A Walk Down Rossland’s Main Street
September 16, 2016
As a former art history student, my eye is immediately attracted to visual peculiarities, aesthetics and landmarks. So when we packed up our lives and moved our dishes, toothbrushes and cats to a small town of less than 4,000 people from a city of over 2.5 million, I was immediately charmed by the personality of Rossland’s main street, Columbia Avenue. Even after a couple of months, I am appreciative of the unique verve of this community.
Within the mere three blocks of the town’s epicenter, small businesses, and civic services like the post office and library provide the backdrop for a visually stunning array of eye candy. It’s enough to remind you that the only traffic light in town that flashes red and bids you adieu as you descend on the 3B highway towards Trail is not the cliché single traffic light of a small town, but a beacon of culture for a community that appreciates and endorses fine art created by talent, local and from abroad.
Thanks to the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture, locals and tourists alike are treated to an outdoor gallery of history and homage. Your self-appointed tour guide, I am proud as a recent transplant to curate Rossland’s collection of outdoor aesthetics.
Starting on the west end of Columbia is the dynamic steel sculpture of a flock of geese which invites spectators to physically engage with the piece, bringing it to life by manually rotating the pedal to coax the geese to fly. Entitled “V-Formation” by Nelson, BC Artist Nathan Smith, it’s humbling to know we live in a region where talented artists are encouraged to spread their wings. When I first encountered this I felt like I was about five years old, captivated by the simple yet complex effect of the sculpture. You are not only encouraged but it’s necessary for you touch it in order to fully experience the artist’s intention. I’m not sure this is the sculpture’s permanent home so make you enjoy its multi-sensory experience while you can. And tell your kids they can and should touch it!
Situated between the Revolution Cycles and the Rossland Brewing Company, it’s a siren’s call for any brew loving mountain biker. The bicycle wheel sculpture measuring about 12–15 feet in diameter is a grand tribute to the sport and the people who love it. Seemingly a perfect sphere, it’s scale is daunting and yet its lightness is exemplified by the multitude of spindly spokes and frames working in concert and in memory of the hundreds of bikes whose parts constitute this spherical spectacle.
The pop-up Piano, installed in Harry Lefevre Square in 2015, is not only our family’s default rendezvous spot in town, but is part of a viral idea that has swept across North America. Located just outside of Ferraro’s grocery store, it was donated by Irene Krewski and painted by the local kids of Rossland’s Youth Action Network. Year’s of piano lessons as child tempted me to try my rendition of Turkey in the Straw, which I’m sure had children crying for blocks. Officially groovy.
Olaus Jeldness statue — generously donated by the Nelson & District Credit Union, this larger than life statue is poised with his enormous bronze skis and staff, holding vigil over Columbia Street 24/7. Credited with facilitating Canada’s first ski race in 1897 on Red Mountain, he made Rossland the cradle of ski racing, a culture that still thrives today on the same mountain where the historical race took place. Our son will continue the tradition as he participates in his first year as a Red Mountain Racer this 2016–17 season. This same mining and skiing pioneer is also responsible for ensuring that the annual Rossland Winter Carnival retained its place in Rossland’s portfolio of traditions , which he has successfully achieved as we newcomers anticipate this spectacular winter celebration while summer has not yet finished tenure. Probably the most heralded icon, Olaus graces the websites and tourist brochures to lure visitors to our groovy town. Go Olaus!
Entitled Acrobears, this welded steel and bronze by sculptor John McKinnon, again life sized, depicts two black bears, one balanced on the other in a perpetual, playful pose. This species is common to this area and can be found, in the flesh and fur, in and around the town with frequency. Installed in 2014 in front of the town’s post office, this sculpture always cheers me up and may well be one of my favourite landmarks and serves as an incentive to check our PO box more than once a week. John is a talent to be reckoned with, with a legacy of inspiring art in various mediums. A self-appointed student of the school of hard knocks from 1979 onwards, this Nelson based artist has my respect.
The Father Pat Monument was constructed in 1902, though it’s moved a couple of times over the years, it currently sits in front of the Nelson & District Credit Union. A granite and marble drinking fountain for dogs and horses, it stands 14 feet tall, honouring an Irish, Anglican minister, Henry Irwin who served the Rossland community from 1896–1899. I’m not sure where they got Pat from Henry, nonetheless, this monument commemorates his humanitarianism, including four inscriptions reflecting and honouring his selfless deeds. It doesn’t, however, reveal his decidedly hip approach to spreading the good word which allegedly included delivering sermons in the bars and sharing a drink with local miners. He was also known to use his boxing skills, honed at Oxford, as a form of communication. He may be a founding father of Rossland but it sounds like he’d fit in well in 2016.
Rusty the Horse — a tetanus posterpony, this gentle looking life-sized beast manages to look soft and inviting despite its jagged, rusted-riddled steel skeleton. Created in 2012, Rusty was an award winner at the 2014 Castlegar Sculpturewalk. Created by Cedar Mueller, a Canmore, AB based artist, repurposes scrap metal, transforming it from waste to wonder. She makes these transformations for other animals which I strongly suggest you check out at http://www.cedarmueller.com/. Hailing from Calgary, I have a soft spot for these animals having the good fortune to do some riding when I was young, and maintained a life long love of their majesty. Thanks to Rusty for making a cowgirl feel at home.
The Rossland Cenotaph, located in front of the public libraryl is yet another reminder of the rich tale of history this town has to tell and the remarkable citizens that also called Rossland home so many years ago. This war memorial commemorates the Rossland men who gave their lives in WWI, WWII and Korea. I am hoping that we’ll be able to participate in our first Remembrance Day event this year.
I hope this is enough to tempt those who haven’t seen these landmarks up close and personal to visit while here to ski, mountain bike, fish or road bike, and to remind the locals that we live in an extraordinary place.
Originally published at www.mommyclearest.com on September 16, 2016.
