Photo by Chris Amat.
A rare, one-day-only chance to visit a hidden gem of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity's campus.
Tucked into a forested, secluded part of Banff Centre’s campus are nine Leighton Artist Studios, creative spaces that have hosted accomplished Canadian artists, including Joni Mitchell, Yann Martel, Daniel MacIvor, k.d. lang, Lawrence Hill, and Ken Lum.
During this rare access to an otherwise private part of campus, learn about Canada's rich artistic history and witness its vibrant present.
In 1983, Banff Centre invited leading Canadian architects to design dedicated studios for creative work: spaces that remove distractions, foster concentration, and provide the physical conditions to create freely. The eight selected architects each designed a unique structure nestled in the stunning Banff Centre landscape. Over time, the studios have expanded. Two decades later, the Painter House was introduced to support collaborative residencies.
The studios officially opened in 1985. Since then, more than 1,000 artists from around the world have used them to create new work—novels, operas, exhibitions, screenplays, choreography, sound art, and more.
Guests are also invited to enjoy refreshments on the Painter House Studio deck.