Vancouver Art Gallery offers stunning Canadian works, hands on fun

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

The work of Emily Carr, a well known Canadian artist, is on display in a lovely space. 

NATIVE ART, ASIAN IMAGERY, VISITOR INVOLVEMENT ARE HIGHLIGHTS AT ONE OF CANADA'S FINEST MUSEUMS

Above, Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" 

Meyers pose in the imaginative museum.

 LIKE CANADA itself, the Vancouver Art Gallery is vast, varied and unique.

The Gallery (VAG), has a long history, and is proudly approaching its centennial.

Established in 1931, it is western Canada's largest public art museum and features an impressive collection of over 12,000 works by local, national, and international artists. 

IT LOOKS LIKE a government building -- with its imposing facade and ornate architecture. That's because it was a Vancouver's provincial courthouse for many years. The gallery is a repurposed, attractive adaptation of one of many 19th-century buildings in downtown Vancouver.

As befitting the city's population (nearly 40 per cent Chinese, Filipino and Southeast Asian), the gallery places special emphasis on art from the those and other Asia Pacific regions and honors indigenous artists as well.

                               The John David Lawrence Collection is one man's impressive 

and varied collection of ceramics created in British Columbia.

WE SPENT an engaging afternoon in the gallery, admiring each of the nicely curated exhibitions.  Coming from a family of ceramists, I was particularly enchanted by "Written in Clay:  From the John David Lawrence Collection."  It presents a history of ceramics created in British Columbia, told through the eyes of Lawrence.  His finely crafted show represents years of collecting unique pottery -- from friends, aspiring artists and well known ceramists. The artistic friendships, shared histories and local legacies make an intriguing show and represent decades of collecting by the Vermont born, musically immersed Lawrence. He lived in San Francisco, studied at Boston University's  School of Fine Arts and has many U.S. connections as well as a legacy of Canadian associations.

The nature inspired work of Emily Carr pays homage to days
 of long ago and the people who lived and worked in Alaska.

 ANOTHER OF the eye-catching exhibits features the work of well known Canadian artist Emily Carr.  Her nature images -- sometimes haunting, always provocative -- and she drew many of her ideas from  the monumental art and villages of the First Nations and the landscapes of British Columbia. The show attracted a large group of college art students the afternoon we visited. Most were studying the paintings intently, referring to Carr's extensive journals about art, nature and humanity.  She was a shrewd observer both in print and on canvas.

                                      Cookie tries watercolor in the gallery's large hands-on studio.

                 

Colorful sculpture inspired by native imagery caught
the eye of Bruce Keller. It is one of many intriguing pieces.

                                         Click here for info & tickets

Brooklyn Rider closed the season at Tippet Rise Art Center near Fishtail, Montana. Here, they
perform an encore concert in the center's library, after a formal concert in the Olivier Barn. 

UP NEXT: Our new website will debut soon, and we're excited.  Meanwhile, please be patient with us during this complicated transition and the transferring of 13 years of stories and thousands of photos.  It has been daunting for us and we ask your indulgence. Next week, we feature another world class venue, Montana's own Tippet Rise Art Center, which is gaining international attention for its unique combining of art, music and nature. The Center has added a few October concerts and is extending its touring options. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on 

 

 

Alaska's Native Heritage Center offers eye opening look at colorful indigenous life

The settting for Alaska's Native Heritage Center is serene and beautiful, showing how
indigenous people lived, worked, played games, hunted, fished and survived in harsh climates.   

ALASKA HERITAGE CENTER CONNECTS VISITORS WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

WE HAVE visited Alaska many times, but never have we felt so awed and fascinated by the culture as we were this most recent trip.

That's because we spent an eye-opening day at the fabulous Alaska Native Heritage Center near Anchorage.

Games continue to be part of native culture, as demonstrated each day in
a welcoming auditorium, where lectures and dances are also held.

WHAT A SPLENDID place. It gave us a unique, memorable and moving look at Alaskan native life in a format we'd never experienced.

Its focus is largely devoted to explaining the rich culture of indigenous people. We entered a large hall and gallery space to be directed to a large, open auditorium.

Intricate beadwork adorns these
moccasins, as dancers perform.
There we watched young people prepare to dance and play games. It was a live performance -- fascinating and beautifully executed.

