LIFTing the Community
Retired Catskinner Chairs Find New Life As Works of Art with LIFTing the Community
Outdoor Exhibit: Whistler Village and Upper Village | FREE, all ages | June – August, 2021
Auction: LIVE ONLINE | On now – September 7, 2021
Kids on the Move & KUPS
Proceeds will benefit: Kids on the Move
Supported by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and run by Whistler Community Services Society, Kids on the Move provides funds to young people up to 17 years old in need of financial support for arts and sport programs.
Artist: KUPS
As I evolve as an artist and art mentor, I find extreme value in opportunities to work with kids and communities on creating something beautiful. Being able to share my passion and engage participants at the same time is an unbelievable feeling.
Would you like to see this chair in person? Look for chair #14 on the map.
*As this is an outdoor exhibit, all chairs will be touched up by the artists before going to their new home. Find our more about the auction
Bid on this LIFTing the Community chair!
Discover the story behind the chair and find out more about the artist and organization:
Paired with artist Kris Kups
Whistler, BC is where I currently call home, as a painter and mural artist, life close to the mountains makes the most sense. I look to inspire with styles of street art and realism with many different mediums. As I evolve as an artist and art mentor, opportunities to work with kids and communities on creating something beautiful are something I find extreme value in. Being able to share my passion and engage participants at the same time is an unbelievable feeling. Art is the focus, Painting is the tool, Good Vibes are the message13 years Professional Artist.
kriskupskay.com | facebook.com/EL.KUPS | @kups_paint
Kids on the Move
Supported by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and run by Whistler Community Services Society, Kids on the Move provides funds to young people up to 17 years old in need of financial support for arts and sport programs.
mywcss.org/legal-and-financial-support/kids-on-the-move/
LIFTing the Community
Local artists have transformed 15 retired Catskinner ski lift chairs into works of art, reflecting the theme of belonging as perceived by 15 community groups that actively contribute to community life. LIFTing the Community has been created to enhance the sense of belonging in Whistler and the Sea to Sky. Whether Whistler is home for a season or a lifetime, a sense of belonging benefits us all. In our ever-growing and changing community, wellness, connection and a sense of home needs to be fostered, practiced, discussed and experienced by our community.
With support from Vail Resort’s Epic Promise fund, in partnership with Tourism Whistler and the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Arts Whistler has paired some of the Sea to Sky’s most exciting artists with 15 community groups to reimagine trusty old Catskinner lift chairs into compelling works of art. Tourism Whistler recently provided space for the artists to work in the Whistler Conference Centre.
The reimagined chairs are on display throughout the summer in Whistler Village for people to explore, experience and discover their own spirit of belonging. Chairs will be auctioned off with the funds going to the community organizations to support their programs that support community belonging and wellbeing.
Learn more about all of the participating community groups and creative artists paired with them:
- Arts Whistler | Anna Lynch
- Audain Art Museum | Dave Petko & Liz Thomson
- AWARE | Ben Poechman
- Kids on the Move | Kris Kups
- Mature Action Community | Tonnja Kopp
- The Point Artist Run Centre | Sherry Klassen
- Squamish Arts Council | Kendra Hicks
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre | Taka Sudo & Dominique Nahanee
- Whistler Adaptive Sport Program | Vanessa Stark
- Whistler Blackcomb Foundation | Mike Tyler & Bob Van Engelsdorp
- Whistler Community Foundation | Stan Matwychuk
- Whistler Community Services Society & Laura Scarr
- Whistler Museum and Archives | Alyssa Bruijns
- Whistler Public Library | Michaela Ivancova
- Whistler Youth Centre/Alphabet Soup | Ace Mackay-Smith & Mercedes Nicoll
Take yourself on a tour and discover all of the chairs for yourself!
Save the map to your phone | Download the full printable brochure
With thanks to our sponsor Epic Promise, and project partners:
Thanks to Neutron Factory Works for production support.
Accommodation provided by:
