News & Events
FEBRUARY 2012
NEW BENCHES FOR THE NATIVE SPECIES GARDENS. The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society has signed-off on 5 new replacement benches to be built by Wood King. Kevin Nicolson, owner of Wood King in Black Diamond, is passionate about his reclaimed wood. From the Porcupine Hills of Alberta and slated to be burned after logging, Kevin reclaimed Douglas Fir, Spruce and Pine aged from 500 to 1200 years old. Knowing the right time would emerge to create pieces that reflect the rich history of this magnificent wood, Kevin waited. The Native Species Gardens will feature five masterpieces created by Kevin and his team.
Native Gardens Bench 1 Native Gardens Bench 2
: JANUARY 2012
ARTIST DOUG SWINTON COMPLETES ART PLACARD. Doug Swinton's painting, entitled 'local buildings' has been completed and is ready for mounting onto it's designated bench monolith in the Artisan Gardens, this coming Spring/Summer. The Society would like to thank Faye and Rick Luchak for sponsoring Doug's piece.
“Local Buildings” by Doug Swinton
DECEMBER 2011
BRAWN FAMILY FOUNDATION SPONSORS ARROWHEAD TOP. The Society would like to thank the The Brawn Foundation for generously sponsoring the first bench arrowhead. The Foundation's name and logo will be etched in steel and proudly displayed on the crown of one of the Artisan Gardens' bench monoliths.
NEWLY COMPLETED ART PLACARD. Artists Ken Parry and Knicki Markloff have completed their commissioned bench art placard entitled 'The Gathering of the Crows'. The placard was generously sponsored by ML & MC Rozsa de Coquet.
“The Gathering of the Crows" by Ken Parry & Knicki Markloff
NOVEMBER 2011
PAUL VAN GINKEL COMPLETES SPONSORED ARTWORK. Artist Paul Van Ginkel has completed his Triptych entitled 'Herd of Horses'. This magnificent painting which was sponsored by Suzanne Sorensen & Jim Dawes, is divided into 3 sections and will cover an entire 3-sided bench monolith in the Artisan Gardens. We are so grateful to Paul for his participation and on-going support of the Artisan Gardens and of the Bow Valley Ranche!
GERNOT KIEFER IS BACK! The Society is pleased to announce that artist Gernot Keifer is healthy and back working on sponsor Rob Peters' hand-carved stone bench. Gernot has also been commissoned for a 3rd bench, to be placed along the historical walkway. Welcome back Gernot, we look forward to seeing more of your mastery come alive!
There are 7 more benches available for sponsorship along the Historical Walkway. Find out how you can become a sponsor here.
NEW ARCHIVAL PHOTOS. At long last, we have received 23 new photos of the Bow Valley Ranche, from the Glenbow Archives. The Society would like to give special thanks to the Fish Creek Provincial Park management for making this possible. See the new photos on Page 3 and Page 4 of our photo gallery.
OCTOBER 2011
SOCIETY CO-FOUNDERS RECEIVE WESTERN LEGACY AWARD.
On October 21, 2011, Larry and Mitzie Wasyliw received the Western Legacy Award for sustained contribution for their efforts in the Ranche restoration.
Mitzie and Larry Wasyliw, co-founders of the Bow Valley Ranche Restoration Society (1995) were nominated by Mary Kadri (volunteer to the Society).
Larry & Mitzie Wasyliw with Calgary Stampede CEO, Mike Casey
The Western Legacy Awards were hosted by the Calgary Stampede and broadcast by Shaw TV. Read more about it in the Calgary Herald article.
“Our Success is your success - become a part of the legacy”
ARTISAN GARDENS featured in Calgary Herald article by Mario Toneguzzi, October 6, 2011. Read the article....
Photo Credit: Grant Black, Calgary Herald Archive
THE ARTISAN GARDENS vision is becoming a reality. October saw the completion of the landscaping and infrastructure for holding the benches in place. The prototype bench for hosting the art pieces is not without its challenges, however is becoming a reality.
Artisan Gardens Bench Prototype
THE BRANDED PATIO ~ behind the grand salon of the Ranche house, now has enhanced landscaping and features some of the completed mosaic stepping stones by artist Pamela Rodger. Family insignia, hand and foot prints are melded with images and aspects of the Fish Creek Park in a design pattern of a wagon wheel reminiscent of an era gone by.
Pamela is currently researching and developing a story line that will be presented in 7 mosaic stepping stones showcasing the brands and the ranche history from 1872 – 1972. Pamela is excited to pass on an understanding and respect of the rich history of the Ranche to our Children and Grandchildren.
Samples of the 18” Mosaic Stepping Stones uniquely designed with sponsors' wishes taken into consideration.
NEW INSTALLATIONS
A new engraved sign with the BVR logo was installed at the entrance to the Bow Valley Ranche. Also, three new sets of bicycle stands were purchased and placed on the Historical Walk between Annie’s and the Ranche House, October 2011.
SEPTEMBER 2011
FALL CLEAN-UP
The last weekend in September marked our final weekend of garden maintenance until Spring 2012. Thanks to the Society's hard-working garden volunteers for their continued commitment and dedication to beautifying the Native Gardens.
MONOLITH ART PLACARDS
Currently 15 pieces of artwork have been completed, below show art placards with and without family hand prints captured in porcelain clay.
To view completed art work and sponsor opportunities, visit our Artist's Page
“TWO BEARS” ~ by Erica Neumann “THE BRANDING” ~ by Robert Magee Sponsor ~ Clancy & Bernice Patton Sponsorship Opportunity Available
AUGUST 2011
Jeff de Boer's stainless steel Teepee structure has been delivered to the Artisan Gardens site and will soon be raised and positioned. We look forward to seeing it prominently displayed as a historical tribute to the First Nations people, the original settlers of the Fish Creek Valley.
The Society is proud to announce that Paul Van Ginkel's triptych, which will feature a herd of horses, has been fully sponsored and will be displayed on all three sides of one bench arrowhead monolith. We are greatful to Paul for supporting the Artisan Gardens, as he was instrumental in promoting this unique landmark project to friends, art enthusiasts and other members of the community alike.
JULY 2011
A 20’ Teepee interpretation (brushed stainless steel) by multimedia and metal artist Jeff de Boer is planned for installation in July and will be the focal center piece of the Artisan Garden Amphitheater. One of the many art installations to be added to the Artisan Gardens .
DECEMBER 2, 2010
MEDIA RELEASE AND UNVEILING OF THE ARTISAN GARDENS
All media are welcome to come to The Ranche Restaurant in Fish Creek Provincial Park on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 10:45 am, for the official unveiling of the statue, followed by a light lunch to meet the artists, officials, sponsors and
volunteers members of The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society.
NOVEMBER 25, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
Artisan Gardens at the Bow Valley Ranche:
Honouring the First Nations and Fish Creek Valley History
Calgary, AB – This holiday season, the Bow Valley Ranche Historical Society invites the greater community of Calgary to take part in creating a historical space that will continue to give pride to their families for generations to come.
“This expansion will complete our vision to honour the first inhabitants, the Aboriginals or First Nations”, says Larry Wasyliw, President of The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society. “They were the first people to inhabit the area prior to the first settler, John Glen in 1890. It’s important to the Society to honour this connection.” The site is a known provincial historic resource and is visited by more than 1 million people each year.
Read entire press release here (PDF, 1 page)
