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By Anne Ewen, Curator of Art & Heritage Back to The Cairn Philip Kanwischer, Unity, 2014, archival pigment print, 20” x 20”, collection of the artist Part of Exposure, Alberta's Photography Festival, the exhibition Philip Kanwischer - Inhospitably Ours is now open in the Whyte Museum's Main Gallery. The exhibition will run until April 7, 2019. Philip Kanwischer’s photomontages consider nuances of conservation and preservation while examining the ethical flux of human interaction with the wild. His photographs thrive under the assumptions formed by the cursory glance, creating visually implausible scenarios in nature. Fundamental questions are foregrounded about the morality of animals, environmental principles and habitat loss. Kanwischer’s images dramatize human’s relationship with wildlife while at the same time challenge our expectations and perspectives on wildlife photography as a medium. Philip Kanwischer, Clutch, 2017, Archival Pigment Print, 40" x 40". On Loan from Constantinos Costoulas. Kanwischer spends days in the wild, seeking out remote locations in Canada and abroad to enact respectful documentation and observation of animal encounters. Patience, stillness and acute awareness are key to his process gathering visual material for his surreal compositions. Kanwischer believes that art cannot be rushed, just as nature cannot be rushed or controlled. Philip Kanwischer graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Design degree and distinction in photography in 2015. He is currently working on his master’s degree in the Fine Arts program at NSCAD University, Halifax. On February 3, during the Whyte Museum's Featured Photographer's Tour, Philip Kanwisher provided insight into the purpose and meaning of his photographic images. Philip Kanwisher, Reticent, 2017, archival pigment print, collection of the artist. Back to The Cairn

A Brief Look at the Dan and Mary McCowan fonds By Lindsay Stokalko, Reference Archivist/Librarian Back to The Cairn Held within the Archives and Library holdings at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies are an endless array of subjects to write about. Over the past several days I’ve been working on rehousing some black and white negatives which has led me down numerous rabbit holes of interesting topics – the first being enacting measures to protect and prevent damage and deterioration of archival materials through proper storage, and careful handling. Figure 1 – Box of negatives requiring rehousing – the Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/NA) To ensure that archival materials such as these negatives will be preserved for future generations, rehousing them into acid free folders and archival standards boxes will ensure their life will be extended. To begin this project my first steps were to remove the negatives from the original envelopes, whose paper make up, adhesives and ink react over time with the emulsion on negatives, causing long-term preservation issues. These negatives were assigned individual item numbers, and the information written or typed on the original envelope was transferred to the new acid free envelope. There are thousands of dated photographic negatives of “Birds” (V408/NA2) taken in Western Canada, as well as other negatives of wildlife including “Goats” (V408/NA10) and “Insects” (V408/NA11), as well as “Trees” (V408/NA19) and “Weather” (V408/NA18) – all requiring rehousing and item numbers. Figure 2 (left) – Transferring negatives and associated information from original envelopes to acid-free envelopes and assigning individual item numbers to aid in access and digitization, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/NA2/47/1). Figure 3 (right) – Original envelope for “10-121 – Nighthawk on Roadway – Sept 2, 1924”, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/NA2/49/1) Figure 4 – Negative in envelope for “10-121 – Nighthawk on Roadway – Sept 2, 1924”, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/NA2/49/1) Figure 5 - Positive scan of “10-121 – Nighthawk on Roadway – Sept 2, 1924”, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/NA2/49/1). These negatives are a part of the Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/M55), which date from the early 1910s to the 1940s. Dan McCowan was an avid naturalist and writer who travelled widely with Mary (Fee) McCowan – a teacher, lecturing on the natural environment. He later worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway promoting the scenic beauty of the mountains and was made a Fellow of the Royal Zoological Society in 1936, and following this, wrote and hosted talks on CBC on the topic of natural history. He wrote six books (all of which we hold copies of in the library) and numerous articles and periodicals. You can search Dan and Mary McCowan in the Archives and Library holdings where you can also find descriptions of interesting archival materials such as: • Notebook belonging to Dan McCowan filled with fascinating stories and observations • Copies of Mary McCowan’s diary which date from 1926 to 1957 • Photographs of Banff residents such as the twice aforementioned Leonard Leacock Figure 6 – Records book with inscription “This book containing notes on natural history etc. is the property of Dan McCowan, Banff” – pages 30 and 31 dated from March and April 1924, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (M55/4) Figure 7 – Page from Mary McCowan’s diary – dated August 30, 1938, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (M55/32) Figure 8 - 113 Len Leacock, guide, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Dan and Mary McCowan fonds (V408/I/C/i/NA14/113) The Archives & Library also holds the Leonard Leacock fonds (M372 / S24 / V353), but that’s another rabbit hole for another time. Check out this great post by the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives from some excellent tips on how to best use reference services at archival institutions, then come in to explore your own research rabbit holes at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies Archives & Library – appointments are preferred and recommended. You can reach us at archives@whyte.org . Figure 9 – [Baby rabbits], 1895, 1910, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Mary Schäffer fonds (V527/II/A/ps1-415). Back to The Cairn

