In a town known for oversized parties 2012 marks a special occasion for the Whistler Arts Council.
"We're celebrating our 30th anniversary this year," says Arts Council director Doti Niedermeyer. "Funding is tight though, so we're celebrating it with a keg of beer and a bunch of donated pizzas."
Funds or not, through years of volunteer work and dedication Whistler has grown into an arts and culture destination to compliment its natural beauty and plethora of recreation options.
Being named the Cultural Capital of Canada in 2009 and the 2010 Winter Games didn't hurt either. "The Olympics gave us a super-leg up," Niedermeyer says. "Art is way more visible in this town than fifteen years ago."
More visible perhaps because of the dozen or so commercial art galleries carrying high-end pieces from across the globe meaning fine Art lovers, and more importantly buyers, now have Whistler on their radar.
"Since 1996 we have shipped art all over the world," says Tamara Cooke of The Plaza Galleries, Whistler's largest art house boasting an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures and glasswork. "We have many high-end collectors from the US and Europe who return year after year."
Showcasing a handful of galleries and enough artwork to launch a mini renaissance Gallery Row in the Hilton Whistler Resort is a must-see and features everything from large stone sculpture (Fathom Stone Arts) to flashy contemporary paintings (Whistler Village Art Gallery) to the eye-boggling "luminious photo impressionism" pieces at local artist Mark Richards self-titled gallery. The Mountain Galleries just opened a second location there, building on their successful Fairmont Chateau Whistler spot.
Not to be outdone, The Westin Resort hosts the all-abstract Suzanne Johnston Gallery, The Inuit Gallery, and the Adele Campbell Gallery, open since 1992 and known for hosting frequent exhibitions and workshops.
"It's about our relationships with the artists and connecting them to the client," says owner Michelle Kirkegaard. Local photographer Blake Jorgenson displays there and Canadian oil painter Paul Paquette will be in town for a show January 14.
North-West Coast Native art is always a top seller. "It's become recognized on an international level as being of this place," says Brian Sullivan at the Black Tusk Gallery, Whistler's original Native art showroom. For even more history the sprawling Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is an art gallery in a museum offering comprehensive exhibits and selling pieces from the two local nations.
For Whistler's best local art look for colour and landscape master Chili Thom (chilithom.com) or hit up Harvey Lim's Art Junction, full of local and BC artwork, and located in Function Junction.
"Art is so intangible," Niedermeyer says. "We all know the value of art when we see a great film or painting, or hear a great piece of music and feel moved, but it's hard to explain when someone asks, 'Does it drive traffic? Does it put heads in beds?'"
The answer, in Whistler at least, is a solid "yes." So break out the pizza and let's paint the town vermillion. There's an anniversary to celebrate.
For more info on Whistler's Art Galleries hit up www.whistler.com/art_galleries/