We spent a lovely day, listening to stories, meeting carvers, and asking\artists questions about their crafts. The setting is so small and intimate that visitors sometimes feel the urge to join in the dancing or learn a game. A couple sitting near us took to the stage to dance.

This young man described how his ancestors
survived in winter, demonstrating skis and
hunting equipment. Furs were tanned and
used for clothing and shelter. 

AS MUSEUM and culture buffs, we have been to many facilities, admiring painting, pottery, crafts and handiwork. We were in for a treat here, with an array of buildings holding meticulous work: intricate moose hide boots, beautifully woven birch bark baskets, seal hide tunics, detailed jewelry.

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce
Keller are framed by whale bones
during a hike around the large facility.

WE STROLLED a half-mile loop to enter and admire life-sized traditional native dwellings to see the richness and diversity of Alaska's native cultures. One of the most interesting buildings was a southeast Alaska longhouse—large wooden constructions with no windows and only a smoke hole at the top. Our guide said they generally housed several families. Inside, we admired four beautifully carved posts that each represent a different culture. Each post is carved and painted with themes showing respect for the individual, family, the land and sea. All of these are revered by the culture.

Flowers surround many of the buildings one enters on a
hike around the grounds, and the outdoor cafe area
is an eye-popping extravaganza of blooms.

Much of Alaskan life of long ago revolved around the seasons and nature. We discovered this theme is still part of Alaskan life. Plants and trees are respected and it was wonderful to see that love carried over and expressed in the visual arts as well as in the casual lectures at each structure. The pride and precision we encountered in the docents' commentaries on our hike was equal to the honorable way the gamesmen and dancers performed. All very moving experience for us.

The Anchorage Trolley is a wonderful way to see the city.
Our Hilton Anchorage hotel was just a block away and
offered a free shuttle to the Alaska Native  Heritage Center.

THE CENTER is launching a $25 million fund-raising campaign to expand its facilities and reach.  We bought lovely souvenirs created by Alaska Native Artists at Ch'k'iqadi Gallery and had a tasty bite for lunch -- delicious sandwiches and pastry -- at D’eshchin Café.

More information: alaska.org/detail/alaska-native-heritage-center

anchoragetrolley.com/

Vancouver Art Gallery is one of Canada's finest museums,
housing an impressive collection of regional artists' work.
It is one of the city's many artfully repurposed buildings.

UP NEXT: We leave Anchorage with its wonderful trolley, its wilderness setting, its fabulous heritage center and more, and head south to Vancouver for a two-part series on this exciting city.  First, we visit Vancouver Art Gallery, known for its works by regional artists and its hands on involvement of visitors.  The city's Museum of Anthropology houses preeminent First Nations collections. And Big Bus Vancouver takes visitors around the city, and through its neighborhoods and beautiful Stanley Park, larger than Central Park of New York.  Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts. 

Alaska Railroad features close-up views of nature's magnificence

A journey on Alaska Railroad offers ringside seats to striking landscape and a pleasant experience
in comfortable seats, with dining options from full meals to snacks among ever changing views.  

 

RIDING THE RAILS ALASKA STYLE MEANS COMFORT AS WELL AS BEAUTY

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

Views from your coach are spectacular
because Alaska Railroad cars hug the scenery.

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

PICTURE YOURSELF relaxing in a comfy train car, beverage of choice in hand, watching the world's most spectacular scenery glide by.

You've got a front-row sea to nature's wonders with a spectacular adventure on Alaska Railroad.

The popular rail offers a variety of day trip adventures to some of the state's iconic sights -- from snow-capped mountains to picturesque villages and the ever changing landscape of the sea.

Conductor Wanda Robinson has been with the
company 30 years. Here she greets "Keller and Cookie."

WE BEGAN our adventure in Anchorage, after a relaxing week exploring this lively corner of the state.  Our destination was Seward, 114 miles or about 4.5 leisurely train hours away.  

A PEACEFUL yet exciting ride is guaranteed from Anchorage and many other cities because the train routes assure passengers are surrounded by inspiring scenery at every turn. Cheerful attendants welcome  passengers and make sure they are comfortable. They offer complimentary literature on the colorful history of the railroad. Announcements are made to remind where one may enjoy a leisurely meal or grab a light snack during the trip.

Train passengers boarding in Anchorage have breakfast on the
train, arriving in Seward after a lovely trip in time for lunch. 

