By Ruth Lloyd
The opening night of ‘The Art of Forestry’ saw a record turnout of around 50 people on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Pope Mountain Arts Centre.
The show itself is a celebration of the local forest industry and features large paintings by Vanderhoof artist Annerose Georgeson in the main gallery as well as some paintings by Fort St. James artist Janna Burgart in the entry and lounge. There are also some historic additions, with photos and artefacts from the Ministry of Forests office in Fort St. James, and historic film footage from the Willick family archives (Newland Enterprises). The opening night even included some live local music by Banjo man Maxim Cossette.
The film was a big draw, with some long time Fort St. James residents enjoying reminiscing over images from the past as some of the footage dates back to the 1960s and includes images of Roy Willick himself and other figures from the past.
Newcomers to the area and those not working in forestry appreciated getting to see the forest industry in action, with footage of falling old growth trees, log booms on the lake and skidders, processors and other forestry equipment in action.
But the large format paintings by Georgeson resonated with those familiar with work in the forest industry as they convey a texture, light and feeling accurately invoking our working forests.
In her write up for the show, Georgeson expresses some of her motivation for the group of work on display:
“There is a tension between love for the environment and industry; I think it’s possible for them to co-exist. It’s an interesting area of tension to explore with art.
“I got several comments from people that logging makes them sad. I’ve thought a lot about this. In the Central Interior of B.C., logging is what we do. All of my family has worked in the forest industry. Logging puts food on all our tables.
I’ve done artwork about the forest for many years. I painted the many different changes that happen to the forest. I was inspired by the pine beetle epidemic that killed almost all of our pines in B.C. Logging also changes the forest, so I decided to do a painting about logging. My brother, a logging contractor, invited me to go along to work with him and so now for two years I’ve been painting the work of logging and logged scenery.
“It may seem strange, but I find beauty in the chaos of a cutblock.
“I know the trees will grow again. I don’t think logging is perfect, but it doesn’t make me sad.”
The show will be on display and open for viewing to the public Tuesdays-Thursdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 22. Paintings and prints are available for purchase and it is free to view the show.
The Pope Mountain Arts Centre is located at 675 Birch Street West in Fort St. James.
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