for the 2024/25 winter season.
According to the update, a crew of 30 construction personnel arrived earlier this month and are wrapping up foundation work with plans to begin vertical construction this fall.
Nielsen says the resort intentionally slowed progress on the hotel during the uncertain times presented by the pandemic but struggled to resume operation mainly due to worker shortages. “We just struggled to get the project ramped up to where we wanted it to be as far as the ability to attract and retain talented labourers to work on the site,” he says.
Staff housing update
The update details that the urgently needed resort employee housing project is awaiting approval of a building permit before the first phase of construction can begin, which includes a building with 90 apartment suites and parking for both employees and day use. Nielsen says the resort is awaiting building permits from the city.
“It’s pretty normal,” Nielsen says in response to a question regarding the delayed permits. “Development application process and planning, it really gets to a higher level of detail,” he says. “We’re super excited to get going on [the staff housing] because we really need it.”
Nielsen says to deal with the housing and worker issues in Revelstoke, the resort is leasing properties and acquiring assets such as the Backpacker’s hostel, which was bought in the fall of 2021 and turned from short-term accommodation to longterm rental for seasonal staff members.
Further update
The development update also reports progress on projects such as the Camozzi Road realignment, on mountain development to prepare for winter, and the Cabot Pacific golf course, which plans to open in 2024.
Also mentioned in the report was a landslide that occurred on June 11, 2022, due to slope instability on Mountain Road. “These abnormal weather patterns also caused a change in ground and surface water patterns. A notable change occurred downslope of the Stellar Chair, which impacted Mountain Road north of Monashee Estates,” the update includes. “The change in groundwater patterns resulted in a localized slope instability, and on June 11, a natural and slow-moving slip occurred on Mountain Road.”
RMR says they immediately engaged with geotechnical engineers, water quality experts, and erosion and sediment control professionals to complete an assessment of the site to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and staff. The update writes that liaise with professionals to monitor this issue.
Nielsen says approval timing is one of the resort’s biggest challenges, aside from the symbiotic worker shortage and housing crisis. He says that agencies across the country are struggling with capacity, and as a result, things are delayed. Beyond the resort’s own struggles with housing and retaining employees, other firms and agencies outside of Revelstoke are struggling with the same issues, and Nielsen says it has been a challenge for them.
When asked how the resort plans to remain successful in these trying times, Nielsen says that the resort plans to continue to deliver the highquality experience that everyone has grown to expect out of the resort. Nielsen says the resort staff is proud of their world-class designation, “In order to do that, we need to be able to recruit and retain great people,” he says. “That’s priority number one — figuring out that so we can continue to deliver those experiences.”
Nielsen says another key to success for RMR is the ability to continue to grow. He says development needs to happen to increase visitation, which will directly benefit the community with more opportunities for other entrepreneurs in Revelstoke.
“The entrepreneurs in Revelstoke are really what create the vibe and create the culture that our guests get to experience beyond skiing and beyond our own operations,” Nielsen says.
With the town seeing a lot of change and development, Nielsen says, “Revelstokians care about their community on a level that you don’t always see, which is awesome. It’s not something to discourage, that’s for sure.”
Nielsen says residents and visitors can expect updates like this one regularly, as RMR strives to improve communication with the community.
(Left) Rendering of the East-facing side of the new Slopeside Hotel. Photo: Revelstoke Mountain Resort. (Right) Layout for the new Pipe Mountain Coaster track. Photo: Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
MAKING IT IN THE MOUNTAINS
(Left: Susan Lind, Charise Folnovic and Shea Slager at Art First. Photo: Nora Hughes) (Right: Works by Susan Lind at Art First Gallery. Photo: Nora Hughes) (Top: Metal creations by Shea Slager. Photo: Nora Hughes) IT’S EASY TO ROMANTICIZE THE IDEA OF LIVING AND WORKING IN AN INSPIRING LOCATION, BUT HOW DO ARTISTS MAKE IT A REALITY? SOME OF REVELSTOKE’S ART COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPLAIN WHAT IT’S LIKE MAKING IT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
By: Nora Hughes
Nestled next to the Columbia River, below cascading glaciers and alpine peaks, it’s easy to find natural inspiration in Revelstoke. The natural allure of the town has drawn people who crave the outdoors, adventure sports, culture, and community, among other things. Revelstoke fosters a robust artistic community, and the art scene blooms and blossoms as the town grows.
