Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 8 - Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 8

FERNIE MUSEUM 130 YEARS OF FERNIE HISTORY The Fernie Museum has welcomed over 86,000 visitors since it opened to the public in 2013. The main floor exhibit This Is Our Fernie explores the legends and mythology, fires and mining disasters, and stories of the commercial, sporting, and community life over the past 100+ years. The exhibit features several new digital kiosks installed in 2017. Stop by and chat with one of the knowledgeable information desk staff for events, activity, heritage and interpretive information. TRITES-WOOD MERCANTILE The museum gift shop features a curated collection of items inspired directly by the museum’s collection, and life in Fernie. Products include a range of books featuring local and Canadian history, Fernie inspired items including Murchie’s Fernie blend tea and Elk River Apiaries Honey, and Korite jewellery, featuring unique ammolite gemstones exclusively found in Southern Alberta. Feature artwork includes handmade wooden cutting boards from James Oiumet in April & May, and fine art from printer & painter Michael Hepher in June, July & August. 8 BACKROADS BC IN THE GALLERY JUNE 15 – SEPTEMBER 16, 2018 Explore the backroads and wild places of British Columbia with artist Michael Hepher in his visual record of a summer family roadtrip. As wildfires impacted much of BC in the summer of 2017, Hepher and his wife and two children spent 7 weeks in their 1971 yellow Volkswagen van, Truman, camping, exploring, and touring from Fernie to Vancouver Island and north to Terrace. For much of their trip, Hepher’s mother joined the family in her own camper, Hyacinth. Together they played music, hiked, enjoyed laketime and relaxed into the simpler way of life where little matters except the rhythm of the road. The exhibit of 30 original oil paintings along with mementos, photographs, diaries, and family recollections will open on June 15 with an free evening reception. Throughout the duration of the exhibition, special events allow visitors a chance to meet the artist and understand the process from inspiration, to journey, to creative expression, to finished exhibit. The