A group of 14 Banff businesses and organizations joined forces recently to create a new program that encourages visitors, and residents, to explore Banff’s vibrant cultural side. The official launch of Banff Culture Walk will take place Saturday, September 27 at The Banff Centre’s Walter Phillips Gallery starting at 12 noon. Celebrations will continue throughout the day at participating venues in town with art and Native dance demonstrations, guided museum tours, and a music concert.

Banff Culture Walk is a year-round program that focuses primarily on visual art, culture, and heritage. Program organizers – representatives from the Centre, the Town of Banff, and Banff’s participating art galleries and museums – have created a trail guide that points out some of Banff’s most interesting cultural destinations. The guide will be distributed through various outlets.

"The goal of Banff Culture Walk is to promote the dissemination, awareness, and enjoyment of cultural activity in Banff," says Anthony Kiendl, director of Visual Arts and Walter Phillips Gallery at the Centre. "What brought us together was a desire to grow Banff’s reputation as a cultural destination, and to creative production relations among Banff’s cultural organizations, the community, and visitors. We are proud to be a partner with this initiative."

The Saturday launch is a public event featuring opening remarks, refreshments, and tours of the Walter Phillips Gallery’s current exhibition, Reading History Backwards. Other highlights include Janet Cardiff’s Forest Walk, and an exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal art. As well, artist David Miller will lead a photogram workshop where participants will create their own work of art. Participants are asked to bring small, slightly translucent items with interesting shapes such as leaves, glass, or jewelry to create their own unique composition.

Following this workshop, everyone is invited to make their way to the art, cultural, and heritage venues participating in this year’s Banff Culture Walk. Venues are open regular hours, but many have special events taking place at specific times. In addition to The Banff Centre, participants include: The Whyte Museum, Canada House Gallery, The Quest, Cave and Basin National Historic Site, Buffalo Nations Museum, Canada Place, Banff Park Museum National Historic Site, Auras Studio Gallery, About Canada, Harmon’s Photograph’s, The Banff Springs Hotel, and the Banff Public Library.

For more information about the Banff Culture Walk kick off at The Banff Centre call 762-6377.