Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 3 Winter 2016 | Page 24

The Arts Station It is hard to imagine that an old railway station built in 1908 in a small corner of British Columbia would today be the source for foot-stomping concerts, mouth-watering hotcakes and aweinspiring paintings. If you’ve ever visited The Arts Station in Fernie, though, you’ll know it to be true. The Arts Station is the heart of the arts in Fernie, a place where hundreds of painters, weavers, guitarists and guilders gather to expand their talents and inspire one another in a way that almost always involves community. Th e Arts Station is a home amongst artists and art-lovers, a place where anyone can take a moment to think quietly about a painting on the brick mantelpiece or sip on martinis while dancing to folk rock. Originally a Canadian Pacific Railway station, the building suffered from vandalism and overall wear for decades before a refurbishing in 1990 — led by a group of volunteers — brought it to its current valuable state. Today the main lobby acts as a gallery space with new artists featured each month and the original ticket office is home to the inviting Blue Toque Diner. The old luggage room is a 100-seat theatre and the basement is a potters’ delight. Having celebrated 25 years in November 2015, the Station has established its place in the local arts community. The many people behind it play host to the popular outdoor summer concert series and socials, festivals, film screenings, presentations, art classes and workshops, and even the occasional wedding or birthday party. Flowers bloom from barrels on the wraparound deck in the summer and it is a cozy space for an acoustic set when the snow falls. No matter the time of year, there is always something going on at The Arts Station. Be sure to make it a part of your visit to Fernie. 601 1st Ave | 250-423-4842 theartsstation.com 24 24