What type of holiday are you looking for? Are you traveling with family or friends? When would you like to visit? Let us make some recommendations!
The Columbia Basin Culture Tour showcases art and artists in their chosen environment.
Each location will be open 10am-5pm on Saturday & Sunday, August 10 & 11 (plus regular opening hours).
The tour is completed at your leisure and is self-directed, as well as free of charge! This event is a great opportunity to witness fine art of many different styles and to explore studios that are not normally open to the public.
Be sure to pick up some unique pieces of art! A Kootenay-wide initiative, Fernie is featured on the tour at 4 locations:
CBT MAP LOCATION #71
Fernie Forge – Eye of the Needle Studio & Gallery
260 5th Street - opposite Fernie Heritage Library. (Commercial address, not wheelchair accesible)
The Eye of the Needle Studio & Gallery is the downtown gallery & textile arm of the Fernie Forge. In the catacomb-style basement is a series of rooms featuring metalwork, fibre art, glasswork, candles, and jewellery from over 15 artists.
During the Columbia Basin Culture Tour, resident artist Sandra Barrett will be on hand to demonstrate wet felting techniques. Drop in to watch this fascinating style of textile art, browse the store and view the exhibition pieces.
CBT MAP LOCATION #72
Fernie Arts Co-op
572 2nd Avenue (Commercial address, wheelchair accesible)
The Fernie Arts Co-op features the work of over 30 artists including painting, sculpture, jewellery, metalwork, soap, photography, quilting and encaustic/3D mixed media.
During the Columbia Basin Culture Tour, many of the artists will be working out on the street (or in the studio in the case of wet weather) for live demonstrations. Drop by and meet the artists, watch them work and learn about their art.
CBT MAP LOCATION #73
Fernie Visual Arts Guild
851 3rd Avenue (private residence, wheelchair accessible)
The Fernie Visual Arts Guld is a group of diverse artists, working in a range of mediums including encaustics, acrylics, watercolours, pastels, pencils, alcohol inks, oils and pencil crayons. The group meet regularly at the Fernie Arts Station and hold regular sales and exhibits. The next schedule exhibition of work will be in November at the Fernie Museum, see calendar for details.
For the CBT Culture Tour, the group will be demonstrating Watercolour, encaustic and alcohol ink techniques.
CBT MAP LOCATION #74
Kathleen Stead
86 Ridgemont Drive (private residence, wheelchair accessible)
Kathy Stead is a landscape artist who has lived in Fernie for over 40 years. She paints in Fernie and North Carolina, 'en plein air' whenever possible. Kathy will be demonstrating her art and welcoming artists at her home studio.
