Whistler, B.C. – With the recent – and much-anticipated – opening of the Audain Art Museum, Whistler’s off-mountain offering has expanded to new heights, presenting a utopia for art enthusiasts.
The 56,000 square foot, year-round museum is nestled among the trees in the heart of Whistler and houses an impressive collection of British Columbian artwork from the personal collection of philanthropist, Michael Audain and his wife, Yoshiko Karasawa.
Guests are invited to explore close to 200 pieces on display – spanning over 200 years of British Columbia art. The museum features both permanent collections of Emily Carr, E.J Hughes and many other prominent British Columbian artists, as well as temporary exhibits. The museum’s temporary exhibition space opened with the exceptional workings of Mexican Modernists: Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros and Tamayo, the only collection of this type in Canada, and a must see for art devotees and admiring tourists looking to diversify their Whistler vacation.
This summer, The Audain Art Museum welcomes The Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery exhibition, arriving June 18 for three months. The exhibition consists of 75 paintings crafted by world-renowned artists including Constable, Delacroix, Freud, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Sargent, Sickert, Sisley, Sutherland, Turner, and Dali, and by seminal artists in the history of Canadian art, such as Carr, Harris, Krieghoff, and Morrice.
On March 1, Whistler welcomed Susan Point’s ‘A Timeless Circle’ to the resort’s Public Art Program. The bronze sculpture was awarded through a public competition by the community’s Public Art Committee, celebrating Whistler’s involvement in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The piece resides beside the Maury Young Arts Centre. Find more information here.
The Squamish Lil’ Wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is proud to present the travelling exhibit from the Legacy of Hope Foundation titled “Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools” until October 15, 2016. The powerful exhibit explores the assimilation of Aboriginal children in Canada between 1831 and 1969. The SLCC is a must-see cultural experience where the mountains, rivers and people meet. Read more here.
In celebration of Whistler’s ever-expanding cultural experience the Resort Municipality of Whistler has launched the Cultural Connector route, currently in its first stages. The Cultural Connector provides a scenic pathway linking six of Whistler’s most significant cultural institutions. The route links the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Whistler Public Library, Maury Young Arts Centre, Lost Lake PassivHaus, Whistler Museum and the Audain Art Museum. From the First Nations communities that first explored the land, to the modern pioneers who helped to build Whistler, and the art that pays homage to the history of Whistler and British Columbia, the Cultural Connector guides visitors on a new Whistler journey.
In addition to all of this, Whistler boasts a multitude of cultural offerings from engaging art exhibitions, lively music, dance performances and First Nations culture to international film and culinary events. Now more than ever, guests can take advantage of the plethora of cultural institutions and offerings in Whistler, including a non-stop events calendar. The Culture Trip recently named Whistler as their Canada Local Favourites for 2016.
To find inspiration for an art immersion in Whistler, watch this great video by the Whistler Insider.
Book your Whistler vacation with confidence at www.whistler.com featuring a best price guarantee. Whistler.com, the official central reservations for the resort, offers one-stop shopping with the largest selection and no booking fee for accommodation, lift tickets or activities. Travel consultants at Whistler.com are based in Whistler, with the call centre located in the heart of Whistler Village. Call 1.800.944.7853 to request a no-obligation quote or visit whistler.com for more details and offers.
