Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Winter 2019-20 Edition | Page 22

HISTORY & CULTURE HOT & COLD: GLASS ART IN THREE PARTS by KATHERINE RUSSELL fernie Museum IN THE GALLERY DEC 13, 2019 – APRIL 19, 2020 In the early 20th century, most decorative glass production happened in factories. The design and affordability of smaller furnaces permitted artists to work with smaller production runs from their own studio, giving rise to what is known as the studio glass movement. Katherine Russell is one of Canada’s leading glass artists, based in Elkford. She splits her time between making blown glasswork and kiln-formed glasswork, utilizing both methods to explore new concepts, techniques and creative objectives. 130 YEARS OF FERNIE HISTORY The Fernie Museum has welcomed over 100,000 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. Stop by and chat with one of the knowledgeable information desk staff for events, activity, heritage and interpretive information. master spinner Gayle Vallance, paintings & prints by Michael Hepher, Elk River Apiaries Honey and Korite Ammolite Jewellery. MAIN FLOOR EXHIBIT TRITES AND WOOD MUSEUM GIFT SHOP 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, and Fernie & area -inspired items and local artwork including scarves and blankets by 22 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. Information is presented through a series of engaging displays including a timeline, artifact collections, and digital kiosks. Kids love exploring the ‘see and feel’ identification boxes and underground mining tunnel. In this newly curated exhibit, Russell examines the methods and techniques that she employs in her studio. The series includes large blown works for which she is most known, a kiln-fired experimental series titled ‘Memories are Malliable’ and cold-fused work. The exhibit demonstrates an incredible breadth and diversity of work which represents this relatively new genre of decorative art. OPENING RECEPTION: FIRE & ICE Friday, December 13th at the Fernie Museum | Tickets $40. With live music from Steamboat Vacation; Spicy & Frosty Culinary Creations by Chef Barrie from Fernie Catering Co; cash bar featuring a feature cocktail by Fernie Distillers; silent auction. Artist in attendance. COMING THIS WINTER ‘Lunch and Learn’ is an educational series presented by the Fernie Museum featuring a delicious 2-course home- made lunch and an engaging talk hosted at the Fernie Senior’s Centre. This winter join Lindsay Vallance, a local performance & visual artist with an interest in unusual histories, for two engaging talks with a twist: You’d better watch out — the Unexpurgated History of Christmas on Monday, December 16th, taking a look at the darker side of Christmas traditions around the world, and Outbreak! Death, Disease and Contagion in Fernie in the 20th Century, on Monday, February 10th, examining Fernie’s medical history through the decades. Tickets $15, available on Eventbrite.com, from the Fernie Museum and at the door, subject to availability. (Dates subject to change, see local listings). 691 2nd Ave  |  250-423-7016 ferniemuseum.com 23