Art Scene
Art — or perhaps opposable thumbs — is what separates humans from beasts. I forgot who said that but I know it’s true.
If it weren’t there’d be no way to explain 40,000-year-old paintings on the walls of caves in Spain or the much more modern — merely 17,000-year-old — and much better known Lascaux cave paintings in southwestern France.
Paintings on walls predate written history and there are quite a few people who believe their holiday wouldn’t be complete without taking home a work of art. Makes sense to me. Long after your logoed T-shirt is frayed to threads and you’ve lost your Whistler cap, the painting, sculpture, photograph or objet d’art you found in our local galleries will bring back warm memories.
Whistler’s galleries feature established and emerging West Coast artists working in diverse media, native artisans, glass artists, sculptors and well-known painters from across Canada, around the world and right here, living among us.
All over Whistler Village and from Function Junction to Marketplace and up into the Benchlands, gallery operators, artisans, artists, photographers and craftspeople welcome you into their showrooms, studios and workshops where you can see their work, works in progress and even discuss custom commissions tailored to that just-so nook you’ve been wondering how you’d fill.
Enjoy the search. Take home something you’ll treasure. Art in Whistler is as much a part of life as you are.
Village Art
Whistler’s got art… and finding it’s half the fun. From Marketplace, way up to the Westin, there are galleries well worth the hunt. Keep your eyes peeled and ask.
Function Junction
Not all of Whistler’s artists live and work in Function Junction. Some of them just show their stuff in the galleries and studios down there. If art is your thing, you’ve got to hit the Junction.
Benchlands
Worth the walk? Dumb question. Head over to Blackcomb’s base for fine art, cultural First Nations rarities, stunning sculptures, thought-provoking paintings and the thrill of discovery off the beaten path.
