Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Fernie Cultural Guide FALL 2018 | Page 14

The Arts Station
Where Art, Culture & History Converge
A vibrant and engaging space for the
creative community in Fernie featuring
all disciplines of the arts for visitors
and locals alike. The Arts Station has a
varied program of entertainment and
activities throughout the year including
live concerts, film screenings, pottery
workshops, community theatre, gallery
shows, and creative classes for all ages.
LIVING HISTORY IN A
HERITAGE BUILDING
From 1898 to 1964, the Canadian
Pacific Railway station was the
economic and social hub of the
community. The current station building
was completed in the spring of 1909
after an earlier incarnation burned down
in the Great Fire of 1908. The CPR
donated the disused building to the City
of Fernie and in 1987 the Fernie Arts
Council began the four-year process
of moving the building onto a new
foundation and completely renovating
the dilapidated structure. The former
waiting room became the foyer gallery
and every other space found new life
as studios, event space, and even a
restaurant. The Arts Station opened in
1990 as an indispensable base for artists
in the Elk Valley.
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A HARDY TOWN – PERMANENT
SCULPTURE
In the grounds of the Arts Station, a
new permanent sculpture has been
installed to commemorate the 1908
Fire. A Hardy Town is a collaborative
effort from Michael Hepher of
Clawhammer Press and metalwork artist
Paul Reimer. Although the devastating
fire of August 1908 razed the town in
just 90 minutes, no lives were lost. The
artwork reflects the impact the fire had
on Fernie’s architecture and the City
ordinance that followed, directing all
future construction to be of fireproof
material. This commemorative sculpture
is a testament to the tenacity of the
people of Fernie who rose up through
the ashes to rebuild and endure, and
a reflection of the town that fell but
was not fallen. The sculpture is on
permanent display and is illuminated
at night.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND
FESTIVALS
The Arts Station is a cultural hub for
Fernie and features a lively program of
entertainment and events throughout
the fall. Tickets can be found on
Eventbrite.ca or contact the Arts
Station for more information.