There was a hint of nostalgia in the air as the Arts Station gallery filled with guests to honour the art group’s sixty-year anniversary. A new art exhibit was on display including paintings by the founding members on June 27.
It all began when Martha Anderson started the art group ‘Fernie Fine Arts’ in 1953, which evolved into the Visual Art’s Guild. The art group has been a constant Fernie fixture meeting every Monday night for the past 60 years.
Arts Council member Mary Menduk made a presentation honouring Louise Stropky, Joe Gigliotti and Beulah Limber who have kept the group alive for the 38 years before the Arts Station inception. Stropky is the only living founding member. She travelled from Cranbrook for the celebration. She was an art teacher at the Fernie High School until 1957. Stropky remarked, “There was never abstract art when we started; not here anyway. Maybe in other parts of the world. It wasn’t even considered here in my day. Pointing to the display of paintings, Stropky added, “This is the newer art. We are so fortunate to have the Arts Station.” Stropky has one painting on display, which she created when she was 14 years old.
Menduk concluded, “In 2013, we of the Visual Arts Guild and Arts Council, in good old Fernie tradition, have dreamers dreaming new dreams wishing to build and expand what has been started. Thank you for your contribution.”