Tag Archives: Whistler Arts Council

It Started With an Ark

Posted on October 9, 2016 | 1 comment

As Whistler enters the (somewhat) slower season of autumn, Arts Whistler is presenting Fall for Arts, a collection of exhibitions, classes, performances and more highlighting the diverse arts and artists this town has to offer. In this spirit, we offer a brief look back at one of the older (or younger, depending on how you look at it) performing groups in Whistler: the Whistler Children’s Chorus.

The Whistler Children’s Chorus performing Hakuna Matata, 1995. Photo: Whistler Children’s Chorus.

The Chorus began in 1991 when Molly Boyd, already the director of the Whistler Singers, was asked to put together a group of children to perform with a Vancouver orchestra putting on Noye’s Fludde (an opera based on Noah’s Ark) in Whistler. Under the direction of Boyd this group would become known as the Whistler Children’s Chorus in 1992, accepting members 6 and up with the mandate to “provide opportunities for all children in our community to sing and enjoy making music”.

The first performances of the newly formed Chorus included carolling through the Village with the Whistler Singers and joining the Singers at the Christmas Eve Carol Service (a Christmas tradition now entering its 34th year). The community of Whistler and its variety of events (ie. ski races) soon offered the Chorus many opportunities to perform. The Chorus participated in the community’s Canada Day Parade and Remembrance Day Ceremony and annually held holiday concerts in support of the Whistler Food Bank.

The Whistler Children’s Chorus in the Canada Day Parade, 1997. Photo: Whistler Children’s Chorus.

Most notably, in 2002 the Chorus was chosen to represent British Columbia in the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill as part of Unisong, a 500-voice choir made up of choirs from across the country. During this visit to Ottawa the Chorus performed in the National Arts Centre, Christ Church Cathedral and at then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson’s garden party. This trip also taught the valuable lesson that red shirts, white pants and fire hoses do not mix, as adult chaperones sat up late trying to scrub the pink out of once white materials.

Unisong mass choir performing in the National Arts Centre, July 2001. Photo: Whistler Children’s Chorus

During the lead up to the 2010 Olympics the Chorus built on their early experiences at parades and races to become veritable pros at performing “O Canada”, as well as the catchy official song of the Torch Relay (complete with choreography). Beginning well before the Olympics at “A Celebration of Canada” for the IOC in 2003, the Chorus performed for the Bid Announcement on July 2, 2003, the “100 Day Countdown Celebration” in November, 2009, the arrival of the Olympic Torch in February 2010, with Norman Foote during the Olympics, and at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games.

Whistler, BC, February 5th 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in Whistler. The Whistler Children's Choir and the Whistler Singers will sing, "There's a Light/ Cette Flamme," Photo: Ian Robertson / coastphoto.com

Whistler, BC, February 5th 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in Whistler. The Whistler Children’s Choir and the Whistler Singers sing, “There’s a Light/ Cette Flamme,” Photo: Ian Robertson / coastphoto.com

Now in its 24th season, the Whistler Children’s Chorus continues to provide opportunities for children to sing and make music. They can next be seen performing a spooky selection of songs October 30th at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. For more information check out their website or find the choir on Facebook.

If you fancy singing yourself, consider joining the Whistler Singers (Wednesdays at Maury Young Arts Centre) or Barbed Choir (Sundays at the Point). All are welcome.

By Allyn Pringle

1 Comment

Posted in Arts & Artists, Whistler: A Town

Tagged 2010 Olympics, Arts Whistler, Barbed Choir, choir, Molly Boyd, SEVEC, Unisong, Whistler Arts Council, Whistler Children's Chorus, Whistler history, Whistler Museum, Whistler Singers

Painting the Past – Artists History

Posted on August 6, 2016 | Leave a comment

Whistler is home to a variety of artists working in many different mediums. Many of the artists throughout Whistler come from all over the world but all of them now call this beautiful area home. The variety of artists include photographers, fine artists, sculptors, digital artists, artisans, illustrators, and more, and are spread out all over the valley. There are hundreds of artists with different styles and who work in different mediums so you can find almost any type of art being produced in Whistler.

The most commonly celebrated theme, however, is easily the scenic views and beautiful nature that can be found all around the Whistler area. Whether artists literally depict scenes from the landscape or merely take influence from them, the natural wonder of Whistler has not escaped the artists who call this place home. As well, many of these artists have been featured in places outside of Canada not just outside of Whistler.

Isobel sitting in her hand-painted coffin.

The first well-known artist in Whistler is Isobel MacLaurin. Her and her late husband Don have called Whistler their full-time home for more than 30 years (and a part-time retreat for decades before that) and they saw the town grow into what it is today, all while Isobel helped the art scene in Whistler get on its feet. In the days before the creation of the Whistler Arts Council (now known as Arts Whistler) Isobel was the only professional artist in town. That meant she was asked to do a lot of work for the mountains, which included signs that are still on the mountains to this day and all of which were painted by hand in Isobel’s studio.

Isobel painting on her deck.