It’s easy to romanticize the confluence of place and passion. Living in Revelstoke can seem picturesque, as if an artist inspired by the mountains spends every day holed up in a beautiful alpine meadow, painting their surroundings. Finding inspiration can be easy, but how easy is it to make it as an artist in this mountain town?
“My dad used to say, falling off a greased log is easy,” says Shea Slager, metal artist and member of the Art First Gallery. “It is what you put into it. Just like everything else in life. If you want to be an artist, then you’re putting all your ponies in that race.”
Shea, Charise Folnovic, and Susan Lind are all part of the Art First Gallery located in downtown Revelstoke. The Gallery is run like a co-op, owned and operated by local artists. You need to be a member or commissioned artist to display your art in the gallery. Members pay a monthly membership fee and work 12 hours a month in the gallery. As a member, artists have a larger space for their artwork that they arrange. Commissioned artists have smaller displays. When a member’s art sells, the artist gets 80% of the profits, and 20% goes to the gallery. Commissioned artists split the profits 60/40 with the gallery. “As far as money goes, then together we’re much stronger as a group to sell our art and reach out and open up new markets,” Shea says.
“This is living the dream, I think,” Shea says. “People say I’m living the dream all the time.” Since retiring, Shea moved to Revelstoke, bought a fixer-upper house, creates art and hangs out with the folks at the gallery. It seems idyllic.
“It’s also hard work, though,” says Charise. “There’s maybe 30% actually making the art and then 70% admin, marketing, networking — all the stuff that you don’t even realize until you start doing it more full-time.” Charise’s travels inspire her artwork. A long career in hospitality paid for those travels before she transitioned into full-time art during the Pandemic. “It’s leaving that security safety blanket and then just going for it,” she says.
Shea said when he transitioned focus towards his art, he was worried about how other people would perceive it. “You’re gonna have an audience,” he says. “You’re giving up your security blanket to jump into a pool of alligators and have to manage all that. That’s the tough part for me.”
Susan points out the unexpected side of art. “You could put everything into it, and then art changes,” she says.
All three artists agree that the ease or difficulty of making a living at art is about personal definitions of success.
Many artists in Revelstoke have to hustle to make their art available to the community. Graphic designer and illustrator Benji Andringa collaborates with small businesses, creates his art, and then distributes it through those relationships. You may recognize some of Benji’s art from around town; The colourful illustrations on the Big Bear Limo or the art on the labels of Stoke the Fire’s hot sauce bottles. He has work displayed in Revy Outdoors, Mt. Begbie Brewing Co., Begbie Kids, and more. Benji has been successful in his career.
His success didn’t come without hard work. “Simply put, get creative, create your own opportunities. Break out of your comfort zone and interact with the community. Harness the
stoke,” Benji says, describing the hustle that has gone into his success. Benji offers graphic design and illustration services to make money but also does logos, branding, apparel and merchandise as his “bread and butter.”
Benji has been working for himself for the last four years as a freelancer. “The business end of freelancing has been a challenge. Everything from writing a business plan, pricing, pitching projects, bookkeeping and accounting,” he says. However, the hard work allows him to live his dream in Revelstoke. He can choose projects he’s passionate about and work with people who inspire him.
When Benji first came to town, he printed T-shirts by day for Integrated Apparel and Somewon Collective and cooked pizza by night at Nico’s Pizzeria. “Just like the town, it’s always growing and evolving,” Benji says, describing the art scene in Revelstoke. “You might be low on income here in Revelstoke, but you won’t be short on inspiration. If you have the right outlook and work hard, you can make it work.”
