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Exploring the Fernie Art Walk

Updated: March 29, 2023

Explore Fernie’s galleries and working studios on a self-guided tour. Meet the artists and discover the subjects and styles that inspire our artists and artisans.

Stroll through Historic Downtown Fernie past charming rose-gold and red brick architecture, enjoy spectacular views in every direction and take in some unique art installations

Fernie Art Walk

Pick up a paper copy at the Fernie Visitor Information Centre, Arts Station or Fernie Museum. 


Track you way around the Fernie Art Walk


1 | ALL KINDS OF BEAUTY

Corner of  2nd Avenue & 7th St

The design for 'All Kinds of Beauty' by Michael Hepher was selected from six applicants, and the final piece was completed in October 2019 with funding from the Columbia Basin Trust. The mural depicts the hopes, dreams and lifestyle of Fernie. 

 

2 | THE ART STATION & 'A HARDY TOWN' SCULPTURE

601 1st Avenue | 250-423-4842 | theartsstation.com | 12pm-9pm Thu/Mon/Tue and 9.30am-9pm Wed/Fri/Sun

The hub of Fernie’s cultural scene featuring an art gallery, 100-seat theatre, studios and workshop spaces. Home of 'A Hardy Town,' a permanent sculpture by Paul Reimer and Michael Hepher commemorating the Great Fire of 1908.

 

3 | FERNIE ARTS CO-OP

572 2nd Avenue | 250-423-7044 | fernieartscoop.com | Open Daily 10 am - 6pm.

Art from over 60 local artists including handmade jewellery, photography, original paintings, textiles, pottery, and sculpture portraying the region and lifestyle of the Elk Valley. 

 

4 | STUDIO 562

562 2nd Avenue | leannestothert.com | Thu-Sat, 12pm - 4pm and other hours.

Leanne’s studio and gallery space features canvas paintings of landscapes, animals and scenes of children playing.

 

6 | FERNIE MUSEUM

491 2nd Avenue | 250-423-7016 | ferniemuseum.com | Thu - Sun 11 am - 4 pm

Permanent ‘This is our Fernie’ exhibition & gift shop on the ground floor. Upstairs exhibit gallery currently closed. 

 

6 | EYE OF THE NEEDLE & 'BLUE FERN' SCULPTURE

260 5th Street | 250-423-2671 | fernieforge.ca | Thur-Fri 10am-5pm Sat 11:30am-5:30pm

Artisan gallery & studio in a heritage building featuring metal work from Fernie Forge and others, plus fibre art, candles, glasswork and one-on-one felting classes. Don’t miss the multi-media ‘Blue Fern’ sculpture outside, tucked beside the gallery.

 

7 | THE MINER’S WALK

501 3rd Avenue at Fernie City Hall

A charming and unique tribute to Fernie’s heritage on City Hall grounds. Small-scale iron sculptures by Fernie Forge & The Face of the Miner by Jeff De Boer. Interpretive panels and gardens. 

 

8 | H2 STUDIO & GALLERY 

598 2nd Avenue | tarahiggins.com

Featuring paintings by Tara Higgins and pottery by Kerri Holmes, plus works of more Canadian artists

 


OTHER ART

THREE SISTERS MURAL | AIDAN LINDSAY

461 1st Avenue in the alleyway behind SOAR Studios

In the alleyway behind Castle on 1st Avenue, a bright and colourful mural depicting a famous local scene - do you recognize it?

 

'GROW WITH THE FLOW' MURAL | TARA HIGGINS & BECCA DAVIES

Fernie artists, Becca Davies & Tara Higgins completed the 'Grow with the Flow' street mural in August 2022 adding to Fernie's growing collection of street art. Find it close to the Fernie Arts Station buiding behind Freyja Boutique, and the Island Lake Lodge office.

 

'WOLF' MURAL | LIAM MONAGHAN

501 1st Avenue | The Royal Hotel

Outside on the back deck of the Royal Hotel is a large-scale graffiti wall mural by Liam Monahan and a vintage truck, hand painted in surrealist style by Milarkey.

 

MICHAEL PENNY | CHAINSAW CARVINGS

1439 MacDonald Ave/Hwy 3 | 250-423-0552 | Open regularly or by appointment

Michael A. Penny’s working studio gallery producing finely detailed wood sculptures. Open regularly or by appointment.

 

SARAH PIKE POTTERY

1480 McDonald Avenue | 250-430-7937

Unique, slab-built pots with personality, beauty and a little attitude. Products are sold from a small display area in Sarah’s home studio in West Fernie, and internationally. Open by appointment only

 

KATHY STEAD – VISUAL ARTIST

86 Ridgemont Drive | 250-423-4979

Fine art painter and mixed media artist working in a variety of semi-abstract and realism styles.

 

'WINGS' MURAL | AIDAN LINDSAY

461 1st Avenue | Behind SOAR Studios

Take a selfie with your own angel wings!

 

OUT OF THE BOX DUMPSTER ART PROJECT & FERNIE BANNER PROJECT

The Arts Station's annual 'Out of the Box: Dumpster Art Project'  has seen many Fernie's dumpsters transformed into works of art. 

You'll find them scattered all around the city, but the back alleys behind 2nd & 3rd Avenue are great spot to start the hunt.

As you wander, look up to see other local art hanging from downtown lampposts. Each year, a new batch of artwork arrives downtown, and the current banners are moved to the highway for a second year. 

EXPLORE MORE WITH A FREE MOBILE APP

Find 6 themed self-guided tours in our free & handy mobile app - The Iconic Fernie. Choose to collect points as you explore to then redeem for cool local rewards. Learn more or download here.

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