Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – No Particular Topic Online Exhibit
Date: January 24 – February 21, 2021 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Due to the current health restrictions, The Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery’s No Particular Topic Exhibit will be held virtually this year. As always, there will be a wide range of artwork on display by various local artists. One of my photographs, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta – Your Adventures Await, will be on exhibit.
Your Adventures Await
No Particular Topic Exhibit
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
Crowsnest Pass attracts countless adventure seekers throughout the year. There are numerous recreational activities available here, regardless of your outdoor interests and pursuits.
While snowshoeing one sunny afternoon last winter, I came across a high vantage point, overlooking Crowsnest Mountain and the Seven Sisters. The view reminded me of some of the travel posters that were popular years ago. While processing the image on my computer, I applied various effects to the photo and added text, creating a modern version of a poster, advertising Crowsnest Pass to the World.
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – No Particular Topic Exhibit
Date: January 25 – February 23, 2020 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, January 25, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
The Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery will be holding its annual No Particular Topic Exhibit in late January. As usual, there will be a wide range of artwork on display by various local artists. One of my photographs, Bob Creek Limber Pine, will be on exhibit.
No Particular Topic Exhibit
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
The Whaleback region of southwest Alberta provides countless opportunities for landscape photography. This area is situated within the Bob Creek Wildland Provincial Park and adjacent Black Creek Heritage Rangeland, north of the Oldman River. It contains the largest undisturbed stretch of montane landscape in the country. It’s an awe-inspiring place to visit, with magnificent views and vistas to enjoy.
Anchored to rocky, windswept ridges and outcrops of the Whaleback are ancient limber pines, one of the longest-lived trees in the province. These twisted, gnarled trees are well-adapted to life in this harsh environment and can have a lifespan of more than 1,000 years. Their roots penetrate cracks and crevices in the thick layers of rock beneath them, firmly gripping and holding these trees in place. Relentless, ever-present winds can cause some limber pines to grow at crazy angles – to the point where it appears they might topple over at any moment. Sometimes, they do!
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – Into the Woods
Juried Show – Curated by Sherry Chanin
Date: August 10 – September 8, 2019 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, August 10, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
What happens when you venture into the woods? What do you see? What do you experience or remember about your time in the woods? For this exhibit, the question was posed, what have you encountered in your journey through the woods? This can be an actual literal interpretation of the theme, or the woods can be a metaphor for life.
Two of my photographs, Trees in Autumn and Walking Through the Woods will be on display during this exhibit. Both are Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) images. ICM is a technique and an artistic way of expression. I like the impressionistic, painterly effect you can achieve on what can otherwise be an ordinary, mundane scene.
Into the Woods
Vic Bergman Artist Statements
Trees in Autumn
Travelling by foot through woodlands and forests during the peak of autumn will reveal a multitude of colors, forms, and shapes, not seen any other time of the year. With so much unfolding before us at once, it can be difficult to comprehend everything, visually.
I’ve been trying to simplify some of my forest scene photographs by creating blurred, impressionistic-style images using Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) techniques. These images can have a dreamy, painterly quality to them. On some photos, the subject matter might be blurred but remain recognizable. In others, everything might be transformed into unrecognizable abstract shapes. The camera decides what the photograph will reveal.
ICM photography requires a lot of trial and error, and patience. No two images are the same and you may have to take hundreds of exposures to get one photograph that you like.
Walking Through the Woods
Woodlands have played an important, meaningful role in my life. I enjoy spending time exploring them and have discovered many of their hidden secrets and treasures. They have provided joy and solace, and have been a place to reflect and contemplate. They have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation. I have shared them with family and friends, and have walked through them alone.
Upon entering the woods, my senses become heightened. I am alert and aware of my surroundings. I hear the sounds that come from deep within – the hooting of an owl, the chirping of birds, the croaking of a frog, the rustling of leaves, the trickling of water, and the wind blowing through treetops. I see the mushroom sprouting on a moss-covered log, a butterfly fluttering through the air, and catch a fleeting glimpse of the white-tailed deer, as it disappears into the dark shadows ahead. I notice the scent of pine and aspen, of damp earth, woodsmoke, decaying vegetation, and the freshness in the air after a rain. There is always something to experience and discover when walking through the woods.
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – No Particular Topic Exhibit
Date: February 16 – March 17, 2019 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, February 16, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
I always enjoy participating in the annual No Particular Topic Exhibit, held each February at the Crowsnest Pass Art Gallery. It’s not a curated or juried show and all local artists are encouraged to submit something for display. It’s a great way for everyone to show their work. You can expect to see a wide range of artwork – everything from mixed media paintings, watercolors, oils, photography, and perhaps a sculpture or two. One of my photographs, Crocus for Maggie, will also be on exhibit.
