Museums & Galleries

MOUNTAIN ART

EDITOR’S PICK

There are many thoughtfully curated art galleries located throughout the Rockies. In Banff be sure to weave left and right off Banff Ave, and in Canmore Main Street will be a great place to start. With an abundance of art forms – paintings, sculptures, textiles and jewellery – Canada House Gallery (p 32) in Banff is dedicated to showcasing the best in Canadian Art. In Canmore, Fallen Leaf Gallery (p 32) celebrates the community by showcasing locally created art. Here you’ll find artists who have mastered their art forms and deliver colourful, unique pieces that will add the perfect flair to any home.

WILD FOOTPRINTS

Ever wonder what made those tracks in the snow? A trip to the interpretation centre at the upper terminal of the Banff Gondola (p 37) will help you solve that mystery. Learn about the animals, plants and minerals associated with the park. This family-friendly mountaintop museum allows you to get up close and personal with many of the majestic animals who call the Canadian Rockies home from bears and bighorn sheep to birds and bees! -RYAN MASSEL

LEGENDS & MYTHS

It’s always fun to know the history of a town. Stop by the 1903 Banff Trading Post (p 46) founded by Norman Luxton. Inside you’ll find a collection of authentic indigenous crafts including fur lined moccasins and Mukluks, dream catchers and handmade knives. Be sure to ask about the tales of the legendary Merman who lives in the shop. -RYAN MASSEL

MUSEUMS & CULTURE VENUES

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. Virtual live screenings, events and workshops available. 950 8 Ave, Canmore, 403-609-2623, artsplacecanmore.com

BANFF PARK MUSEUM NATIONAL

HISTORIC SITE Temporairly closed with plans to reopen in 2021. Western Canada’s oldest natural history museum. The 1903 railway pagoda style building houses over 5,000 Victorian animal specimens that date from 1860. See Banff’s mammals, birds, and insects and learn how they live in the Rockies. 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 crafts and jewellery. Tea and coffee available. 1 Birch Ave by the Recreation Grounds, Banff, 403-762-2388

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, 403-678-2400

CANMORE MUSEUM & GEOSCIENCE

CENTRE Ongoing exhibit From Coal to Community presents Canmore as a First Nations way station, Canadian Pacific Railway hub, coal mining town, place to study the earth’s geological history, and modern vibrant community. Virtual Reality Experience tours the Wilson Steam Mine, complete with stories told from miners who worked there. Gift shop selling history and geology books, fossils, educational toys, archival reproductions and local art. Canmore Civic Centre, 902B 7 Ave, 403-678-2462, canmoremsueum.com

GREAT GALLERIES

Just as beautiful as the mountain scenery surrounding Canadian Rockies is the original artwork found in the galleries of these mountain towns. Jason Leo Bantle showcases his award-winning wildlife photography while raising money to protect natural spaces at his All in the Wild Gallery (p 32). Local photographer Brandon T. Brown captures iconic wildlife images by using a wildlife-first approach, which results in photographs of natural behaviour and positive encounters. Wilderness artist Ken Hoehn captures more than just iconic images of wildlife. Each image tells a story and captures a greater underlying meaning. Visit the Ken Hoehn Gallery (p 32) to experience his artistic vision. -KATE BARKER

CAVE & BASIN NATIONAL HISTORIC

SITE Three railway workers stumbled upon 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, and videos on Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas. Tunnel to cave, thermal springs and emerald colour basin. 311 Cave Ave, Banff, 403-845-3524

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

NORTHWEST MOUNTED POLICE

BARRACKS One of Canmore’s oldest remaining buildings, est. 1893, and one of the few NWMP Barracks on its original site. Historic furnishings, heritage items and gift shop. 609 Main St, Canmore, 403-678-1955

LAKE LOUISE VISITOR CENTRE

Displays on the Canadian Rockies’ natural and human history plus travel advice and brochures. Samson Mall, Lake Louise, 403-522-3833

WALTER PHILLIPS GALLERY Exploring contemporary art though Canadian and international artists. Exhibits change regularly. Glyde Hall, Banff Centre, 403-762-6281

Did you Know? Avalanches only need a slope of 25 degrees or more. Steeper sections of green ski runs or almost all areas on blue runs are steep enough for an avalanche. -KATE BARKER