By Kayla Cazes, Digital Content Coordinator Back to The Cairn Dive deep and immerse yourself in the stories, images and objects found at the Whyte Museum. We strive to bring forward the intrigue found within our collections. Through our digital platforms we share the unique stories of our mountain home—and what makes Banff and the Canadian Rockies special. We invite you to follow us to be a part of the journey! Click any of the blue links below to read more. Blog: Peaks and People Join us on our blog to get the inside scoop on local history and our collections. Recent articles include: The Path to Plein Air Painting: A Peek at Pigments Explore the origins, deadliness and evolution of arts most common colours. This post is a part of an ongoing series which delves into the origins of the pigments, mediums and tools that allowed for Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte to eventually become artists. Box, 1880-1939, Metal; Wood, 104.39.1003 The Beach House Hotel: Lake Minnewanka’s First Hotel Delve into the unique history of Lake Minnewanka’s hotel. Examine its origins, raving successes and ultimate demise. [Beach House, Lake Minnewanka], ca. 1890, A. B. Thom (Winnipeg, MB), Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Brett Family fonds (V83/PA/7/231). Artifact Feature: Pony Premno No. 6 Camera Discover the unique history of a camera that used to belong to Mary Schäffer Warren, who is well-known for her adventures in the Canadian Rockies. Camera, 1810-1910, Wood; Skin; Metal; Glass, 104.41.0007 Instagram: @whytemuseum Follow us on Instagram to see paintings, artifacts, archival images and more! Facebook: @WhyteMuseum Join an event, find interesting highlights from the Museum and share with your friends and family! All of our Whyte Museum events, like the Jon Whyte Spelling Bee, are posted on our Facebook page. Twitter: @whytemuseum Keep up-to-date with all the latest events, community information and exclusive features! Back to The Cairn

By Pam Marks, Marketing & Communications Specialist Offering a fantastic way to experience Banff National Park’s unique arts, culture and heritage traditions, the Banff Gallery Hop is now on! The mission of this series of events is, "Banff Gallery Hop is a monthly initiative dedicated to bringing together galleries, museums, and arts related businesses to create an enhanced visitor experience which fosters understanding, appreciation and promotion of arts, culture and heritage in Banff." Banff Gallery Hop events takes place one Saturday a month, throughout the year from 2 to 6 p.m., with slight variation per venue. In order of appearance above, participating venues include the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Walter Phillips Gallery, Carter-Ryan Gallery, Buffalo Nations Museum, Historic Luxton Home, Canada House Gallery, Willock & Sax Gallery and Mountain Galleries. During this month's Gallery Hop, on Saturday, February 16, the Whyte Museum will present Poetry in the Gallery, featuring Banff's Poet Laureate, Steven Ross Smith. During two informal 30 minute presentations at 3 and 4 p.m., Steven will read a few poems, chat about his multi-faceted writing career and poetry's place in the world today, and field questions about writing. $7 Museum Admission includes presentation. Members, Locals, Students and Children under 12 are FREE. Click Banff Gallery Hop for details on Gallery Hop venues and the Gallery Hop bus. And, be sure to visit the Hop on Facebook and Instagram.

