Artist in Residence Program
We are proud to present our ‘Artist in Residence’ program in partnership with Mountain Galleries. This program follows in the footsteps of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s vision in the early 1900’s that saw the railway use artwork to tell the story of the hotel and its’ destination to potential travelers around the globe. For the 125th celebration, artists will be asked to create work that is either inspired by or tells the story of The Fairmont Banff Springs.
Each month the artist chosen by Mountain Galleries will live and paint in the hotel for one week, working from designated areas throughout the hotel giving guests the opportunity to watch the art come to life from the first stroke of the brush. The ‘Artist in Residence’ program will give hotel guests the chance to become inspired artists themselves with the ‘Artist in Residence Package’. The package will be available the third week of every month and includes two nights luxury accommodation, welcome reception and an artist led seminar. Follow our 125th anniversary on Twitter at #BanffSprings125.
February’s artist: Linda Wilder – Landscape painter working primarily in Acrylic
Growing up an ‘air force brat’, Linda travelled extensively across Canada, and settled in Alberta. Her creative ability was readily evident as a child and eventually was able to follow her destiny. Her education consists of formal training in Red Deer College (Art &Design) and U of C BFA program as well as numerous workshops with acclaimed artists. Linda is a prolific artist and enjoys a variety of subject matter and tools (her favourite being the palette knife). Living in Calgary and painting fulltime, she has enjoyed many successes and accolades.
March’s artist: Rod Prouse – Oil & Acrylic painting
Prouse, a graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, exhibits mainly in painting and printmaking and recently in photo-based and video art. His professional career has given him 27 solo exhibitions, and as many group exhibitions across Canada, the U.S.A., England, and Germany. Solo exhibitions have included shows at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and at the MacLaren Art Centre. Rod Prouse currently lives beside Georgian Bay and is also inspired by its wind, rocks and waters.
April’s artist: Wendy Wacko – Oil & Acrylic painting
Artist/Film maker, Wendy Wacko, was born in Toronto in 1951. After graduating from high school she studied art at Central Technical Art School and at the New School of Art from 1969 to 1972. In 1972 Wendy traveled to Western Canada on a painting expedition and settled in Jasper where she continues to live and paint. From 1979 to 1992 Wendy produced seven award-winning films for network television. She is also the founder of Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont, with locations in Jasper, Banff and Whistler.
May's artist: Michael Downs
When Michael J. Downs paints a work of art, it is his goal for the viewer to be drawn into the everyday yet extraordinary beauty of the world he constantly sees around him. Conceptually, Michael was born an artist and started drawing as far back as he can recall. This has a great impact on how one sees the world around them. Scenes that may daily go unnoticed by most, or perhaps might be taken for granted by others can be extraordinary sources of beauty and inspiration for Michael.
Technically, Michael then uses his abundance of skill to masterfully capture and portray not only the striking physical likeness in his mostly figurative subject matter, but also a deeper spiritualcontemplative essence. Hence this has earned Michael J. Downs the moniker: “Contemplative figure Painter.”
June's artist: Gail Johnson – Oil & Acrylic painting
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Gail held an avid interest in art since her teens. She attended Boston University, and later studied art at Toronto’s Central Technical School and Ontario College of Art. She furthered her art education at Malaspina University College in Nanaimo.
Gail works mainly in acrylics and oils on canvas, as well watercolor and pastels. Confident stroke and bold, color saturated palette often define her acrylic and oils, whereas her work in pastels is mostly seen in large, sensitively rendered life drawings. Gail paints intuitively, often referencing imagery inspired by her farming life, her proximity to Vancouver island’s impressive coastline, her favorite fly fishing locations and travels, and her love for all things growing.
July's artist: Roy Hinz – Soapstone
Born in British Columbia’s rugged interior and raised in northern Alberta, Roy grew up with a natural appreciation, respect and admiration for the inhabitants of the harsh and beautiful land that surrounded him. As an avid outdoorsman with a keen eye for nature’s ways, Roy’s soapstone carvings reflect his love of western Canada’s awe-inspiring wilderness.
Trained as a commercial artist, Roy gave up a successful career in graphic design to pursue his passion. ‘I had experimented with watercolours and acrylics, but it wasn’t until I drew a file across a piece of unpolished soapstone that I knew I’d found it.’ His stone carvings can be found in collections throughout the world.
About Mountain Galleries
Established in 1992 in Jasper, Alberta by artist/filmmaker Wendy Wacko, Mountain Galleries is one of the largest commercial galleries in Western Canada with locations in Fairmont hotels in Banff, Jasper & Whistler. The collection represents major and mid-career artists.
The mission of the gallery is to support and promote Canadian Artists. Ms. Wacko brings 35 years of working experience in the arts to this collection and has assembled a staff of well educated young professionals who understand and respect the mission of the gallery. Understanding their clients’ needs and providing the best possible customer service is their top priority. More information on each artist can be found on the Mountain Galleries website.
Learn more about our Artist in Residence Package