While all artists in town have some version of a hustle, definitions of success vary. For some artists in Revelstoke, the end goal isn’t to make a living off their art. “Some people are making a living, selling their art trade, and for me, it’s different,” Shea says. “I do it for pleasure, and I’m happy that it sells every once in a while.”
Cherise says making art is something that she has to do. “It’s something that just has to come out in some shape or form; otherwise, it can start to feel scattered or crazy,” she says.
Sometimes success can be a small part of a larger, endless cycle. Once achieved, the definition of success can change, and the process to get there starts all over again.
TOURISM TALKS
LET’S PLAN FOR REVELSTOKE 2073.
Tourism has brought money, jobs, and vitality to Revelstoke. It’s our largest industry, and it’s growing fast. But such rapid growth is risky. If left unchecked, tourism could easily cost us our ways of life, the environment, and all that makes Revelstoke special.
As residents, we have a choice. Will we let Revelstoke turn into another recreational Disneyland, or will we come together to make sure tourism actually leads to a vibrant, sustainable future? Revelstoke residents, we need your input. Your voice matters. Whether you’ve been here for 50 years or five, whether your haunt is Monashee Spirits or the Grizzly, whether you live for the outdoors or the indoors – have your say in shaping a vision for what Revelstoke will become for the next generations. Let’s plan for 50 years from now. Let’s plan for 2073.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
• Look for our surveyors in fall 2022 and tell them about your vision for
Revelstoke. • Attend a film showing presented by Tourism Revelstoke. • Participate in our school project with your family in fall 2022. • Visit DestinationRevelstoke.com and read about what we’re up to. • Contact Tourism Revelstoke directly. • Read our Tourism Talks column in the Revelstoke Mountaineer.
Revelstoke 2073 by Laurie Apeceche.
THE EVOLUTION OF REVELSTOKE'S VISUAL ARTS GALLERY
EXPLORING THE PAST AND FUTURE OF THE REVELSTOKE VISUAL ARTS CENTRE
By Melissa Jameson
Revelstoke may be world renowned for its mecca of all-season outdoor adventures, but Meghan Porath wants to shine more light on the community’s artistic side.
“I’m excited to bring it up to that level, to say, ‘I know we’ve got adventure, but have you seen the artistic side of this community?’”
Porath took over as executive director of the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre in September 2020. At that time the centre had been closed for several months due to restrictions on public gatherings brought on by COVID-19.
“My entire first year working here has been quite influenced by the pandemic. In little silver linings it meant that the programming wasn’t as full as it would be, or as much scheduled, so I could really focus and learn the nitty gritty details without having to expand all this energy into all the different places, because this job and this building is very comprehensive. So, it was a bit easier, not that I would say the pandemic was great in any sense at all, but it was nice that I was able to kind of learn and get my bearings.”
Coming from a background in tourism marketing and operational management, Porath admits she struggles with imposter syndrome working for a very large arts operation. It’s a bit surprising to hear, given how Porath has been able to use her experience, working along with the arts society, its board members, staff, and many volunteers, to help the centre navigate its way through the pandemic in creative ways. This has included changing the flow at exhibition openings by having people enter through the side entrance rather than the main doors, creating behind the scenes videos with exhibiting artists and using 360-degree photography to recreate the gallery experience for those who are unable to visit in person.
“It’s something we’re carrying forward because we’re able to now catalogue our gallery exhibitions. You can go and see Zuzana Riha’s show from 2020 on our website. You don’t have to be here,” said Porath.
The centre, which is housed in a former RCMP building, also began paying homage to the building’s police roots, displaying exhibition works in the remaining cells, aptly named the “jail house gallery” — something long-time Revelstoke Arts Society Member Ken Talbot says was part of the original vision for the centre.
“Right at the onset, when we first got going here and [the back of the building] was all still solid cell blocks, that was part of our vision at the time, turning that into extra gallery space. We had plans of doing live performances in the back. It was all part of the vision, it just took a little while to come to be,” said Talbot.
