Art in the Park is an annual program that invites 12 artists to live, explore, and paint in Glacier National Park (Canada) for a week. We live and adventure together, creating sketches and collecting inspiration, and then go home to our own studios to each create three pieces for a travelling exhibition. This program is partnership between Parks Canada and the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a 2024 artist. Here is how it went!
Monday - Settling In
We arrived in Glacier National Park and got settled into "the bunkhouse". This is a facility used by the army for winter avalanche control. We each got a private room, and had access to a big commercial kitchen. We got a big delivery of groceries for the week as well as a list of supper recipes and options for breakfast and picnic lunches. The food was great! We worked together make meals and they were so healthy and hearty - including great hiking snacks.
After we settled in, we had a safety orientation with Parks Canada staff, learning about current hiking conditions and bear awareness. Then we hiked a short trail in the park to learn about the history of the area, exploring the ruins of the Glacier House hotel.
Most of us headed to the Roger's Pass Discovery Centre to do some plein air painting in the parking lot at dusk. The moon was rising over the glacier and the sunset gilded the edges of the mountain peaks - beautiful to capture this special place!
Tuesday - Abbott Ridge
Most of the group wanted to do a big hike on Tuesday, so we got up early to hike to Marion Lake and Abbott Ridge. This area had a few options as some of us could spend the day at the lake for a shorter hike, while others could hike and scramble higher. Our group of artists had a diverse range of mediums and styles - we had photographers, watercolourists, oil and acrylic painters, even a potter! Once we got to Marion Lake, we all got out our sketch books and some of us went for a swim.
I was part of the group that hiked higher to Abbott Ridge, so we continued up the trail, scrambling a little higher along the ridge to a high point over the park. We could look down both valleys, with glaciers and waterfalls dripping down the peaks in all directions. What an alpine paradise! It was a big day with nearly 18km of distance and 1100m of elevation gained. Everyone was tired.
Wednesday- Great Glacier Trail
We all agreed to do a group hike Wednesday with Parks Canada staff, so we explored the Great Glacier Trail that leads to the moraine below Illecillewaet Glacier. A big waterfall was on display and most of us scrambled further along the moraine to find nice painting spots.
The weather was hot all week! Highs over 30C, even in the alpine! We had to take care to stay cool and protected from the sun.
After lunch, we headed to Bear Creek Falls for more sketching and painting. The waterfall was in full force and the spray coming off made it hard to get close. Nice and refreshing!
After supper, I headed to the Summit of Roger's Pass interpretive site for some more plein air painting. The Trans Canada Highway was always busy nearby and Roger's Pass is the highest point in Canada, with lots of activity as the semi trucks pull over to brake check.
Thursday - Avalanche Crest
Another hot day! We split up into 4 different hiking groups with various objectives. Some artists wanted another long alpine day with big exploration, some wanted a quieter day with more time for painting.
My group headed up the Avalanche Crest Trail, so we had a fairly big day again with 12km of distance and 900m of elevation gained. We were treated to quite a few wildflowers growing in the avalanche paths and big views once we gained the ridge.
We gathered again for dinner to compare notes and share photos. It was our last night together and we all wanted to hang out after supper.
Friday - Heading Home
Friday morning we packed up, cleaned up, and said our goodbyes. We will go home to our studios to work on our pieces for the group show in 2025. It was hard to say goodbye to so many new artist friends, but I am looking forward to seeing most of the group when our show opens.
I stopped in Revelstoke to check out the Visual Arts Centre where our exhibition will start.
A huge thank you to the Parks Canada staff and Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre for making this program happen, and choosing me! I had such an amazing week full of art, adventure, and new friends!
If you're an artist, you can find out more about the program here: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/bc/glacier/activ/art
It took me a few tries to get in over the years, so definitely continue to apply if the program interests you. They take 12 artists each year and try to include a range of styles and mediums.