Banff Whyte Museum
The Banff Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies is located just a block off of Banff Avenue on the Bow River and is a must stop for the inquisitive and artistically inclined. The balance of this page contains information on current and upcoming exhibitions, sales, events, and more courtesy of the Banff Whyte Museum.
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
THE ART OF ROBERT BATEMAN Produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C. UNTIL September 7, 2009 Main Gallery A feast for the eyes, this exhibition showcases the extraordinary breadth, depth, and versatility of artist Robert Bateman. Known by many as a wildlife painter, and recognized by peers world-wide as the most influential of all time, Bateman’s subjects also include architecture, the human figure, modes of transportation, land and waterscapes, still lives and portraiture. Bateman’s stirring creations make their home on board and canvas and also in other media including original prints, jewelry and sculpture. Come enjoy the The Art of Robert Bateman and explore over 50 signature artworks, including oils and acrylics, bronze sculpture, works on paper, plus the artist’s personal sketchbooks, books and videos. Selections from The Art of Robert Bateman, produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D. Curator/Tour Director THE STUFF OF LEGEND: The Luxton Family in Banff and the Bow Valley UNTIL October 31, 2009 Heritage Gallery Through their strength of character and extraordinary will, the Luxton and McDougall families brought Banff and the Bow Valley to the world while simultaneously bringing the world to Banff. This exhibition is a tribute to the spirit, vision, commitment and creative energy of one of the early pioneer families in Banff and the Bow Valley. Norman Luxton, adventurer, entrepreneur, taxidermist and newspaperman, helped put Banff on the map with his boosterism and media savvy. This exhibition showcases the many wonderful artifacts and photographs of the Luxton and McDougall families, as well as several video vignettes produced by The Banff Centre which incorporate the recollections of Stoney elders and others who remember the Luxtons. This exhibition is a collaboration between the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation, in honour of Eleanor Luxton’s 100th birthday.
CURRENT DISPLAYS OR SALES ART SHOW & SALE Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Featuring the Work of Erica Neumann UNTIL June 24, 2009 Whyte Museum Shop and Swiss Guides Room The wildlife, landscape, and floral artwork of Erica Neumann is featured by the Museum Shop of the Whyte Museum, and on display in the Swiss Guides Room. As a long-time resident of the Bow Valley now residing in Okotoks, much of Erica’s work is dedicated to the Rockies and Western Canadian wildlife. Each image carries with it not only a strong tie to nature, but also a specific story about a time and place captured permanently in Erica’s painterly images. All proceeds from the sale of these works will support the artist, and the Whyte Museum’s exhibitions and programming. BERGHEIL – Conrad Kain and the Canadian years: his life, his words UNTIL November 22, 2009 This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary mountain guide Conrad Kain’s arrival to Canada, whose remarkable guiding career spanned nearly 30 years. In that time, he made more than 60 first ascents and discovered new routes in the mountains of Western Canada. Today he is remembered for the first ascents of Mount Robson (1913), Mount Louis (1916), and Bugaboo Spire (1916). The Archives and Library honours Conrad Kain with a small display in the Archives’ lobby and Reference Room. UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS A FOSSIL PARADISE: The Discovery of the Burgess Shale by Charles D. Walcott July 6 – September 7, 2009 One hundred years ago a discovery was made near Field, B.C. that drastically changed our view of the history of life on Earth. A Fossil Paradise: The Discovery of the Burgess Shale by Charles D. Walcott, is an exploration of the Burgess Shale’s early excavations. The exhibition includes vintage panoramic photos, site artifacts, and a profile of the man who made the great discovery as told by his personal field notes and letters. Considered one of the most important finds in paleontology, the Burgess Shale (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Yoho National Park) was humankind’s first view into some of the most ancient animals to inhabit our planet over 500 million years ago. Charles D. Walcott was Fourth Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution when he discovered the Burgess Shale. He visited the site regularly until at age 74 he had collected over 65,000 specimens. This touring exhibition includes objects from the Smithsonian Institution, the Royal Ontario Museum (which holds the world’s largest collection of Burgess Shale specimens), and Parks Canada. UPCOMING EVENTS The Science Behind the Scenery – Parks Canada Research Updates Speaker SeriesThursdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28, 7 PMFree The 14th annual Banff Research Updates Speaker Series highlights some of the science behind the scenery in our mountain national parks. This year’s topics include recent archaeological findings, what tiny organisms are found in tight places, the latest scoop on the fossils of the Burgess Shale, human-caused impacts on local wildlife – furry and wet – and what’s on people’s minds regarding our parks. The Research Updates are a cooperative venture of Parks Canada, the Whyte Museum, and the Friends of Banff National Park / Parks Radio. May 7 · Going Looney Over Loons: Patterns of Mercury Contamination in Loons in Western Alberta – Sarah Lord, University of Alberta · Selenium: The Other Trace Metal (Selenium Dynamics in Rocky Mountain Lakes) – Barb Fortin, University of Alberta · Fairholme Amphibians, Five Years After the Fire – Charlie Pacas, Parks Canada May 14 · From Rock Concerts to Rock Climbing: Visitor Perceptions About Special Events in the Mountain National Parks – Sheila Luey, Parks Canada · Burgess Shale Bit and Bites – Jean Bernard Caron, Royal Ontario Museum May 21 · Besant in the Mountains: 2,000 Years of Cultural History in Banff National Park – Sheila Greaves, Brad Himour, Parks Canada · Views on Vegetation Management: What the Locals Think – Bonnie McFarlane, Canadian Forest Service · March of the Worms: An Exotic Parasite in Banff National Park Elk – Nathan Debruyn, University of Calgary May 28 · Does Size Really Matter? Impacts of Introduced Trout on Streams – Amanda Warman, University of Alberta · Scuds & Squeezes, What Do They Have in Common? Castleguard Cave Explorations – Greg Horne, Parks Canada Poetry Reading Mini Series: East West & Down Under May 11, 13 & 18, 7 PM $4 at the door, free for Museum members Join us for a casual evening of poetry featuring poets from The Banff Centre’s Writing Studio. Presented in partnership with The Banff Centre, Literary Arts. Don Mckay, Governor General's Award Winner, Monday, May 11 Karen Solie, B.C. Book Prize Winner, Wednesday, May 13 Les Murray, Australia's pre-eminent poet, Monday, May 18 Painting on The Wild Side – With Artist, Erica NeumannSaturday, May 16, 9 AM - 4 PM You must pre-register with the Museum’s Front Desk, call 403-762-2291, ext. 300 $95 per person* (Members $85) *fee does not include painting supplies – supply list provided. Join Erica Neumann by the Bow River for a full day of en plein air painting. This acrylic workshop is designed for those familiar with painting, who are hunting for new techniques to incorporate into their work. The morning will be spent studying new techniques with a focus on loose brushwork, and the afternoon painting with instructor guidance. Please pack a picnic for lunch along the Bow River. Visit www.ericaneumann.com to learn about the artist. A minimum of 8 participants are needed for this workshop to go ahead; maximum 12 participants. Artist’s Reception and Painting Demonstration Sunday, May 17, 1 – 3 PM FREE Join us for an Artist’s Reception and Painting Demonstration by Erica Neumann, whose wildlife, landscape and floral works are currently featured in the Museum Shop and Swiss Guides Room. Take this opportunity to meet with this talented artist and to watch her paint in her very personal style as she works outdoors on the Museum grounds. (Will relocate inside, in case of inclement weather.) Swansong, by Jon Whyte – A Poetic DramaSunday, May 24, 3 PM Included with Museum admission / free for Museum members Join local performers for a special live reading of Jon Whyte's unique radio poetic drama, Swansong. Both play and narrative poem, this sensitive historical piece illuminates a vital turning point in the life of Jon's childhood neighbour, cellist Alma Mills. The work reflects on her life's journey from genteel Boston to 1950s Banff, and on her passionate but painful life with Banff's “champion musher” Ike Mills. With Jon Bjorgum, Shirley Truscott, Elizabeth Sorochan (Cello). Directed by Shirley Tooke. 40 min.
For more information on the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and upcoming events, click here to visit the Museum's main page.
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