If skiing and snowboarding is Whistler’s lifeblood, the thing that keeps this town pumping, then our local arts scene could be called Whistler’s soul.
It’s a huge part of the fabric of our town, charting our course, reflecting our character, helping define our mountain lives. And it’s something that we, at Gibbons Whistler, feel very strongly about supporting and growing.
Several weeks ago we were part of the Whistler Centre for Sustainability’s social venture challenge in which we helped judge budding social entrepreneurs trying to make a difference in town, as well as a buck. That’s where we met Ski Heaven, an awesome new company with the concept of taking old ski gear and making it cool art and furniture.
It got us thinking.
It just so happened that DJ and Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn, who plays the beloved character Hodor in the HBO series, was set to play at Garfinkel’s during Cornucopia in an event called the ‘Rave of Thrones’.
What about a piece of art to celebrate this event and liven up the joint? What about a throne made of old skis?!
Just like that the Ski Throne was born. It’s fashioned after the Games of Thrones’ Iron Throne, with ski and snowboards instead of swords. And it’s even better in real life than it was in our imaginations. It will remain at Garf’s after the event.
Garf’s has been an arts hub within the Gibbons group of companies of late. It’s been host to several Art Throwdowns in an effort to get local artists out and showcasing their talent. It helps us too — helps us build the heart and soul of our business as well as making our places more beautiful and colourful and fun. We don’t want bars and clubs that are empty shells, four non-descript walls where people just come to party.
We want to share the story of Whistler.
With every piece of art hanging on our walls, there’s a story and as the story builds, the character builds. Pretty soon, the place becomes its own personality, a reflection of Whistler through the eyes and passions of its artists.
Is there any other way to truly understand a place than through its local artists?
The Rave of Thrones kicks off on Sunday Nov. 15 at Garf’s — a great finale to mark the end of another successful Cornucopia festival in Whistler. The Ski Throne, however, will take its place permanently at Garf’s.
