Fernie & Elk Valley
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Fernie & Elk Valley Cultural Guide SPRING 2017 Photo: Raven Eye Photography Eye Raven Photo: TOURISMFERNIE.COM SPRING 2017 The Communities of the Elk Valley In the heart of the majestic Canadian SPARWOOD lies in the middle of Rocky Mountains, the Elk Valley is a the valley and is the first community hidden oasis of verdant landscapes, reached on entering from Alberta. The charming towns and abundant town’s name is derived from the local recreation. For over 100 years, trees that were used for manufacturing pioneers have travelled to the region, spars for ocean vessels. The town was first in search of valuable minerals, and founded as a new home for the residents now seeking a sanctuary focused on of the temporary communities of A CULTURAL GUIDE TO FERNIE AND THE ELK VALLEY family, community and the beautiful Michel and Natal. Several art murals ARTS, CULTURE & HERITAGE outdoors. Mining still forms the base can be seen here, depicting the strong of a thriving economy that has now connection to coal mining, with some by Canada 150 in Fernie 4 diversified and welcomes a variety of Michelle Loughery who was born in the The Fernie Museum and Downtown Visitor Centre 6 artisans, small businesses, and an active area and went on to become a world- Cultural Attractions in the Elk Valley 8 year-round recreational and cultural renowned muralist. Heritage Walking Tour of Fernie 10 tourism industry. Patio Season 15 Pop: 3,784 | Founded 1966 The Balmer North Mine Disaster 16 FERNIE is the largest and oldest of the 3 main communities in the Elk Valley. At the head of the valley is ELKFORD, The Fernie Oil Derrick 17 A town rich in heritage, award-winning a small town with a passionate arts Fernie Heritage Library 18 architecture, and spectacular scenery, community. Writing, painting, Feature Author: Pepper Couëlle-Sterling 19 Fernie charms and delights all ages. photography, and pottery are among Ktunaxa Territory and the Squirrel of the Elk Valley 20 Whether strolling century-old Historic the popular endeavours, and well- The Arts Station 22 Downtown, exploring the unique known glass artist Katherine Russell Feature Artist: Kyle Hamilton 23 geography, visiting artists and artisans or has a working studio here. Elkford is Galleries & Studios in the Elk Valley 24 revelling in the packed cultural calendar, the gateway to the Elk Lakes Provincial Events Calendar 26 there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Park, a remote protected area bordering Coming This Summer 28 Alberta’s Kananaskis Country. Pop: 5,249 | Founded 1898 Pride in Fernie 30 Incorporated 1904 Pop: 1,752 | Founded 1971 2 tourismfernie.com | ferniestoke.com #ferniestoke 3 FERNIE ARTOGRAPHY FERNIE TREASURES AND Fernie Museum June 15–Sept 4 CURIOSITIES Fernie Museum, Sept 14, 2017– March 31, 2018 CANADA 150 in Fernie What does community mean? For over Local photographer Kyle Hamilton has 120 years, Fernie has been home to documented the everyday faces of settlers who arrived from around the Fernie from 2015 to 2017 by capturing globe. Through tragedy, perseverance, Fernie residents in a series of dramatic and prosperity, Fernie has grown into portraits. Each subject tells the story the home and destination that we know of why they live in Fernie and the and love today. importance of community and place. Read more about Kyle on P23. Exploring our collective sense of place In celebration of CANADA 150, and identity through visual art and Canada’s 150th anniversary of MAPLE LEAF TULIPS storytelling. 50 pieces of art will be confederation, Fernie’s cultural Eco Garden, Spring selected from a wealth of material; organizations have come together to including the works of Canadian artists From a collection of almost 10,000 discover who we are—as a community, A.Y. Jackson and David Paton, local Cultural History artifacts, local a culture, and as a small city with a contemporary visual artists such as residents will select 150 objects that rich history—and how these values Laura Nelson, Patrick Markle and reflect stories of the history, society fit into our country’s shared history Melanie MacVoy and video artist and personal lives of the individuals who and culture. Gwen McGregor. The artists will chose to live here. Through stories of each share their personal connection Together, the Fernie Museum and the the objects’ provenance, useful life and and stories related to their work on Fernie Arts Station seeks to promote relevance, the exhibition will serve as a the Connections app. Programming discussion of how people, places, and cultural looking glass into how society includes a curator’s talk, workshops, community treasurers define the functions and how our essential—and Local gardeners and volunteers have and readings. character of our community in a year- non-essential—needs change over time. planted a special mountain-themed long multimedia and multi-disciplinary border of Maple Leaf Tulips as part