A VARIETY of routes offer enticing options to choose from. National Geographic Traveler ranked our route among the Top Ten Train Rides in North America. Routes feature wildlife and quaint, historic towns, so there are plenty of options. We arose early to board our train in Anchorage and were off by 6:45 a.m. to wind along beautiful Turnagain Arm.  We traveled past snowy peaks of Chugach Range as the sea churned below, then emerged into verdant wilderness. The variety of landscape was striking. We arrived late morning in Seward, in time for lunch, checked our bags at the hotel and were off to explore a sea life center. 

Near the Anchorage train station, a young
 fisherman shows off his morning catch
 in Anchorage, caught from a city bridge.

THE OPERATION has depots in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Girdwood, Portage, Seward, Talkeetna, Wasilla and Whittier. First, find the location that most interests you and go from there. Many of the journeys are designed for cruise travelers because savvy sea lovers often complement their cruise with a rail trip as we did before boarding our ship for an Inside Passage trip to Vancouver.

It's a marvelous state -- best savored when someone else is doing the driving. Alaska by rail is tops!

 

Watching the tracks from the caboose
is a pleasant option as passengers are
free to explore around the cars.

 More on train travel in Alaska, click here

AlaskaRailroad.com; 800 544-0552; 907 265-2494

The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers live performance,
and a walk through history with indigenous homes and art. 

UP NEXT: Alaska offers colorful history in a variety of cities and towns, with something for everyone -- from the Northern Lights to trolley tours, salmon lore, fascinating cultural museums detailing life among the indigenous people. If you're in Anchorage, here's a "don't miss." A visit to Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a treasure trove of folklore, crafts and history, plus live performances of traditional dance and games. You'll likely see salmon and bears in your Alaska travels and you may meet a sled dog and hear about the famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race. Meanwhile, explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more. Please share the links of stories that interest you: www.whereiscookie.com

 

 

Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents lively bard works and more

The curtain is about to go up, for an innovative spin on "The Importance of Being Earnest."
The Oscar Wilde classic is set in the Malay Peninsula, with sharp direction and a crack cast.  

FESTIVAL'S 90th SEASON IS INVENTIVE  MIX OF THOUGHT PROVOKING WORKS 

KUDOS FOR ACTORS, DIRECTORS, SETS, COSTUMES, LIGHTING AND A DARING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR  

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

AKA "The Carpe Diem Kids"

thanks to OSF and Abbey Theatre for photos

Tim Bond is OSF's seventh artistic director, a
creative and thoughtful man who champions
the original. He guides a gifted company
in the festival's remarkable 90th season. 

WHEN ANGUS Bowmer dreamed of a festival to honor theater and the works of William Shakespeare, the clever Scotsman had only a shoe string budget. But his ideas were larger than life.

The Allen Elizabethan Theatre grounds post-performance.
The crowds are gone; energy, enthusiasm, appreciation remain.

Ninety years later, voila: the Tony winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Located in southern Oregon in the mid-sized town of Ashland, "The Festival,'' as locals call it, draws its company and audiences from across the United States. Its reach extends into Europe, Canada and beyond.  We sat next to a couple from Mexico City at one performance. The festival's $37 million budget is a far cry from proceeds of boxing matches which funded the festival early years.

Actors Herbert Siguenza and Raul Cardona create
magic in a modern, moving spin on Cervantes'
"Don Quixote." The work is "Quixote Nuevo"
by playwright Octavio Solis, directed with
passion and imagination by Lisa Portes. 

WE ARE regulars at this magnificent three-theater creation. (Four venues if one counts the outdoor "Green Room" with pre-show entertainment from dance to jazz and play cuttings.) We've endowed seats, taken back stage tours, enjoyed lectures, rose from our seats in countless standing ovations, and spread the word internationally with our musings and photos. Since childhood, I've missed only two years at this gem. We've seen the festival through highs and lows: a well deserved Tony Award for best regional theater, budget cuts, staffing shake-ups, COVID woes and seven artistic directors.

Kate Wisniewski plays the title role in "Julius Caesar,"
OSF's electrifying all-female production of the classic.
It puts a contemporary spin on the 1599 work which
featured all males, as was the tradition of the times.  