No Particular Topic Exhibit
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
About a year ago, I lost a special friend, Maggie, my Irish Terrier. She was fourteen years old and had lived a long, full, happy life. We did a lot of fun things together over the years. There were countless hikes, walks, and adventures in and around Crowsnest Pass. Maggie also accompanied me on many excursions in the outdoors with my camera. There was one place, in particular, we would go every spring to photograph wildflowers. Prairie crocuses were always at the top of our list. Maggie would never stray far and was very patient while I crouched on the ground to take pictures. Sometimes, we would spend hours in one spot, waiting for the right light, or the wind to settle. These were my favourite times with her.
Last May, a few months after Maggie was gone, I went back to this place to take photos by myself. The wildflowers were incredible, especially the crocuses. I thought of Maggie a lot while I was there, and it wasn’t the same without her at my side. I’ll be back with my camera this spring when the crocuses begin to bloom. I’m sure thoughts of Maggie will return with me.
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – Soundscapes
Juried Show – Curated by Sherry Chanin
Date: July 14 – August 26, 2018 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, July 14, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
So much of what we enjoy in our environment is based on the sounds we hear – the cry of birds, the rush of water, the rustle of leaves in the wind, the crackle of thunder, the patter of rain, the laughter of children playing at the park, the sound of the train as it makes its way through the mountain passes, a dog barking in the distance, people’s voices at a café. Together we create a symphony of sound, or soundscape, that is unique and distinctive to every environment.
I’m happy to say one of my photographs, Beckoning Waters, has been selected for display in this exhibit. The photo was taken last summer, while fishing in southeast British Columbia with my long-time friend and fellow fly angler, Herb Vitale. It was near the end of the day and we were taking a break along the stream. Fishing had been quite productive, and although it was almost time for us to leave, the scenic trout waters ahead were beckoning us to stay a while longer.
I like the color version of this image, but I like it more when converted to black & white, or greyscale. The B&W version brings out the texture and details of the water’s surface and the submerged rocks along the stream bottom. It also draws attention to the main focal point, the angler, as he gazes upstream.
Beckoning Waters
Soundscapes
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
Much of my free time is spent in the outdoors along rivers and streams – big and small. Some of my favorite ones can only be reached on foot, and sometimes I am able to hear them before they come into view. The sounds they create are as different and beautiful as the places in which they are found.
The murmuring of a small, babbling brook may sound like it is whispering its secrets to you. The roar of a fast-flowing river, rushing through a rugged mountain canyon, is sure to awaken your senses and stir your soul.
The sound of moving water is like listening to music. It is relaxing, invigorating, and exhilarating. It stimulates and strengthens me.
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (1976)
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – No Particular Topic Exhibit
Date: February 24 – March 25, 2018 (This Exhibit had concluded)
Reception: Saturday, March 3, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
Works by various Crowsnest Pass and area artists will be on display during this annual, non-juried exhibition. A variety of mediums will be presented, and there should be something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. I’m delighted one of my photographs, Morning Light on Coneflower, will be on exhibit in this show.
No Particular Topic Exibit
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
I don’t always have to travel away from home and into the surrounding countryside, in order to find something interesting to photograph. Sometimes, my backyard provides me with all the inspiration I need. I’m always on the lookout for an opportunity to set up my camera, whether it’s to photograph a weathered lawn ornament, garden shrubs decked out in vibrant autumn colors, or flowers waiting to catch the day’s first rays of sunshine.
The slender petals drooping beneath the cone-shaped head of a purple coneflower caught my eye early one morning. Their pronounced, elongated shapes stood in strong contrast against the darkened foliage on the cotoneaster hedge in the background. The soft light illuminating from the petals draws attention to the focal point in this black and white presentation.
Morning Light on Coneflower
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – INTERPRETING CANADA: An Artist’s Portrait
-Celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary-
Juried Show – Curated by Sherry Chanin & Joni MacFarlane
Date: July 22 – August 27, 2017 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, July 12, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
The various works showcased in this exhibit are a visual representation of what Canada means to the artists who created these pieces. I’m extremely pleased, and honoured, to have one of my photographs selected for display in this show. My photograph is a self-portrait taken along the Crowsnest River this spring, not long after the winter snow and ice covering the river had melted. I visited the location twice, and after posing for close to 100 exposures, I captured one that seemed promising to me.
INTERPRETING CANADA: An Artist’s Portrait
Vic Bergman Artist Statement – Promising Waters
I am a first generation Canadian. My parents immigrated to this country from Europe at the end of World War II. They met here, were married, then started and raised a family. My parents shared a love for nature and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. They were awed by the ruggedness and unspoiled beauty of the Rocky Mountains, with their crystal-clear rivers and lakes, dense forests, and abundant wildlife. Our family spent countless days together, enjoying the best of what southwest Alberta had to offer.
