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
The Point Artist-Run Centre & Sherry Klassen
Proceeds will benefit: The Point Artist-Run Centre
The Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) was formed in 2009 by a diverse group of Whistler artists working in a variety of disciplines. They formed a creative centre that incubates artistic activity through affordable space, educational and mentorship opportunities, and collaborative projects between artists within and outside Whistler.
Artist: Sherry Klassen
Sherry Klassen is an emerging artist who paints primarily in acrylic. She is inspired by all things west coast, in particular birds and animals. She chooses to paint images that bring a bit of happiness or humor to add a little joy to the world.
Would you like to see this chair in person? Look for chair #5 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 Sherry Klassen
Sherry Klassen is an emerging artist who paints primarily in acrylic. She is inspired by all things west coast, in particular birds and animals. She also does commissions for people and is particularly inspired by people’s pets. She chooses to paint images that bring a bit of happiness or humor to add a little joy to the world. Sherry is currently working on her painting certificate at Emily Carr University. She loves experimenting with different styles and techniques as she continues to push herself to improve her skills. She has had several pieces exhibited and sold at different events and galleries over the past few years including; The Seymour Art Gallery – Art Party, MAB Art Studio, Art World Expo – Vancouver, City Gallery – North Vancouver -The Anonymous Art Show, Pancakes and Booze Art Show – Vancouver, Roam Gallery – Ontario – Canuck Show, We are Family, Animal Love – Solo Show, Harris Barn Show, and High, Low – Holiday Show, Arts Whistler – Art Scene Uncovered, The Anonymous Art Show and Think it Over. Her paintings are available to purchase through Roam Gallery and Arts Whistler.
The Point Artist-Run Centre
The Point Artist-Run Centre (PARC) was formed in 2009 by a diverse group of Whistler artists working in a variety of disciplines. These artists saw the need for a creative centre that would incubate artistic activity through affordable live and work space, offer educational and mentorship opportunities, and encourage collaborative projects between artists within and outside the community that engage the public. PARC has been a registered non-profit society in BC since March 2010. It operates out of a municipally-owned property at 5678 Alta Lake Road in Whistler. As its name implies, PARC is run by artists with a 10-member board of directors, an artistic director, events assistant and many generous volunteers. PARC hosts events featuring live music, theatre and comedy, an annual summer theatre and arts festival, a winter carnival, a summer arts open house series called Sundays at The Point, weekly Artist Sessions providing creative work space, children’s theatre and music day camps, and workshop and mentoring opportunities for local artists. The lodge has a commercial kitchen license, and there is an adjacent cabin for occasional artist-in-residence programs. PARC provides many working opportunities for artists through performances, project development and arts instruction with an aim to weave artistic activity into the economic and social fabric of the community.
thepointartists.com | facebook.com/thepointarts | @thepointarts
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:
