Submitted by Ryan Bavin
Artist
We (the Bavin’s) have been very excited to see the great response from near and far to the “Mountain Moments” show we currently have up at Pynelogs here in Invermere.
It has been a fun project to collaborate on with several people, including Arnor Larson and JD at the Windermere Valley Museum, Cajsa Fredin and Kate Goldie with Columbia Valley Arts, as well as Shawna Tegart and Tina Nowatschin, who are showing their work along with us in the great space at Pynelogs. Even though most of the artwork is made as an individual endeavour, it takes a community of people and organizations to work together and share their expertise and interests, and turn it into something that everyone can view and enjoy.
It has been particularly gratifying to show the work of Hal Bavin, our father/grandfather, and go back in time to visit the place we call home in a different era. Although Hal made a living as a carpenter and contractor building houses around the valley, we feel pretty fortunate that he felt it important to photograph the area and surrounding mountains. He was considered by many as a very skilled photographer, winning acclaim nationally and internationally, and being published in several magazines and newspapers, notably Beautiful British Columbia magazine and BC Outdoors magazine. Many of his photos were from remote wilderness areas, especially of the Purcell mountain range, which are still difficult to access to this day. His commitment to spend time in these remote places, as well as document them, gives us some insight into the pristine nature of these areas and how they may have changed in the last 80 years. Another of the really great things about Hal’s collection is seeing the many characters and personalities that lived around the valley in those days, and in some instances, are still here. It has been really fun to see so many familiar faces while going through images for the show.
Hal’s collection of photos are kept archived at the Windermere Valley Museum. The approximately 10,000 negatives have been organized and cataloged into several volumes of contact sheets that can be viewed by the public. The collection includes many names, places, and time stamps on the contact sheets, but many images are still unidentified or are of unknown people or places. The museum hopes that people with connections to the valley may consider having a look through the collection to help identify some of the people and places that are, as yet, still unknown.
For Pat and Ryan, “Mountain Moments” has been the culmination of the past several months spent organizing and, of course, creating new work. The winter months are great for spending lots of time in the studio creating new things that are usually based on the previous summer’s outings and activities. Pat will be shifting focus into his summer work, as he is one of western Canada’s few certified guides with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides. Ryan typically spends his summers working as a hiking guide certified with the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides around the local mountains. Something new this summer will be the teaming up of Pat and Ryan to offer some new workshops using both of their skills in the areas of art, creativity and nature. “Natural Creativity” workshops will be offered from June through to September. You can find out more at: bavinglass.com or patbavin.com.
Until summer hits, Ryan will be working blowing glass at Bavin Studios. The studio is still located in the same place it was when it was known as Bavin Glassworks. Although now you need to access the studio by walking around to the other (south) side of the building. The studio is open to the public three to four days a week during the Spring.
Pat will be offering Forest Walks starting up very soon. You can contact him directly through his website to learn more.
In the meantime, “Mountain Moments” is still up at Pynelogs! You can head down and check it out between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, until April 6. Ryan and Pat will be on site from Noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday to answer any questions. COVID-19 protocols are in effect; masks are mandatory and maximum occupancies in effect.
