Museums & Galleries

EDITOR’S PICK

WILDERNESS ARTISTRY

The Ken Hoehn Gallery (p 29) tells stories of life, love and the wild spaces that surround us. Growing up in northern Canada, artist Ken Hoehn spent his childhood exploring nature and honing his wilderness skills. Now, he spends time in places of incredible beauty as he looks to uncover their secrets. He strives to photograph the concepts of these places, and he captures everything from the plight of the polar bears to the tenderness of motherhood and the passing of life and time. “It’s about the study of nature,” Hoehn explains, “Without that study and without growing up in the woods, I wouldn’t have this portfolio today. It’s not about the photography. Nature comes first.” -KATE BARKER

LAW OF THE LAND

Canmore's North-West Mounted Police Barracks (p 27) was built in 1839. It served as the town’s jail as well as the lodgings and office for police. It is the oldest NWMP site in western Canada still on its original location. The building is restored to reflect the 19171920 time period, when it served as a family home and police station. Take a tour to uncover the history of this charming mountain town. -KB

HISTORICAL HIDEOUTS

Catharine and Peter Whyte were well known artists who lived and loved the Canadian Rockies. Their artwork expressed the beauty and remoteness of the mountain landscapes around them, and they often focussed on lesser-known areas to bring a unique perspective to the area. Their legacy of art capturing the vast landscapes of the mountains is preserved in the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (p 27). -KB

MUSEUMS & CULTURE

Banff BANFF PARK MUSEUM National Historic Site. Western Canada’s oldest natural history museum. The 1903 railway pagoda style building houses 5,000 Victorian animal specimens that date from 1860. See Banff’s mammals, birds, and insects. Reading area and hands-on discovery room. 91 Banff Ave, 403-762-1558

BUFFALO NATIONS MUSEUM Log fortress with life-size dioramas depicting the traditional life and ceremonies of the late 1800s plains tribes. A First Nations’ Elder is often available to conduct tours and play music. Shop for native crafts and jewellery. Free tea and coffee. 1 Birch Ave by the Recreation Grounds, 403-762-2388

CAVE & BASIN NATIONAL

HISTORIC SITE Three railway workers discovered the thermal springs that led to the creation of Banff, Canada’s first national park, in 1885. Interpretive media exhibits on the protected waters’ heritage; accessible tunnel to cave, thermal springs and emerald colour basin; and big screen videos on Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas. Internment Exhibit Building has detention of WWI ‘enemy aliens’ displays. 311 Cave Ave, 403-762-1566

HERITAGE HALL Established 1888, the Fairmont Banff Springs is an icon of Banff and a gracious representation of an earlier age. The Museum within a Museum exhibit chronicles the hotel’s role in the development of the mountain parks history and culture. Mezzanine one, Fairmont Banff Springs

WHYTE MUSEUM OF THE

CANADIAN ROCKIES Founded in 1968 by Peter and Catharine Whyte, the museum encourages a connection to the Canadian Rockies through art, culture, history and events. Four galleries, archives, museum shop and library. Guided tours and heritage home visits by appointment. Events listed online. Open 10 am-5 pm. $10; sr $9; st $5; under 12 free. 111 Bear St, 403-762-2291, whyte.org Canmore ARTSPLACE Community arts centre featuring visual, ceramic and fabrication studios, 105 seat black box theatre and The Hub Gallery free art exhibits. Event schedule, workshop and performance tickets online. 950 8 Ave, 403-609-2623, artsplacecanmore.com

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NORDIC

SKIING Displaying 1988 Olympic Winter Games memorabilia. Local Olympic medallist photos and ski gear from the 1940s and onwards. Canmore Nordic Centre, 8:30 am-5:30 pm, 403-678-2400

CANMORE ART GUILD

GALLERY Showcasing CAG member works. Events and shows online. Open 11 am-5 pm. Closed Wed. Elevation Place, 700 Railway Ave, 403-678-8920

CANMORE MUSEUM & GEOSCI-

ENCE CENTRE Ongoing exhibit From Coal to Community presents the evolving history of Canmore. Virtual Reality Experience tours the Wilson Steam Mine, complete with stories told from miners who worked there. Large gift shop. Canmore Civic Centre, 902B 7 Ave, 403-678-2462, canmoremsueum.com

NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE

BARRACKS One of Canmore’s oldest remaining buildings, est. 1893, and one of the few NWMP Barracks on its original site. Police served the growing mining town and prevented illegal liquor transport on the railway. Historic furnishings, heritage garden and gift shop. Self-guided tour, kids’ activities. Hours vary. Admission by donation. 609 Main St near Policeman’s Creek, 403-678-1955/2462, canmoremuseum.com/nwmpbarracks

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont Banff Springs (p 28) and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (p 81) showcases the best in Canadian art. This summer, they are expanding their artist in residence program! There will be more artists, more demonstrations and more interactions with the people behind the artwork. Kenneth Harrison is a frequent artist in residence, both in Banff and Jasper. "The artist in residence program at Mountain Galleries is probably one of the most interesting things people have to enjoy while visiting the Banff Springs,” he says. "We spend a lot of time visiting with the guests, and talking to young, aspiring artists. -KB

