Arts & Culture

chainsaw carver carving a bear out of a log

CHAINSAW CARVINGS

Carving artists from around the world converge in Hope’s Memorial Park, every other summer, to show off their skills with a chainsaw. Since the carving of a Douglas fir trunk in 1991, Hope’s worked tirelessly at solidifying itself as the world leader in chainsaw carvings.

In past years, renowned artists like Jesse Toso, Ryan Villiers, Mark Colp and Chris Foltz have competed at Hope’s World-Class Chainsaw Competition. This is where you can witness the carvers in action creating their masterpieces. Mark your calendar–the next competition will be in August 2025.

Pete Ryan, one of Hope’s original carvers, left a legacy of carvings all over the region, including Bart the Bear, that stands in downtown Hope. As well as marmots at East and West Gate in Manning Park, park benches in front of District Hall and many other carvings throughout the community. Pete was also known globally through two TV series, Saw Dogs and Carver Kings.

HOPE & DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL

The Art Machine, operated by the Hope & District Arts Council at 357 Fort St., offers affordable classes and workspace for beginners and experts of all ages. Classes include paper crafts, acrylic and watercolour painting, handbuilding and wheel thrown pottery. Basket and wire weaving, glass mosaics and adult clay sculpting are some of the workshops that have been offered. Everyone is welcome.

paintings, pottery and statues in art gallery

HOPE ARTS GALLERY

For those looking to take a piece of Hope home with them, the Hope Arts Gallery showcases some of Hope’s best artists in permanent and rotating exhibits. The Gallery is operated by the Hope & District Arts Council at 349 Fort St.

looking over a field of people listening to outdoor music festival

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

A free series featuring every style of music through July and August. Concerts run Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the bandstand in Memorial Park. Presented by the Hope & District Arts Council. Visit hopedistrictartscouncil.com for more information.

HOPE ART CRAWL

The Hope Art Crawl is an annual two-day event that showcases local artists. Each year it takes place in Hope in June. Professional and hobby artists of all genres will display their art/craft at their own home or studio in Hope or surrounding area. The public is invited to tour all the art venues, which will be shown on a map of Hope available at the Hope Visitor Centre. Visit facebook.com/HopeArtCrawl for details.

TASHME MUSEUM

In 1942, the Canadian government created a coastal exclusion zone and Japanese-Canadians living within that zone were interned in camps across the country. Between 1942 and 1946, approximately 2,600 people were interned at Sunshine Valley, then called Tashme. The name Tashme is derived from the last names of the men responsible for the camp: Taylor, Shirras and Mead. After the war, a significant number of internees stayed in the area and built

a vibrant Japanese-Canadian community in Hope.

Tashme is Canada’s largest Japanese Canadian internment site. A museum located on the site, is housed within the original Tashme butcher shop and receives visitors from around the world, including dignitaries from Japan, and movie stars like George Takei from Star Trek. In the museum you can view hundreds of original Tashme artifacts, photographs and many other items from internment camps across BC. Check out tashmemuseum.ca for hours of operation.

HOPE RIVER GENERAL STORE

Hope River General Store, in Emory Creek, carries Indigenous arts and crafts, as well as local wild smoked salmon and their famous “Indian Candy”. 28775 TransCanada Highway, 18 km north of Hope.

MUSKWA GALLERY

native arts signage at Indigenous gallery

Muskwa Gallery & Indian Crafts carries outstanding works of Indigenous art in this Indigenous owned gallery. 773 Water Ave. in Hope.

RUBY CREEK ART GALLERY

The Ruby Creek Art Gallery, which is owned and operated by Sq’ewa:lxw First Nation, is committed to promoting the work of the finest Northwest First Nations artists. 58611C Lougheed Highway, about 14.5 km west of Hope. www.facebook.com/RubyCreekArtGallery

TUCKKWIOWHUM

Tuckkwiowhum Heritage Village Gift Shop, is home to carvings crafted by local First Nation people as well as healing salves, teas, arnica and huckleberry jam. Located 5 km south of Boston Bar.

HEAVEN N EARTH

Heaven N Earth Native Art Gallery and Cultural Studio is a privately owned gallery that features authentic handmade Indigenous products located at 340B Wallace St. Hope. Check their Facebook page for hours they are open to the public.