Back to The Cairn In late December 2018, Brett Oland tendered his resignation as CEO of the Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation. After seven years of dedicated service to the Foundation, Brett has chosen to take on a new role with the Bow Valley Credit Union, as Interim CEO. “I feel that the past seven years have been very good to me and I wish each and every one of you all the best personally and collectively as the Whyte going forward,” said Brett. "I hope, from the outside, I can celebrate the Whyte’s successes for many years to come.” The Board and staff of the Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies thank Brett for his outstanding contribution to the organization and wish him great success in his new role. In the meantime, the board of directors has appointed board member Rod Green as our interim CEO. Rod just joined our board last June, but his depth of experience in the southern Alberta art world is incomparable. He owned and managed the very successful Masters Gallery in Calgary for more than 30 years, and was a member of the board of the Glenbow Museum for close to 20 years. Back to The Cairn

By Anne Ewen, Curator of Art & Heritage Back to The Cairn Laura Millard, Crossing, 2017, water-based inks on recyclable polymer fabric, LEDs, aluminum frame with fabric light box, 6'x 9', courtesy of the artist. Part of Exposure, Alberta's Photography Festival, the exhibition Laura Millard: Crossing opens Saturday, February 2 at the Whyte Museum and will run until April 7, 2019. Laura Millard creates large drawings in the landscape using a snowmobile on frozen lakes in northern Ontario. The tracks and patterns are often animated with a leaf blower and a snow thrower to create veils of glistening crystals. Photographed from above by a drone, the images are then printed on rag paper or fabric. In her studio, Millard enhances her paper images with graphite and watercolour, while the fabric images are printed with water-based ink to complete these strikingly unexpected images. The fabric images are mounted onto recyclable aluminum frames and backlit with LED lighting. With the lake the primary drawing surface, shifting winter temperatures allow earlier drawing traces to slightly sink. As a fresh layer of ice and snow form on top, a new set of tracks are imprinted, creating depth and unity to the otherwise singular images. Animals randomly and unwittingly contribute contrasting markings to Millard’s purposefully sledded drawings. Deer travel across the drawing spaces unaware of any imposition to their landscape or to the artist’s creative endeavours. Their linear trek across Millard’s snow-laden picture surface coexists with her circular marks in agreeable happenstance. Laura Millard, Lac des Arcs (version 2), 2017, oil on colour photograph mounted on dibond, 40" x 60", courtesy of the artist Yet, for this environmentally-conscious artist, her chosen artistic tools are curious. They are explicitly loud and fumy, intrusive and whining; juxtaposing greatly with the serenity and freshness of the wintry landscape. In an unvarnished sense, her deliberate selection of irritating machinery summons needed responses to the blatant mismanagement and plundering of our landscapes and natural resources. Millard’s images continue to bring together contradictory ways in which we see, alter and represent the landscape while questioning the traces our actions leave behind. Laura Millard’s exhibition Crossing is supported by the Ontario Arts Council. Supported from its inception in 2004 by the Whyte Museum, Exposure, Alberta's Photography Festival, has grown to include numerous galleries, institutions, various levels of photographic professionals and audiences. The festival's mission is "to generate participation in photographic image making and to engage practitioners, photo professionals, and audiences in dialogue about the medium, its past, present and future." In 2019, the Whyte Museum's Exposure exhibitions include Toronto-based photographer Laura Millard's Crossing; NSCAD University master’s student Philip Kanwischer's Inhospitably Ours; selections from the Whyte Museum's collection, Thirst for Wilderness, and a guest-curated exhibit of work by Ron Brown, A Few of My Favourites: Tom Willock and Susan Sax. See Exhibitions for more details. The Whyte Museum's photographic exhibitions are supported by The John & Barbara Poole Family Funds at the Edmonton Community Foundation. Back to The Cairn

