Arts and culture

The Fernie Arts Station on March 29, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

Fernie Arts Station renovations to add gender-neutral washrooms, upgraded pottery studio

Building will be closed to the public on Friday, the project is expected to take around two months

The Fernie Arts Station on March 29, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)
Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

QUIZ: How much do you know about poems and poetry?

April is National Poetry Month in Canada

Renowned Canadian writer, Margaret Atwood speaks after Canada Post unveiling of a special stamp in her honour in Toronto on Nov. 25, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Tathlina Lovlin with a selection of some of the mugs and plates she creates at her Elkford pottery. Pictured at the Sparwood Crafts and Small Business Fair, 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Local producer Tathlina Lovlin: What’s in a mug?

Local potter Tathlina Lovlin says folks are very particular about mugs

Tathlina Lovlin with a selection of some of the mugs and plates she creates at her Elkford pottery. Pictured at the Sparwood Crafts and Small Business Fair, 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

Tattoo artist anger over new European rules goes beyond skin deep

Commission says alternatives to the banned products do exist

FILE - A man, wearing a protective face mask to prevent the spread of coronavirus, is tattooed at Paul and Friends tattoo parlour in downtown Brussels, March 26, 2021. The European Union is imposing restrictions on the inks that tattoo artists can use as of Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The EU says it is a necessary move to protect the health of consumers because thousands of chemical elements now in use can cause anything from allergic reactions to cancer. The tattoo industry complains it is unfairly targeted and is losing an essence part of its art. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
The Fernie Arts Co-Op’s ‘we pay the tax day’ sale will be on Dec. 11 in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
The Fernie Arts Co-Op’s ‘we pay the tax day’ sale will be on Dec. 11 in 2021. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

BC Ferries unveils Indigenous design for next Salish Class vessel

Including Island artist Maynard Johnny Jr.’s artwork seen as meaningful act towards reconciliation

Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr. beside the unveiled design of the Salish Heron vessel. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The Creative Co-Op is open in Sparwood's Greenwood Mall on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 18 up to Dec. 24. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Creative Co-Op opens up in Sparwood

The indoor space for market vendors will be open for the lead-up to Christmas

The Creative Co-Op is open in Sparwood's Greenwood Mall on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 18 up to Dec. 24. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
(Contributed by Michelle Malan)

Lilac Terrace residents pose for firefighter calendar

Funds raised will go towards the supported living facility

(Contributed by Michelle Malan)
Station Square will host five local bands over five weeks for Wednesday Night Socials this year. (Jasper Myers / The Free Press)

The Arts Station is bringing back the music with return of Wednesday Night Socials

As restrictions ease up the annual weekly musical event returns after going silent last year

Station Square will host five local bands over five weeks for Wednesday Night Socials this year. (Jasper Myers / The Free Press)
Local graphic designer Vanessa Croome with her dumpster for 2021, depicting trees of the valley in a colourful, abstract style. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)

Dumpster art brightens Fernie

Local artists spent last week painting dumpsters to go around Fernie

Local graphic designer Vanessa Croome with her dumpster for 2021, depicting trees of the valley in a colourful, abstract style. (Scott Tibballs / The Free Press)
Kate Moran has crocheted all of the ingredients in guacamole, here she poses with her favourite piece - the lime. It will be on display at the Fernie Arts Station as part of the ‘Guacamole Series’ between July and August 2021. (Jasper Myers / The Free Press)

New crochet art exhibit brings (extra) zest to Fernie Arts Station

Kate Moran is the creator of the Guacamole Series on display for the next month.

Kate Moran has crocheted all of the ingredients in guacamole, here she poses with her favourite piece - the lime. It will be on display at the Fernie Arts Station as part of the ‘Guacamole Series’ between July and August 2021. (Jasper Myers / The Free Press)
The Wapiti music festival on a typical year. (Kimberley Vlasic / The Free Press)

Fernie’s Wapiti 2021 struck off the lineup, due for a comeback in 2022

The music festival in Fernie has been cancelled for the second year in a row, but is looking good for 2022

The Wapiti music festival on a typical year. (Kimberley Vlasic / The Free Press)
A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)

Online resource blends B.C.-Alberta’s Indigenous languages, art and culture

Advisor says initiative supports the urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages

A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography

Ellen Lyons, A Pioneer In The Art Of Collecting Photographs

The William Lyons Gallery of Photography opened in 1979

  • Dec 18, 2020
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography
(Photo contributed by Conseil Jeunesse Francophone de Colombie Britannique.)

Un vent de nouveauté souffle sur la jeunesse de Fernie!

Contribué par Marie-Athéna Gaudé-Escoffier et Maureen Ogeard Pour la première fois, le…

  • Dec 10, 2020
(Photo contributed by Conseil Jeunesse Francophone de Colombie Britannique.)
AFRoS has been running the classes since September, and they will go through to June 2021. (Photo contributed by AFRoS)

AFRoS language programs power through winter

AFRoS is running three programs for francophones and francophiles

AFRoS has been running the classes since September, and they will go through to June 2021. (Photo contributed by AFRoS)
Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)

Q&A with VIFF’s B.C. Emerging Filmmaker Award winner, Jessie Anthony

Her feature film, Brother, I Cry premiered at VIFF this year

Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)
Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo

Province announces $2M in arts and culture funding under BC Arts Council

The program will go toward renovating arts and cultural spaces in BC and to buy special equipment

Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo
The tour spans the entire Columbia Basin region. Source: pixabay

A total of 64 venues are featured on the 2020 Basin Culture Tour

The tour spans the entire Columbia Basin region

The tour spans the entire Columbia Basin region. Source: pixabay
Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage

Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage

Victoria songstress is fueled by the music

  • Dec 18, 2019
Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage