Connect with art on Kootenay Lake

The East Shore is renowned for its artisans and an art walk is bringing it all together

1 of 3Geri Gomola works on a painting in her art gallery, Emerald Eastcliff Art Gallery. — Photo courtesy Geri Gomola

2 of 3Wood carving at Mervin Robertson Gallery in Crawford Bay is one unique venue along the art-walk route. — Photo courtesy Geri Gomola

3 of 3Barefoot Handweaving is an example of Crawford Bay's artisans in Kootenay Lake Art Connections. — Photo courtesy Geri Gomola

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Kootenay Lake Art Connections, an art walk connecting many of the venues on Kootenay Lake’s East Shore, is certainly a great initiative. With the artist community of Crawford Bay, and galleries and artists scattered from Wynndel to the Kootenay Bay ferry landing, tourists can benefit from access to a summary of what’s available.

Until this year, there was an art walk involving the Creston Valley and East Shore. With 35 venues spanning Yahk to Riondel, however, the project was simply too large for volunteers to keep it up. Artist Geri Gomola stepped up to bring together Kootenay Lake Art Connections.

“I thought it really was a good thing to get people coming out and along the lake,” she said. “The lake is a long drive so they can stop somewhere along the way and look at the art. I think the businesses that are along the way are sometimes a little bit isolated, so I thought I would take it over.”

Gomola has found the task bigger than she anticipated. She’s working with Warren Clark, an award-winning designer who also calls the East Shore home, but had to take on most other aspects, from facilitating to writing. She plans that Kootenay Lake Art Connections will become an annual event, although she hopes to get other volunteers involved in subsequent years now that she’s learned the ropes.

Twenty-four venues will be part of Kootenay Lake Art Connections. Plenty of traditional art galleries are on the list, but there are a variety of artisans including a soap maker, weaver and blacksmith, as well as a winery. Brochures will be available at each venue, at the Creston visitor centre and on the Kootenay Lake Ferry.