of CANADA DAY 150 FESTIVAL TREASURES FROM FERNIE arts and heritage initiative. Other the Canada 150 celebrations. Take a Fernie Aquatic Centre, July 1 ATTICS organizations will also hold cultural stroll to the Fernie Eco Garden located Fernie Community Centre events in keeping with the theme. in Prentice Park by 5th Ave and 13th St. Join a sea of red rolling towards the October 7th Aquatic Centre for Canada Day Celebrate with us March 3, 2017– Tulips are expected to start blooming cake with the mayor, followed by an In the style of the Canadian Antiques March 31, 2018. in May. afternoon of games, live entertainment, Road Show, local residents are invited Events include: CONNECTIONS: THE and the first Mountain Market of the to bring their treasures to be evaluated. CANADIAN YOUTH IDENTITY summer. As night falls, the sky will light Stories of the objects and their owners I AM FERNIE BY KYLE PROJECT up with a spectacular firework display will be recorded for a web series to HAMILTON Arts Station April 27–May 23 for the whole family to enjoy. be presented on the Fernie Museum Fernie Museum until May 31 website and Connections App 150 youth from the Elk Valley have worked in groups of 10 to create FERNIE CHAUTAUQUA AND 15 group art projects exploring THE FALL FAIR the concept of Canadian youth Fernie Museum and Prentice Park, identity—what makes them proud to Sept 14–17 be Canadian, what individuals they Celebrating the history and bounty feel best represent Canada on a local, of living in the mountains. A cultural nation, and international stage, and cornucopia of entertainment, food and what places, both locally and nationally, family fun. they identify as uniquely Canadian… and why. 4 5 The Fernie Museum and Downtown Visitor Centre IAMFERNIE Photography exhibit by KYLE HAMILTON Whether it’s five days or five generations, we are all part of the Fernie community. March 2 to May 30, 2017 Explore our community through the eyes of 150 Fernie residents. Fernie Museum At the centre of Historic Downtown, the Fernie Museum and Visitor Centre makes its home in the 1908 Home Bank building. Learn all about Fernie’s rich and dramatic history and heritage, things to do, attractions, upcoming events, festivals and more. Part of a Canada 150 Cultural Series Presented by the Fernie Museum and the Fernie Arts Station This exhibit is made possible Resort Municipality INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS COMMUNITY INNOVATION Initiative FERNIE, BRITISH COLUMBIA through the support of Investing in B.C. Resort Communities CITY OF FERNIE This Is Our Fernie explores the legend In April, the Fernie & District Historical of a curse, fires that razed the town to Society will be launching a new heritage CITY OF FERNIE BRITISH COLUMBIA the ground and mining disasters that initiative to support awareness and cut like a knife through the community. the ongoing conservation of Fernie’s This main floor exhibit includes the heritage buildings in partnership with interactive Fernie Faces audio/visual the City of Fernie. Heritage buildings Park Place Lodge proudly supports arts and culture in Fernie and programs to explore history through the are important community assets. CANADA 150 celebrations. Stay with us and enjoy Fernie’s Historic eyes of early residents, a mine tunnel They give our community context and Downtown with its unique dining, shops, cafes and attractions. and Discovery Drawers for the little meaning. Fernie’s historic buildings ones to peek into, and a timeline that define our community’s identity and documents Fernie’s evolution spanning attract thousands of tourists annually. an entire wall. Heritage buildings provide some of our city’s most affordable housing and are This summer the museum will be offering popular places to live, work and play. guided walking tours of Fernie’s iconic Through workshops, granting programs heritage buildings on weekends, and and tours, Heritage Fernie promotes scheduled cemetery tours and bus tours the conservation of heritage buildings to abandoned mining sites. which promote our sense of place and identity and foster community and environmental sustainability. Visit heritagefernie.com to learn more about this exciting new program. The Museum will also offer a series of walking tours this summer; see P28. 691 2nd Ave | 250-423-7016 250-423-6871 | www.parkplacelodge.com | 6 ferniemuseum.com FERNIE MUSEUM BEANPOD CHOCOLATE Visitor Information Centre, This is Our Fernie permanent One of just a handful of artisan chocolate makers in the ATTRACTION listings exhibit, seasonal gallery exhibitions, special events and entire world producing chocolate the traditional way. Watch interpretive walks. Home of the Downtown Visitor Centre. antique chocolate making machines, sample chocolate See feature, P6. nibs and learn about the process from bean to bar. Freshly 491 2nd Ave, Fernie | ferniemuseum.com roasted coffee, gelato (summer only) and macarons made 250-423-7016 | Open: Daily, 10am–5:30pm in-house.