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PARC hopes to get to The Point

Local artists propose artist-run centre at site of former HI Hostel
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Whistler may be a young town, but it has been home to artistic souls since its inception. Stephen Vogler and Vincent "Binty" Massey are two of the town's long-time residents who also make their livings as full-time artists. Recently, they've begun to devote their time to a new, grassroots arts initiative: the Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC).

This small group of artists, which includes Andrea Mueller, Christina Nick and Stan Matwychuk on their board of directors, is interested in seeing the former site of the Hostelling International Hostel, which was recently taken over by the Resort Municipality of Whistler, transformed into an artist-run centre, which would act as a cultural and artistic hub for the community.

"Whistler doesn't have a lot of grassroots space," Massey pointed out.

That's a common refrain from local artists: Whistler's real estate market makes it almost impossible to find affordable studio space.

PARC doesn't envision the centre as a new village core, but rather as an off-the-beaten-path attraction, akin to Vancouver's Granville Island.

"I think of it as being a behind-the-scenes thing, like a little gem that people hear about and they want to check it out," Vogler explained.

Under PARC's in-progress plan, there would be three central components to the site: a main arts centre to feature exhibits and small-scale performances; day studios that could be rented by visiting or local artists; and an educational centre where artists could take classes and study under visiting and local instructors. And they want the centre to be influenced and inspired by locals, in hopes of creating an authentic, thriving arts life and scene.

"We were sort of comparing Hornby and Saltspring and that kind of thing, where there's this community of artists," Massey said. "But if it comes from within, that's what draws people to it, because if it's us that are doing it, versus say, Cap College did an art program up here or something, it just doesn't have the feel of being a local thing."

Vogler actually lives just steps from the hostel site, perched above the rail line that separates the main lodge and waterfront area from the caretakers cabin that was Dick Fairhurst's original home. Even on a drizzly, grey day, it's easy to see how this lakeside site could be an inspiring retreat for any artist: it's almost completely silent, and the expanse of the lake stretches from one end of Vogler's dining room window to the next. It's easy to picture an author settling in for a month to work on a novel, or a painter working on the front patio of the lodge on a sunny day.

"I've been living here for a long time and about 10 or 12 years ago, when the hostel was thinking about moving to a new location then, I drew up a small proposal," Vogler explained.

But the hostel didn't end up moving until this summer, when the new site at Cheakamus Crossing opened up. Now, the facility sits unused, awaiting its next incarnation.

The RMOW snapped up the valuable asset a couple of years ago for a cost of $2.7 million (a price that was based on an independent appraisal).

"At that time the opportunity arose to purchase a landmark property that could contribute to Whistler attaining its long-term goals identified in Whistler 2020," Jan Jansen, general manager of resort experience for the RMOW, said in an e-mail.

The timing for PARC's proposal, it seems, couldn't be better.

"Right now, it seems particularly timely because we've just completed a chapter of Whistler's history, from the early '60s dream to build a ski resort and host the Olympics - well, we did that now and very successfully - and there is that kind of feeling in town as to, 'What's next?'" Vogler said.

"...A town sort of evolves and grows and when it gets to a point, it gets to a point where it's time for artists to take a bit of autonomy and do something. Whistler's very young and that hasn't happened yet, and I think that's ready to happen."

There's also been a lot of discussion within the community with regard to cultural tourism and diversifying Whistler's tourism strategy. In fact, a portion of Whistler's Cultural Capital funding went towards hiring Stephen Thorne, a cultural tourism consultant, to create Whistler's Cultural Development Plan. The overview of that plan has recently been presented to Whistler Council and the Chamber of Commerce board.

Vogler was actually on the working group for Thorne's cultural tourism study and sat on Whistler 2020's Arts, Culture and Heritage task force.

"Developing culture, it's of course about enriching our culture, but it's not about only that; it's about diversifying our economy," Vogler acknowledged.

He points out that PARC wouldn't be asking for money from the RMOW, just space to create a much-needed home base for resident artists. If the arts centre was given the go-ahead, PARC would look for funding outside of the community to continue to grow the centre, rather than rely on taxpayers.

Over and above the economic opportunities that are tied to the project, Vogler and Massey both believe that The Point would represent an investment in human capital and the quality of residents' lives.

"It's true people say, 'Well, you've got to have the money and then you can decide what to do,' but I don't think that's the way it works," Vogler said. "Those guys at GODA (Garibaldi Olympic Development Association), they didn't go, 'Okay, we have $50,000, what can we do with it? They dreamed big!'"

Vogler points to Banff as a community that has successfully cultivated its cultural identity.

"That's why Banff is known not just as a national park with a tourist shopping street; it's because the Banff Centre, every artist in Canada has some connection to it."

The PARC board has sent an introductory proposal to municipal staff and is keen to move forward with the process. They hope to run a few trial events on the site to see if the centre would be viable.

"Next step is updating the Park Vision document (1996) to ascertain how open space and outdoor recreational needs are being currently met and in future, based on the updated OCP," Jansen said. "This initiative would include review of arts and culture needs and desires and, working in conjunction with WAC, assess opportunities to accommodate. This exercise would include the assessment of existing infrastructure and levels of utilization."

While that long-term planning process is getting underway, Jansen said there will be an interim use plan put in place to accommodate short-term community needs.

"The RMOW anticipates undertaking some minor building improvements in 2011 and developing a facility use schedule with associated fees to maximize utilization over the short term while long term plans are being considered," he added.

The RMOW is also in the process of developing a communication plan to convey the status, initiatives and opportunities at the former hostel site with the community.

Anyone interested in learning more about PARC should check out their Facebook group and come out to their next group meeting.