SUB: How one woman’s painting lessons led to the creation of Revelstoke’s thriving arts scene
The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre has been housed in its Wilson Street home since 2004, but the evolution of art in Revelstoke began more simply: with painting lessons.
English-born artist Sophie Atkinson spent much of her life exploring the world, travelling to numerous places including India, Denmark, the United States, and Canada. She would make her way to British Columbia, where she fell in love with the landscape, and in 1949 decided to make her home in Revelstoke. An accomplished painter of still lifes and landscapes, Atkinson began teaching art classes to the local children.
“She originally started teaching kids classes and realized she just didn’t like kids, so stuck with the adults. She would meet with a lot of the people in town who were artists as well and they would just paint and create together. Eventually it turned into the Revelstoke Art Group. It just started very organically,” Porath said. In the late 1960s, Atkinson would return to the United Kingdom, settling in Edinburgh. Her artistic legacy in Revelstoke continued however, and in the 1970s members of the arts group began looking for a place to showcase their works, finding space on the top floor of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives’ building.
Porath shared that the art group maintained that gallery space quite some time, until the museum expanded and required use of the upper floor. Left without a home, the group would find temporary refuge in a now torn-down building located where the Chevron gas station now sits. Talbot recalled:
“Where the previous gas station was, there was a building beside it. At one point it had been a steak house. The gallery was set up in there, very briefly, before the building was going to be demolished to expand the gas station and reconfigure the traffic. That was always the struggle, not having a home for the art, a place to store the collection and to mount exhibitions and that kind of stuff.”
When the Revelstoke RCMP moved to its current downtown location on Campbell Avenue, members of the arts group put together a proposal to take over the vacant building on Wilson Street. The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre opened in 2004.
“The Revelstoke Art Group was instrumental in getting things together and putting up the proposal to the city to acquire the building. There’s a lot of just plain work overhead to maintaining the whole facility, and even at that time the average age of the original art group was moving on. They spent a huge amount of energy just getting things going,” said Talbot.
Deciding they could no longer sustain the sheer amount of work required to maintain the newly opened arts centre, members of the art group decided to incorporate a new society to try and bring in fresh faces, in particular younger people with more energy to really get things to pick up and go. The Revelstoke Visual Arts Society incorporated shortly after the opening of the visual arts centre.
Creating a community gathering space while maintaining a focus on supporting artists
Walk into the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre today and you’ll find homage paid to its organic roots. There’s a side gallery named in honour of Atkinson, who was teacher and mentor to many artists who were part of the original art group. Some of those artists are still creating works today, and it’s not uncommon to see their creations on display, both as part of member and solo exhibitions. The centre is also home to a pottery guild, a wood shop, and eight private artist spaces. The centre also hosts after school programming, kids’ art camps, adult art classes and the city’s banner program.
“That was all part of the original vision. Yes, a home for the art, but then also a big incubation centre where artists can come and work their craft. We’ve had a lot of artists over the years who have developed their skills and then moved to commercial spaces of their own,” said Talbot The centre is also establishing itself as a community gathering place with a community garden built in partnership with the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative, xeriscape gardens, outdoor tables to sit at, and more recently, the introduction of an educational beehive. While the added activities and attractions help to draw-in more tourists and locals alike, Porath maintains that the core purpose remains in supporting artists.
“That’s what it all comes back to, it’s an art centre. The other day somebody emailed saying they really liked an artist’s work and they wanted to contact them about potentially doing some T-shirt designs. So of course, we’re going to email the artist, we’re able to be that pivot point between organizations that don’t know how to reach out to artists. I think that’s what this role and this whole centre is all about, said Porath. “This whole centre was built and created by so many people […] I’ve been allowed to come in and make my own mark on it, which has been incredible. I would like to see more artists coming into the galleries. I think we should be having a pretty good mix of artists local to Revelstoke, local to the Kootenays. I want to bring in more B.C. artists, because I want the gallery to be not only for visitors to come see what we can [create], but I also want to show our locals all the different art that’s out there […] I think not only the Revelstoke Visual arts centre is doing that, but the arts council, Luna Fest, all these players are coming to really elevate the art that exists within this town.”
The Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre is located at 320 Wilson Street and is open Wednesday through Friday from 12 p.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information about the centre visit revelstokeartgallery.ca.
Top left: Daniel Bhattacharya and family will start in Revelstoke in September. Top right: Executive Director Miriam Manley pictured backstage at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre in 2015.
ARTS REVESLTOKE SAYS FAREWELL TO ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MIRIAM MANLEY AFTER 10 YEARS AND WELCOMES DANIEL BHATTACHARYA TO THE ORGANIZATION.
By Nora Hughes
In Miriam Manley's ten years with Arts Revelstoke as Artistic and Executive Director (AED), she has seen the organization more than double. This fall, Manley will move on from her position at the organization and assume the role of Executive Director for the British Columbia Touring Council. She leaves behind a legacy.
The organization has evolved since Manley took over to include a professional, full-time staff member team. Arts Revelstoke has built strong relationships with the City of Revelstoke and Tourism Revelstoke that have helped to ingrain Arts Revelstoke into the foundation of the community. As one of her first assignments with the organization, Manley implemented professional standards in the operation of the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre. As a result of the changes she made, Arts Revelstoke received federal funding to support the centre's activities.
Arts Revelstoke is the pulse of artistic diversity and inclusion for the city, and Manley has been a big part of the organization's success. She is credited with the rebranding of the organization and its programming. In addition, Manley is the co-founder and curator of Luna Festival and Luna sound and is known for commissioning new artists and work.
"You see the value in what we do," Manley says in an interview with Revelstoke Mountaineer staff. Arts Revelstoke has an established program. Residents have come to anticipate the year-round queue of events such as REVY.Live, Luna Festival, Guerilla Gigs, and Movies in the Mountain. The Art Alleries installations are testaments to the town's culture and creativity — transforming ordinary allies into galleries and giving visitors a window into Revelstoke's history and spirit.
It's evident that Manley is leaving behind years of pure passion when asked about her favourite moments working with Arts Revelstoke.
Manley recalls her favourite moments at Arts Revelstoke being some of the highlight performances at the performing arts centre. Hosting artists such as Spirit of the West and Corb Lund are some of Manley's most memorable experiences. "They really stand out as being amazing shows that had sold-out audiences and that electric kind of atmosphere in the air where everyone's just having an amazing time," she says. "Then the other thing would obviously be Luna and Art Alleries, just being a part of that, I'm proud of what we've achieved."
In her role at the BC Touring Council, Manley says she's excited to work provincially with people, venues, and theatres across the province.
Daniel Bhattacharya will take over for Manley as Arts Revelstoke's new AED. Bhattacharya is involved in the Arts as a musician, educator, administrator and Filmmaker. As a musician, Bhattacharya has performed on famous stages worldwide and worked on hundreds of soundtracks, including films such as Lord of the Rings, Black Panther, Dunkirk and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Bhattacharya says his goals for the organization include encouraging different sectors of society to attend events they haven't experienced and program events that appeal to a wide range of tastes. "The arts really should be for everyone, but it can only be so with strategic planning and communication," he said in an email to Mountaineer staff.
Additionally, Bhattacharya says he's intrigued by Revelstoke's uniqueness and wants to use that to develop Arts Revelstoke. "I am interested to see what makes the people of Revelstoke proud to be from this community and what they would like to see reflected in this organization," he says. "I would also like to attract artists who are not just coming for a single event but who would forge a lasting relationship with the town and its people."
Bhattacharya says that Arts Revelstoke's commitment to the community attracted him to the position. "Speaking to members of the board has shown me that there is a real commitment to the Arts and the community," he explains. "This is so important [because] if we are not listening to the local community, then arts will not thrive."