Among her more memorable jobs was being flown up into the alpine in a helicopter to sketch the landscape for many of her interpretive signs. Isobel often was not paid for her work, instead preferring an exchange for season’s passes to the mountain for her family. One drastic difference that Isobel herself notes is the budget for signage in the early days compared to now; in the early days of the village Isobel did up a handful of signs for the community and got paid $18 per sign, but nowadays Whistler has a multi-million dollar budget for signage every year!

Each sign was painted by Isobel. She received $18 per sign.

Once the Arts Council was set up, other artists began to come to the area as well. The same year it started the Council also set up their first Children’s Art Festival in which Isobel helped lead free arts courses for the children. Isobel talks fondly about how attentive the children were and how well they all did learning to draw. Isobel MacLaurin has been in Whistler for many years, originally she was one of the only artists and now that number has grown into the hundreds. Whistler’s beauty lends itself easily to the inspiration for many a young artist who finds their way here.

By Michaela Sawyer

Whistler Debates presents: Preservation vs POW! The Backcountry Access Debate

Posted on October 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Think the Spearhead Huts are the greatest idea since fat skis? Does the ongoing rush to the backcountry risks spoiling the solitude (and fresh pow) that draws us out there in the first place? How do we best maintain a relationship with wilderness in our increasingly urban, on-line world? If you have ever pondered such matters, this night is for you.

The Whistler Museum, WhistlerIsAwesome.com and the Whistler Arts Council are excited to announce the second installment in the Whistler Debates events series: PRESERVATION vs POW: The Backcountry Access Debate.

The debate will take place at Millennium Place, where the ongoing Out of Bounds: Tales from the Backcountry photography competition will provide an inspiring visual backdrop for this thought-provoking evening. As the snow line creeps down to the valley and stoke builds for the fast-approaching winter, come watch prominent members of the self-propelled community debate the merits of improved access to that rugged and remote paradise, the backcountry.

When: Monday October 29th, 7:30pm
Where: Millennium Place
Who: Everyone!
Cost: $10 advance tickets, $12 same day
Tickets can be purchased at Millennium Place, or by calling 604-935-8410

Event sponsored by The Escape Route

Featured debaters:

“Garage Sale” Frank Salter – This local character is best known for his personal collection of historic ski gear, one of the largest in the world, which was featured in the latest issue of Powder magazine. But did you know that this “backcountry posterboy” has also been featured in numerous published magazine articles, photographs, and yes, even on a beer coaster? Frank is full of surprises, and always entertains.

Alex Wigley – An endurance athlete, member of the Canadian National Ski Mountaineering Team (2009-2012) avalanche course instructor, and ACMG Assistant Ski Guide. Alex currently concentrates his time on training, skiing, shooting mountain photography, and updating his ski-mountaineering blog “Ski Theory.”

Michel Beaudry – He’s an alpine poet, a backcountry bard. He’s a critic, a philosopher… an enthusiastic promoter of all things self-propelled. He’s also been writing award-winning stories on mountain life for the last thirty years. Beaudry’s column, Alta States, appears every week in Pique Newsmagazine.

Wayne Flann – Wayne is a veteran Blackcomb ski patroller, avalanche forecaster, search & rescue volunteer, safety consultant for the film industry, and member of the Canadian Ski Guides Association. This guy knows his stuff. For the last year he has been helping keep the backcountry community in the know through the aptly titled Wayne Flann Avalanche Blog.

About Whistler Debates:

Whistlerites self-identify as informed, opinionated, and outspoken. We’re going to put this assumption to the test. Inspired by the Doha Debates, our aim is to provide a forum for respectful, informed dialogue on wide-ranging topics of local or general interest. Debates will take place year-round and coincide with ongoing festivals and events. All debates will feature a strong audience participation component, so come armed with an opinion, an open mind, and a desire to engage with some of the most pressing topics of our times.

LEGO in the Village!

Posted on July 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

This past weekend we had a great time building LEGO in Olympic Plaza! We had tons of visitors who sought the shade of our tents and built some amazing creations.

This builder was inspired by pictures we put up of some creations at LEGO Land, and built a very impressive bee! Photo by Robyn Goldsmith.

We have to give congratulations to the builder above, who actually stuck to the theme and built this impressive bee. Most of us (including the staff) didn’t really adhere to the ‘Natural History’ theme, but there were a few impressive ‘Natural History’ creations amongst all of the other amazing and creative things that people built. Our LEGO expert, Keith Reed, built a bear and a lady bug!

A lady bug built by our LEGO expert, Keith Reed. Photo by Robyn Goldsmith.

Whistler and Blackcomb from Alta Lake. Photo by Robyn Goldsmith.

There were many creative uses of LEGO, including 2D pictures, 3D structures, and a LOT of spaceships, pirate ships, cars, and airplanes. We had kids, teenagers, moms, dads, grandparents; we had people from France, India, the UK, and all over the world. Amongst a variety of people, one thing was clear: everyone loves LEGO! One of my favourite moments was when a I over heard a young boy say “Dad, I’m hot, can we go?” His father replied, “Hold on, just let me finish building this.”

Thanks to our LEGO experts, Keith and Jessica, our volunteer Kelly (and also Josh and Lucas), and the Whistler Arts Council, for helping to make our village LEGO event such a success!