By Kate Skelton, Archival Assistant Back to The Cairn A young Morant with camera gear, ca. 1927, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Nicholas Morant fonds (V500/III/A/E/PD-1/15/1) Since September of this year, I have been filling the role of Archival Assistant at the Whyte Museum as part of a Young Canada Works program for recent graduates. Specifically, I have been working with part of a large donation made to the Whyte Museum in 2006 which includes books, personal letters, sound recordings and over 1,000 photographs which belonged to Nicholas Morant. Nicholas Morant (1910-1999) was a well-known photographer for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, whose over five-decades-long career took him across the country in an effort to capture scenes, people and landscapes from every part of Canada. In January, I will begin working on a new digital exhibit, featuring some of Nicholas Morant’s original photography and further detailing his incredible life story. Older Nicholas Morant with snowshoes and camera gear [ca. 1975 – ca. 1980], Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Nicholas Morant fonds (V500/I/C1/78/PA-39) Recently, I was lucky enough to come across an early album of Nicholas Morant’s from 1925-1926, when he was a young teenager. The album features landscapes and natural scenes from areas close to Morant’s hometown of Kamloops, B.C., as well as pictures he took of himself and his friends during a 1925 camping trip. The photographs in this album serve as great examples of Morant’s early experimentation with different camera angles and perspectives, tricks which would later help to define his career. These photos share a glimpse of what life was like growing up in rural Canada nearly 100 years ago. A digital copy of the full album, courtesy of the Whyte Museum Archives, can be accessed below. Click the image to view the album. Nicholas Morant photo album, 1925 – 1926, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Nicholas Morant fonds (V500/III/A/E/PD-4) Other content from Nicholas Morant’s collection can be accessed in person in the Archives and Library at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, or by searching the Archives and Library records through the website. The upcoming Nicholas Morant digital exhibit will be made available through the Whyte Museum website in March 2019 – stay tuned! Back to The Cairn

By Monte Greenshields, Manager of Development Back to The Cairn Image: Fanny Wedro (second from left) with friends at the Whyte Museum's Cascade Murals Unveiled event in October 2015. Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Whyte Museum donor Fanny Wedro at her home in Calgary. Fanny and her late husband Leo, are long-time supporters of the Whyte. Beginning in the 70s they owned the Cascade Hotel, now part of the Mount Royal Hotel. When the Cascade required renovations, eight hand-painted murals were removed and donated to the Whyte Museum. They have been in the Museum’s care ever since. Here is our conversation: Fanny, please tell me what brought you and Leo to Banff? We were living in Edmonton and somehow Leo heard the hotel was for sale. He contacted the owner [Sam Schultz] for more information and eventually we bought the hotel in 1972 from Sam—on a handshake if you can believe it! For two years, I would take my daughter and every weekend we would drive to Banff to be with Leo. First we used to stay at the Mile High and then we rented a home in Whiskey Creek before eventually buying a home in Valleyview. Banff was very good to us financially and we made many life-long friends there—it was family. It wasn’t until the year 2000 when we had to move to Calgary for Leo’s health reasons. Wadym Dobrolige (1913-1973), Skaters, 1955, oil, 68 x 138 cm, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Gift of Leo Wedro, Calgary, 1990, DoW.02.03. Banff certainly is a wonderful place to raise a family. Outside of working at the hotel what other activities were you involved in? For many years I was a member of the Soroptimist club and I was on the 'Ways and Means' committee (fundraising) we raised lots of money and we did a lot of good work. Wonderful! That is a perfect segue into my next question – can you tell me your feelings or thoughts about giving to charity and why it is important to you? I was born in the old country, my mother used to say when someone gives you a finger, you stretch them out a hand. Even though I am a Holocaust survivor, I came up from ashes, I am the only person left of my family—you must try to help others. I remember Mrs. Whyte [Catharine]—she was a wonderful lady, she used to look after people, the homeless and such. As I said, Banff was very good to us. So every year for Banff it is the Museum and the hospital. I cannot give thousands to everyone because there are so many people who need help, my God in Calgary there are so many, and of course I am a supporter of the Wedro Jewish Holocaust Foundation as well. Lastly, can you tell us about your association with the Museum and why museums are important to you? I love museums, what can I say? They are more than memory—it’s alive, it’s forever, it talks! Donations are always gratefully accepted by the Whyte Museum. If you like, support the Museum and our programming with an Online Donation. Back to The Cairn

