The East Kootenay is a veritable magnet for the creatively inclined.

Artists of all medium, grade and temperament call this mountain region home, for good reason. If you can’t become inspired by the towering grandeur of nature and its boundless variety evident within a blink on a clear day, you are not an artist. Or you’re severely in need a good, sound visit from a muse or two.

Each year, as more people within the three hour rubber tire ring of the region, and beyond, discover what we residents know, more artists set up shop. The region also encourages the hidden artist within, and gives birth to incredible blazing talent.

A fine example of the growth of art and artists in this region can be found on Invermere’s main street.

A popular lake and ski getaway location since the mid 20^th Century, Invermere has always had its share of talented artists, most having shown their work through the hosting of the Columbia Valley Arts Council on the walls of the beautiful Pynelogs Cultural Centre.

Natural progression of the inertia created by the arts council and the Columbia Valley’s arts community has been the rise of art galleries, with Bavin Glass and Artym Gallery surfacing as the first ‘serious’ private galleries and stores in Invermere in recent decades.

Both galleries have not only provided visits with beautiful and ponderous art, they’ve made the art of expression a literal thing. Pat and Ryan Bavin have captivated visitors and locals with glass-blowing and art demonstrations, while guest artists have made Artym a fascinating place to check out.

Adding to Invermere’s art attractions is Effusion Art Gallery, owned and operated by glass artist Heather Cuell, drawn to the region to ply her talents from the Queensland coast.

Cuell opened Effusion four years ago and regularly welcomes guest artists.

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, Kimberley artist Christine Simpson offered gallery visitors a chance to see a grizzly bear come to life on a canvas.

“I’ve never done a bear before,” Simpson said laughing. However, an article in a nature magazine inspired her to embark down a new artistic stream.

Simpson is like many artists in this region – diverse.

While she works primarily with acrylics, she describes her body of work thus far as “an alchemy of the awe, respect and the overwhelming inspiration” she gains from nature.

Through photography, textiles, painting and mixed media, Simpson says she “attempts to both capture and inspire the human spirit.”

Originally from Vancouver Island, the self-taught painter has lived in Whistler and the Pemberton Valley before settling in Kimberley because she sought to take advantage of “the diverse scenery and opportunities the area has to offer.”

Simpson has been working fulltime as an artist since 2009 and her work has appeared at a dozen galleries, shows and exhibits since 2008.

Strolling out of Effusion, one immediately comes to another gallery. And there’s another just down main street Invermere. Heading back the other way is the arts council’s own location. Kitty corner from it, over Invermere’s Cenotaph Park, there is another gallery/store. Each contains local and regional work embodying the splendid gulf of arts and crafts, making the lakeside town one of the more ‘arts intensive’ communities in the region.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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