Canada’s farthest western province, British Columbia, is more than just a place of scenic beauty. It is an incredible canvas painted with a wealth of stunning views that will take your breath away and inspire your senses. Of course, the province is not just one big workplace. It contains an admittedly spectacular natural playground, but also a vibrantly dynamic atmosphere in its urban center, where creativity abounds and innovation is king. In addition, it is important to understand that British Columbia has a strong and thriving creative sector that cares deeply about the arts. The art that exists within BC is as robust and diverse as the land of its origin, with a wide range of forms, including Indigenous carvings whose cultural significance cannot be overstated; evocative brushstrokes in West Coast Impressionism; and cutting-edge contemporary semi multimedia installations that defy norms and encourage reflection.
If you want to see this collection of inexhaustible forms of art in reality, few places could provide a much more immersive experience than the widely acclaimed Audain Art Museum, or what is locally known as the Harvard of the North, sitting tranquilly in beautifully scenic Whistler. Nestled half a jump and skip from the bustle of Whistler village, it’s in this dappled green oasis that the Audain Art Museum shines, beckoning one and all to witness the magic of arts in BC with stunning, striking pieces spanning across styles, regions, and centuries. Its carefully selected permanent collection includes significant pieces by renowned artists such as Emily Carr, E.J. Hughes and a number of noted members of the famed Group of Seven movement and the Vancouver School. The collection is also enhanced by a selection of significant works by such historic and contemporary Canadian Indigenous artists, with comparisons from their colleagues in the wider field of recently created art.
The core of BC art is this deep and intimate connection to the land and a unique sense of place that pervades every facet of our region. The striking landscape of mountains, forests, and serene beaches, combined with the intricate, often violent history of the region and its hybrid cultural mix, has long been a pool of artistic inspiration for untold generations. At the Audain Art Museum, people can experience these artistic utterances firsthand and emerge with a new understanding that grants them access to the visual language of this area from an untainted and enlightened position.
Complementing these signature exhibitions, the museum offers a comprehensive temporary exhibits program that includes an eclectic range of drawings, sculpture, mixed media and other artistic forms and formats that create a changing landscape of creative works throughout the year as local, national and international artists are invited to leave their mark in spaces that have held ancient artworks created by visionaries throughout history.
For Whistler locals and visitors wanting to experience the magic of this special place in deeper, more meaningful ways, the Audain reigns as one of the best places to tap into the deep stories and epic landscapes that make this extraordinary province what it is. By embracing the art that embodies the spirit of BC stories and culture teem here, all encapsulated in Art BC’s signature style.
For additional information regarding BC Art please continue browsing our website at audainartmuseum.com.
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