In October 2018, Brian Patton was interviewed by Chic Scott. Brian Patton came to Banff in 1967 from the United States. He immediately fell in love with this mountain community and had a career as guidebook author, newspaper editor and museum archivist. He is best known for The Canadian Rockies Trail Guide which he co-authored in 1971 with Bart Robinson. #brianpatton #oralhistory #heritage #Banff Back to The Cairn Click to View

In November 2018, Jim Davies sat down with Chic Scott as part of the Whyte Museum's popular Fireside Chat series. Jim Davies was born and grew up in Banff. A fine skier in his youth, Jim went on to have a legendary career as a helicopter pilot, pioneering the fields of helicopter skiing and mountain rescue. #jimdavies #oralhistory #heritage #Banff Back to The Cairn Click to View

By Nathalie Delbecq, Manager Community Engagement Back to The Cairn Over the years of living in the Rockies, many of us can recall pouring over guidebooks and Gem Trek maps either discussing with friends or simply scheming and dreaming on our own. Planning day hikes, backpacking trips and light ski tours. Whether it was Brian Patton and Bart Robinson’s Canadian Rockies Trail Guide or Graeme Pole’s Classic Hikes in the Canadian Rockies, Alan Kane’s Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies or Chic Scott’s Ski Trails in the Canadian Rockies it was these authors (and many others) that lead us to brilliant lakes, exciting mountaintops and rejuvenating forests. We are grateful for these explorers and writers, who covered kilometre after kilometre, meticulously recording and measuring landscape details as they went. They then compiled their experiences into words, photographs, illustrations and maps. We may not have known such places existed or let alone have had the courage to venture out without first consulting these books. Much of our connection to this landscape began with these authors. They not only offered us a lay of the land but they gave us a connection to place. A desire to not only take in the scent of subalpine fir or feel the wind on the pass but also to learn and appreciate the stories of those that came before us. Many of us who were once new to the Bow Valley have re-read, consulted and carried these books in our packs. It is true the internet provides many images, videos and current reports but it does not compare to the knowledge, experience and first discovery offered by these authors. I still consult the guidebooks and invite new ‘explorers’ of the Rockies to read them too. Before your next adventure come down to the Whyte, where you can find a great selection of guidebooks in the Whyte Museum Shop or consult a guidebook contained in the Archives and Library. Search the Library & Special Collections online by title or by author, or contact the Archives to request a particular title. We cannot say this enough, thank you for inspiring and guiding us through the Rockies! Back to The Cairn

By Amie Lalonde, Digital Imaging Technician Back to The Cairn From November 26 to November 30, 2018, the Archives and Library was closed for re-organization. Since opening in 1968, the Archives and Library has been steadily acquiring new collections (fonds) in need of processing, arrangement and proper storage. As new accessions (donated materials) come into the Archives and Library and material is added to the collections, the shelf space allotted to certain collections no longer fits all of the materials and items need to be moved to accommodate them. This involves rehousing materials, and shifting and re-shelving hundreds of boxes. Left: Materials in the Bruno Engler (v190) fonds. Right: Every inch of office space was used as we took things off the shelf to rearrange. Left: Materials on carts to be re-shelved. Right: Sticky notes to show a list of what is in a shelving bay. Re-housing these materials into new sturdier, acid-free boxes has enabled us to ensure their preservation for years to come. In addition to re-housing processed materials, our unprocessed accessions were also consolidated and placed into smaller boxes so that they can be catalogued and processed more easily. Left and Right: Now the shelves are neat and well organized, everything is labelled for easy access. The reorganization enabled us to take stock of our vast collection, ensure preservation, free up valuable shelf space for future acquisitions and results in easier access to facilitate research! Thanks to the Archives and Library and Photography departments for taking part! And a big thank you to everyone for your patience while we were closed! Back to The Cairn