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COCHRANE— Creating a holiday experience that can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of home, the Town of Cochrane has launched the Virtual Christmas ArtWalk.
The online ArtWalk has been curated by Town of Cochrane arts and culture programmer Jola Muran. The goal of crafting the virtual gallery experience is to celebrate Christmas and local artists.
“It’s a way to support local artists. Everybody’s been hit really hard and art is everywhere,” Muran said. “It's a way to bring a spotlight to the art.”
Celebrating artists and art is especially important during COVID-19, she added, because pieces may not be as easily accessible for people to visit.
Muran noted there has been a growing movement during COVID-19 of people coming together to support each other, and this has grown to include actively supporting local creators.
“Art is such a healing space there’s so much going on that’s not positive and the arts is that healing path— Whether its music, colourful paintings or a landscape that take you away just for a moment, just so you have a break,” Muran said.
The Virtual Christmas ArtWalk a mix of different art pieces including paintings and art installations. The majority of the artists featured in the show are local to Cochrane or the surrounding area.
“They capture local scenery and local ideas,” Muran said.
One of the signature pieces of the virtual gallery art installations created by artist Robert Kalinovich.
Kalinovich has created installations for McKay's Ice Cream and Krang Distilling. Videos of his moving displays are featured in the ArtWalk. One of Muran's favourite videos is the MooKay’s Ice Cream Factory window display.
“It just transports you back in time because it's so simple but so complex to make,” Muran said. “He’s done these very complex moving installations— It’s so gentle it takes you back. It's got that old school, old country, old world feel to it. It’s comforting.”
Muran said she is proud of the artists, adding it is an amazing opportunity to showcase their talents in Cochrane.
Canmore-based artist Lynne Harrison is one of several artists featured in the online gallery. She boasts large, vibrant and colourful acrylic on canvas paintings.
Her favourite is the painting Rhapsody that features Rundle Mountain as seen from Canmore in vivid pinks, purples, greens and blues.
“I call myself the colour alchemist,” Harrison said with a chuckle.
Rhapsody captures a whimsical feeling of joy and is one of five works featured in the show.
Harrison participated in a show at the Cochrane RancheHouse about four years ago, she said, and has enjoyed having the opportunity to reconnect with the town in the Christmas Virtual Art Walk.
She noted the event marks her first time participating in a virtual ArtWalk. Harrison praised Cochrane for the unique and innovative idea that has ensured artists can connect with their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a great way to respond to what’s going on in the world and to get art out there for people to see,” Harrison said.
Preparing for the virtual ArtWalk was like getting ready for any other show, she said, adding the real challenge lies in finding ways to connect with audiences when they are unable to meet in-person.
“I think it’s a really cool idea, even though we’re in this COVID thing and we're really not doing anything, I think it’s really important that people do have access to art and culture,” Harrison said. “It’s really, really important, especially at this time. It’s Christmas, it’s dark out we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. We’re having all sorts of economic difficulties. That’s when we really need to be looking at things that make us feel good and art really does that.”
She hopes her paintings evoke a feeling of happiness in those who see them. Harrison added the ArtWalk is a great opportunity to bring people joy and provide some hope to audiences in what has been a challenging year.
“I hope they can look at a piece that I did and just enjoy it,” Harrison said.
To check out the Cochrane Virtual Christmas ArtWalk visit the Town of Cochrane website.