PDA

Canmore embraces its creative side with public displays of art, located throughout the town. Beginning in 2003, the town has commissioned public artwork from Canadian artists, many of whom live in the valley or nearby. The collection currently has nine works, with a tenth scheduled to be installed this year. Take a walk to find the Ceannmõre (Big Head) on Main Street (pictured above), Touchstone, just outside Elevation Place, or the Portal XII on the walking trails leading to Cougar Creek. Have you seen all nine? Maps with descriptions and artist credit are available online and from the Town of Canmore. -KATE BARKER

Lake Louise

LAKE LOUISE VISITOR CENTRE

Newly renovated! Displays interpret the Canadian Rockies’ natural and human history. Brochures and travel advice from Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Parks Canada. Samson Mall, 403-762-8421, toll free 877-762-8421

COMMERCIAL GALLERIES

Banff

ALL IN THE WILD GALLERY

Framed, matted and canvas wildlife photography by award-winning photographer, Jason Leo Bantle. Iconic and classic shots of bears, Arctic fox and wolves. Books, calendars, art, cards, t-shirt and puzzles. Proceeds support conservation efforts. 105 Banff Ave, 403-760-3141

CANADA HOUSE GALLERY

Since 1974, this spacious and iconic Banff venue has connected mountain lovers with iconic Canadian artwork. The gallery boasts a friendly and informed staff. Casual, inviting atmosphere selling top quality, Canadian artwork. Moving forward under new ownership, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary Canadian artists and their original paintings, sculptures and jewellery. All works and exhibits posted online. Worldwide shipping available. Member of the Art Dealers Association of Canada. 201 Bear St, 403-762-3757, canadahouse.com

CARTER-RYAN GALLERY Description same as Canmore (right). 229 Bear St, 403-985-5556

MOUNTAIN GALLERIES at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Canadian fine art since 1992 in a spacious and modern gallery. Director Wendy Wacko and her passionate team of educated art professionals convey a unique perspective through their collection of paintings from abstract impressionism to magic realism with a focus on wilderness landscapes. Museum quality glass, clay, stone and bronze sculptures as well as Inuit prints and carvings. Ongoing theme: Wild & Sacred Places. Art classes, an increasing number of artists-in-residence and guaranteed worldwide shipping. Fairmont Banff Springs, lobby level, 403-760-2382, mountaingalleries.com

WILLOCK & SAX GALLERY

Historic and contemporary western Canadian painters, sculptors, print makers, photographers and ceramic artists. 210 Bear St, 403-762-2214

Canmore

ALL IN THE WILD GALLERY

Description same as Banff (left). 712 Main St, 403-609-3141

BERG GALLERY 15 Canadian artists and showcasing mountain landscape and wildlife paintings, Inuit sculptures, wood carvings and stone sculptures, including from the owner Grant Berg. Collection online. Lobby, Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Kananaskis Village, 403-591-6200

CARTER-RYAN GALLERY Aboriginal artist Jason Carter’s bold, colourful paintings and soapstone sculptures. Home to bestselling Who is Boo and The Curious Bear in the Red Canoe books, written by Bridget Ryan and illustrated by Jason Carter. 705 Main St, 403-621-1000

ELEVATION GALLERY Showcasing paintings, sculptures and designer jewellery. Modern works by regional artists. Monthly exhibits with public openings. 729 Main St, 403-609-3324

Did you Know? The Bow River was named by the First Nations peoples who used to make bows from the Douglas fir saplings that grew along its banks. -KATE BARKER

FIREWEED GLASS STUDIO Open by appointment only. Owned by four artists with four unique styles. Working studio and gallery; see glassblowers working their craft. Blown and sculpted glass art on display and for sale. Call for hours. 8, 111 Bow Meadows Cres, 403-609-9333, fireweedglassstudio.ca

KEN HOEHN GALLERY Wilderness artist Ken Hoehn presents his photographic journey through life at his spacious downtown gallery. Not just a nature photographer, Hoehn captures the stories and concepts behind his stunning images of iconic wildlife and untouched landscapes. He presents his striking interpretations of nature in his artwork, as well as in his books, which are for sale in the gallery. 104, 729 Main St, 403-948-4776, kenhoehn.ca

OF CABBAGES & KINGS Two generations of potters. Katie Borrowman and her father, John, hand make beautiful and functional pottery. Purchase mugs, teapots, dinner sets, piggy banks, and tiles, as well as sculptural pieces. Commissions welcome. 129 Bow Meadows Cres, 403-678-1922

THE ARTISTS OF ELK RUN “Creative edge of Canmore.” A collective of different studios that showcase a wide variety of styles, mediums and interpretations. At 129 Bow Meadows Cres: Of Cabbages & Kings Pottery, 403-678-1922; Tony Bloom Studios Metal sculptures, 403-609-7087. At 102 Bow Meadows Cres: Rudi Peet Goldsmith Custom jewellery, 403-678-6131; Peig Abbott Sculpture Stone carvings, 403-830-2820. At 105 Bow Meadows Cres: Blue Eyes Studio Kathryn Cooke mixed media, 403-762-3133; Kari Woo Contemporary Art Jewellery, 403-890-2011; Alexis McKeown Portrait Women’s portraiture, 403-760-5624. At 111 Bow Meadows Cres: Fireweed Glass Studio Glassblowers, 403-609-9333. At 102 Boulder Cres: Dawn Saunders Dahl Paintings and photos; Jennifer D'Entremont Mixed media; Wanda Ellerbeck Paintings

The Ken Hoehn

Gallery

iconic images of nature 104-729 Main Street, Canmore, Alberta www.KenHoehn.ca