DISCOVER CANMORE

Experience Canmore's must-see locations during an interactive and creative exploration with Mystery Town Tours (p 38). Using your phone and the free app, you’ll solve clues and visit overlooked waypoints as you traverse the destinations in unexpected ways. To discover historical sites dating back to Canmore's early settlement days, when it was known as Siding 27, find an interactive map at Canmore Museum (p 31) and online. Discover the history of the North West Mounted Police at the NWMP Barracks (p 31) on Canmore's Main

Street. -RYAN MASSEL

WHYTE MUSEUM OF THE CANA-

DIAN 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. Rotating art exhibits include Drawn to the West and Breathe until Jan 17. See online for upcoming exhibits. Guided tours and heritage home visits by appointment. Events listed online. Virtual tours and resources available. 111 Bear St, Banff, 403-762-2291, whyte.org

GALLERIES

ALL IN THE WILD GALLERY Framed, matted and canvas wildlife photography by Jason Leo Bantle including shots of bears, Arctic fox and wolves. Books, calendars, art cards, t-shirt and puzzles. 105 Banff Ave, 403-760-3141 and 712 Main St, Canmore, 403-609-3141 ART COUNTRY CANADA Welcoming space with original paintings, prints, hand carved wood, soapstone and bronzes. All are beautifully displayed in this unique gallery. Exclusive artists include Shannon Lawlor, Robert Bateman, Darren Haley and Alan Wylie. 729 Main St, Canmore, 403-678-4456

CANADA HOUSE GALLERY Spacious and iconic Banff venue boasting friendly and informed staff. Moving forward under new ownership, the gallery is dedicated to showcasing contemporary Canadian artists and their original paintings, scultpures and jewellery. Hosting regular exhibitions with renowned artists. All works, exhibits and event details posted online. Secure worldwide shipping available. Proud member of the Art Dealers Association of Canada. Virtual exhibitions available online. 201 Bear St, Banff, 403-762-3757, canadahouse.com CARTER-RYAN GALLERY Showcasing Cree 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. 229 Bear St, Banff, 403-985-5556 and 705 Main St, Canmore, 403-621-1000

FALLEN LEAF GALLERY Representing local and Canadian artists from established professionals to emerging talent. A soulful journey across Canada that celebrates talent, beauty and unity. 102, 822 Main St, Canmore, 403-678-5034

FIREWEED GLASS STUDIO 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, Canmore, 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, Canmore, 403-948-4776, kenhoehn.ca

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. Artist in Residence discussions and guaranteed worldwide shipping. Fairmont Banff Springs, 403-760-2382, mountaingalleries.com

OF CABBAGES & KINGS Studio where Katie Borrowman and her father John handmake beautiful functional pottery like mugs, teapots, dinner sets, sinks and tiles, as well as sculptural pieces. Commissions welcome. 129 Bow Meadows Cres, Canmore, 403-678-1922

THE HIVE & ELEVATION GALLERY

An accessible and welcoming gallery showcasing a collection of fine art by emerging and mid-career artists with the mission of remaining regional, relevant and modern. 200, 729 Main St Canmore, 403-609-3324

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

ARTISTS OF ELK RUN

The “Creative edge of Canmore”. A collective of professional artists with working studios in the Elk Run District of Canmore. Featuring painting, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, photography, glass art and more.

At 129 Bow Meadows Cres: Of Cabbages & Kings Pottery, 403-678-1922; Tony Bloom, Stonecrop Studios Metal sculptures, 403-609-7087

At 102 Bow Meadows Cres: Peig Abbott Sculpture Stone carvings, 403-830-2820; Rudi Peet Goldsmith Quality custom jewellery, 403-678-6131

At 105 Bow Meadows Cres: Alexis McKeown Portrait Women’s portraiture, 403-760-5624; Barb Fyvie Studio Oil paint and cold wax, 403-688-0662; Blue Eyes Studio Kathryn Cooke colourful mixed media, 403-762-3133; Kari Woo Contemporary Art Modern jewellery, 403-890-2011

At 111 Bow Meadows Cres: Fireweed Glass Studio Five unique glassblowers, 403-609-9333

At 102 Boulder Cres: Dawn Saunders Dahl Paintings and photos on canvas, wood and clay, 403-479-4084; 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