We've applauded productions sunshine and rain, smog and forest fire smoke. We've shed layers in sweltering heat at the venerable Black Swan (now used for costumes, rehearsals and meetings). We've bundled up in the outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre where one chilly long ago autumn, we watched in rain as "Macbeth" actors entered in garbage bags to protect their Elizabethan costumes from the fierce storm.  As rain ceased, actors returned to the stage, sans garbage bags. It was a magical moist evening.

THIS YEAR'S docket is the best we've seen in a decade:  varied, lively, brilliantly acted, artfully staged perceptively directed. Sets, costumes and lighting equal any we've seen on Broadway or London's West End. Such success starts at the top, so festival artistic director Tim Bond and his key players deserve enthusiastic kudos. The 2026 season looks fabulous, too, with OSF's trademark spanning of centuries, genres and voices -- from "The Taming of the Shrew" to "A Raisin in the Sun," the Tony winning "Come From Away," plus riveting new work and fresh adaptations. 

"Come From Away" will perform at OSF in the 2026
 season, a heartwarming story of a small town in Newfoundland
 which welcomed stranded passengers in after the 9/11 attacks. 

Bond has a genius for spicing his seasons with works both timely and compelling. He doesn't slight purists, but he stretches, too, inviting audiences to consider new, fresh points of view. This season's highlights: "Quixote Nuevo," a wonderful spin on Cervantes' "Don Quixote"; a spot-on production of Oscar Wilde's a flawless "The Importance of Being Earnest" and a captivating all-female "Julius Caesar." An enthralling "Shane" features the gifted Chris Butler in a contemporary interpretation of the beloved 1953 film. One of my favorite Sondheim musicals, "Into the Woods," is stunning. "As You Like It" is delightfully fast paced, joyous and funny. There's not a clunker in the docket which runs through Oct. 25. 

Colorful costumes set the tone for a splashy,
fast-paced "As You Like It" in Thomas Theatre.

EACH OF TODAY'S trio of OSF theaters resides in a special corner of my heart.  I came of age watching Shakespeare in the Elizabethan. I endowed three seats in the beloved Bowmer. I knew the gentle spirit after whom the Thomas Theatre is named. It replaced the smaller Black Swan, long a family favorite, and carries on the same spirit of pioneering daring in its presentations. Witness a fabulous "As You Like It" with its gender bending plot and costumes to knock your socks off. 

Bruce Keller & Christene "Cookie" 
Meyers outside a converted Baptist
Church, for 40 years the popular
Oregon Cabaret Theatre venue.

DON'T MISS another first-rate theatrical endeavor in Ashland.  Oregon Cabaret Theatre is just across the street from OSF in an artfully converted church. Now in its 40th season, it offers a lively range of works. We've seen polished mysteries, comedy and classic musicals, including "Sweeney Todd," and "Kinky Boots." We recommend it for its cozy venue (we like the balcony tables), delicious appetizers, tasty brunches and unique dinner offerings, offered with jazzy, theater inspired cocktails.

 It's a pleasing, energetic complement to OSF. 

Ashland offers dozens of restaurant and lodging options for your visit. Our favorite places to stay -- enjoyed for decades -- are the elegant Ashland Springs Hotel, smack in town center, steps from the theaters, and Ashland Hills, in a wooded area with a pool, blackberry bushes and occasional deer.  It's a convenient ride away.

Artful Ashland Springs Hotel stands graceful sentinel 
in downtown Ashland, steps from the world famous festival. 

www.osfashland.org or 800 219-8161
www.AshlandSpringsHotel.com or 541-488-1700; 885 795-4545

www.AshlandHillsHotel.com 541 482-8310 

www.oregoncabaret.com 541 488-2902  

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers are escorted on board by gracious
 conductor Wanda Robinson of the gorgeous Anchorage-Seward route.

UP NEXT: See Alaska's wonders by rail. Picture yourself in a comfy train car, watching the wonders of Alaska unfold outside. We recently stepped aboard a lovely train to take us from Anchorage to Seward. The wonders of Alaska were right out the window as we traveled several hours past gorgeous alpine scenery and the sea. Established in 1903 and completed in 1923, the Alaska Railroad is an iconic part of any Alaskan adventure. This historic route was the only land connector of Anchorage to Fairbanks until 1971. We'll take readers along for a ringside view of spectacular Alaskan landscape. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, famiy and more. Please share the links at: www.whereiscookie.com