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Who’s got backcountry bragging rights?

Well, the results of the Big Ol' Backcountry Brag Off are in, and it looks like the slednecks and powderhounds were busy, channeling their inner shutterbugs to vie for top prize in the Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association's (BLBCA) phot

Well, the results of the Big Ol' Backcountry Brag Off are in, and it looks like the slednecks and powderhounds were busy, channeling their inner shutterbugs to vie for top prize in the Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association's (BLBCA) photography competition.

"With hundreds of entries submitted, it was tough for the judges to decide on top picks," BLBCA's executive director Brad Harrison said in a press release. "The entries really fired up our whole team on why, as backcountry enthusiasts, we're so passionate about the incredible playground in B.C."

Only one competitor could walk away with the top prize, a CAA-approved avalanche skills training course, G3 El Hombre skis, G3 skins and a one-year subscription to explore Magazine . David Gluzman's photo, "Memories," took home top honours for being "visually energizing," exemplifying an amazing day in the B.C. backcountry and aligning with B.C.'s adventurous spirit.

But there were lots of other prizes awarded: Suzanne Corno's "Afternoon Starlight" won in the hiking category and John Everts's "Paradise" captured the skiing category, while Peter Ng's "Migration" was winner in the wildlife/nature category.

To check out the winning submissions, visit www.bcbackcountry.ca.

 

ArtWalk expands

Whistler Arts Council may be facing a seriously depleted budget this year, thanks in large part to the elimination of their Gaming Grant funding and cuts to the B.C. Council of the Arts, but they're still planning on making the 2010 ArtWalk bigger and better than ever.

This is the seventh year for the popular summertime event, which features regional artists and artisans in a range of host galleries throughout Whistler from June 15 to Aug. 31.

Organized by the Whistler Arts Council, TD Canada Trust and Whistler Real Estate Company, the event matches selected artists with local cafes, retail stores, hotels and restaurants. The reciprocal partnership is designed to showcase regional artwork over a significant period of time, while drawing people into businesses. All artists and artisans featured on the Whistler Arts Council website and in the 6,000 ArtWalk brochures printed and distributed throughout the Sea to Sky corridor.

WAC will kick off the ArtWalk action with two rounds of opening receptions, complete with live, local entertainment, music, art and dance along the Village Stroll on Friday, June 25 and Friday, Aug. 6.

Due to popular demand, organizers are also bringing back the Function Block pARTy on Friday, July 16, which will see artists' studios and businesses in Function Junction opened up to the public to showcase works, live art, music and entertainment.

Applications from artists and galleries must be received by Monday, April 19. Successful applicants will be named on Monday, May 27. Eligible applicants must live between Lions Bay and Lillooet, and work in visual art, photography, fibre arts, pottery, multimedia, jewelry, leather or sculpture mediums. Artists interested in participating must e-mail three to six JPEG photos of pieces that they would like to display at ArtWalk, including one photo of a new piece that hasn't been previously displayed. Artists who are already exhibiting in a Whistler business or gallery can ask their venue to apply as a gallery. For detailed guidelines on applying as an artist or participating gallery, visit www.whistlerartscouncil.com .

Whistler Village Art Gallery enjoys Games

It looks like another Whistler gallery had great success during the weeks of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. According to Jeanine Messeguer of the Whistler Village Art Gallery, their two locations had a number of high-end sales during the Games, selling hyper-realistic paintings by Bogdan Molea and their two largest and most expensive sculptures (valued at more than $80,000 and weighing over a tonne each).

They were a bit surprised by the sales, as they had expected the Olympics to be a slow period. Owner Jim Davidson had visited Salt Lake and Park City just after their Olympics to visit with gallery owners in hopes of forecasting successfully for the 2010 Games in Whistler. Those owners suggested that they shut down entirely and simply enjoy the Games, or bring in lots of small "touristy" works.

Despite these recommendations, the two locations of the Whistler Village Art Gallery (at the Four Seasons Resort and the Hilton Whistler Resort) decided to jump headlong into the Olympics, asking their artists to send their best work possible, regardless of size or price.

"Although we certainly had significantly less heads popping in to have a look," Messeguer wrote in an e-mail, "those that did were very keen and we have developed some strong relationships with these collectors."

 

Aeriosa finds suitable stage at VPL

Any avid readers of the Georgia Straight may have noticed a small article in the paper two weeks ago on the aerial dance performance that was staged on the façade of the Vancouver Public Library during the Olympics.

Readers may also have noted that the company putting on that performance was none other than Aeriosa, the same company that was commissioned by the Whistler Arts Council to create a similar site-specific piece titled "Inspired by Place." But the $110,000 Whistler show had to be cancelled last March, after on-site rehearsals revealed that the community didn't have buildings tall enough to pull off the performance properly.

Doti Niedermayer, executive director of WAC, revealed that the two Aeriosa shows were actually completely separate entities. According to Niedermayer, the company had also been planning a Vancouver performance as part of the Cultural Olympiad programming, and didn't simply relocate the Whistler show to the city.