WHISTLER LIFE

Whistler for Art Lovers

You probably know Whistler as a ski, snowboard, and mountain bike mecca. Perhaps you associate it with adrenaline-heavy activities like zip lining, bungee jumping, ATVing, and snowmobiling. Maybe you’ve heard about our top-notch restaurants, hotels, and retailers.

All of these things are true – but there’s another side of Whistler that we think you should get to know.

It’s time to check out Whistler’s artsy side.

If you think about it, it makes sense that Whistler is an artist’s haven. There is no shortage of inspiration in this town – just look outside! The artist community is somewhat small, but it receives plenty of support from local organizations, residents, and tourists alike.

If you love art, here are a few places you should check out here in Whistler.

The Whistler Arts Council

Housed in Millennium Place (on the Village Stroll near the Whistler Brew Pub), the Whistler Arts Council is the root of many creative initiatives that take place around town. There’s almost always a temporary exhibit on display, and they frequently host movies, classes, and other cultural events.

Maybe you’ve heard buskers crooning along the Village Stroll in the summer months, or perhaps your kids have made a craft at the Arts Council booth during a holiday weekend – the Whistler Arts Council is behind these activities and many more.

The Audain Art Museum

Technically, the Audain Art Museum isn’t open yet (coming this fall!), but you can’t blame us for getting excited about it. If you’ve wondered about the state-of-the-art structure being erected between Day Lots 3 and 4 in the Village, wonder no more: this 56,000 square foot building will be home to a permanent collection of B.C. art. We can’t wait to check out the collection for ourselves, and we anticipate that the museum will draw many art lovers to our beautiful mountain town.

The Galleries

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

Take an afternoon to stroll through Whistler’s many art galleries – don’t forget to wander around hotel lobbies, as this is where you’ll find some of the best hidden gems! Each gallery offers something different. Talk to staff members to learn about the pieces and the artists – you just might walk away with a one-of-a-kind souvenir!

If you’re in Whistler during the summer, check out ArtWalk (put on by the Whistler Arts Council – they really do everything!) Grab a passport and make your way through various venues to take in the works of our talent located artists.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Gary Fiegehen/SLCC
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Gary Fiegehen/SLCC

The building that houses the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre is a work of art in itself, but what it holds inside is even more incredible. We recommend taking a guided tour to learn more about the arts, culture, and histories of the Squamish and Lil’wat people.

Non-Stop Art Events Year-Round

Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers
Photo Credit: Tourism Whistler/Steve Rogers

There are a variety of art-centric events taking place year-round. Do a little digging to find out what will be happening while you’re in town. Here are a few to look into:

 

 

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