My parents love and appreciation for the Canadian outdoors lasted their entire lives, and it was something they passed on to me, early in my life. Fishing was one of the first recreational activities I was exposed to as a child. Little did my parents, or I, realize at the time, the impact this would have on my life in later years. My parents are gone now, but I think of them all the time. Often, it’s when I’m out on the water, fishing by myself. Though I may be alone, they are always there in spirit with me.
Because of my parent’s courage and determination to pursue a better life in Canada, I am able to live in the greatest, most beautiful country in the world.
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – No Particular Topic Exhibit
Date: January 28 – February 26, 2017 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, January 28, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
This annual, non-juried exhibition will showcase works by various Crowsnest Pass and area artists. It’s always an excellent exhibit to attend, and there’s sure to be plenty of great artwork on hand. One of my panoramic photographs, View From Connelly Lake, will be on display at the show. The photograph, shown below, is printed on canvas and measures 36” X 10.”
No Particular Topic Exibit
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
I’m always looking for a fresh perspective when it comes to photographing landscape scenes in Crowsnest Pass. It’s not an easy task to accomplish, especially when photographing some of the more photographed local landmarks such as Turtle Mountain and Frank Slide. Scarcely a day goes by where someone doesn’t stop along the Highway 3 viewpoint to gaze upon the historic site and take pictures. Countless photographs have been taken by all kinds of photographers from this location over the years. There are plenty of other great vantage points nearby, where one can take interesting photographs of Turtle Mountain and the Slide, but they require more time and effort to reach. These are the places I like to visit.
View From Connelly Lake
Connelly Lake is one of the locations I have visited to photograph Turtle Mountain. This small, picturesque lake is situated on the eastern edge of Frank Slide, near the outskirts of Bellevue. The views you receive from here, particularly during the early morning, can be magnificent. The lake is surrounded by trees, shrubs, and cattails. Ducks, geese, and other birds nest here each spring. Elk, deer, and moose inhabit the surrounding countryside throughout the year. Other wildlife, including coyotes, foxes, and bears are more elusive and are sometimes seen in the area.
There are not many places to take photos of Turtle Mountain at Connelly Lake, but the north-east corner provides the best opportunity. Except for a few small clearings and openings near the water’s edge, dense trees, and thick brush block much of the view on this side of the lake. It’s from these small openings where most photographs are taken. One day, while scouting for another location to set up my camera, I happened to glance up at some of the tall trees standing along the lake. I thought it would be quite unique to take a bird’s-eye view picture from here. But how would I be able to do this? That’s when the idea of setting up a temporary tree stand came to mind. I returned a week later and set up my photography platform, high among the tree branches. It was well worth the effort, as the additional height provided me with a completely new perspective and view of Turtle Mountain from Connelly Lake.
Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery – As We Live and Breathe Exhibit
Juried Show – Curated by Barbara Ann Hession
Date: July 16 – August 28, 2016 (This Exhibit has concluded)
Reception: Saturday, July 16, 1-3 pm
Location: 14737, 20th Ave. Frank, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
Admission: Free
I’m thrilled to have two of my photographs selected for display in this show at the Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery. It’s an honor whenever your work is chosen for an exhibit such as this, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the artwork that will be presented here.
As We Live and Breathe
Vic Bergman Artist Statement
Art is part of our daily life. It can take on an infinite number of shapes and forms, and can be found almost anywhere imaginable. Sometimes, art is concealed from our consciousness and we have to search within ourselves to find it. Success can often be achieved when we expand our mindset, or when we step out of our comfort zone. The results can be surprising, if not remarkable.
I have discovered art in places where it was least anticipated, including in the confines of my home. Here, I have been able to observe art displayed in the ordinary – in common, everyday things, such as pottery sitting on a shelf, or a basket of fruit ripening on a kitchen counter. More typically, though, it is during my regular forays in the outdoors, where I envision my artwork, best. This is where I am most at ease and where art is easiest for me to discern. Whether it is a familiar view of a distant landscape, a bird perched on a branch, or a wildflower blooming along a well-travelled pathway, they allow me to become more conscious and perceptive of what it is I am attempting to convey. Whether art is presented to me on a grandiose or diminutive scale, and whether it is obvious or obscure, I am grateful it is there for me to experience each and every day.
When creating my art, I gain a better understanding of myself and who I am as a photographer. What really matters in the end is not what I create, or how I create it, but why I create.
“No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.” – Ansel Adams