Some stories are not written in ink, but shaped in steel, woven in straw, and created using old skis and snowboards. They are told through hands – steady, weathered, imaginative hands that transform ordinary materials into lasting meaning. In Revelstoke, Rob Buchanan is a force of vision and versatility – a photographer, sculptor, designer, editorial cartoonist, and public art creator whose work leaves an indelible mark on the streets he calls home. As the visionary behind Art Alleries, he reimagined forgotten downtown alleys as vibrant outdoor galleries, turning overlooked spaces into living canvases.

Luke Lewis carries forward a quieter, but equally powerful tradition. As owner and lead broom-maker at North Woven Broom Company, in Crawford Bay, Luke embraced the steep learning curve of traditional weaving techniques with patience. Each broom he crafts reflects not only skill, but deep respect – for the heritage of the craft, for the rhythm of working with natural materials, and for the generations who shaped this knowledge before him. Together, these makers use their hands to shape more than art; they shape identity, memory, and community in the Birthplace of Adventure.

ROB BUCHANAN

Rob is a dynamic force in Revelstoke’s arts scene – a talented photographer, sculptor, designer, editorial cartoonist, and public art creator whose work leaves a lasting impact on the community. 

Art Alleries, a visionary project he has led, transformed Revelstoke’s downtown alleys into vibrant outdoor art galleries that showcase many striking, weather-resistant works like the ‘Mona Skisa’ crafted from retired skis and snowboards. Energized with solar-powered LEDs, the pieces light up the alleys, redefining neglected spaces with creativity and style. More than just stunning art, this initiative enhances community safety and beautifies the city. 

“In 1994, my girlfriend and I were living in a van and spending the winter skiing every mountain we could around Revelstoke. Then the van broke down. And we never left. Instead, we got married and spent the next three decades planting roots in one of the coolest places on the planet. Drawn here by the mountain landscape and outdoor sports, it was the people and the sense of community we found here and continue to discover that keep us in Revelstoke. Although we lost a van, we found home”, shared Rob. 

Rob also played a pivotal role in LUNA Fest, Revelstoke’s electrifying nighttime art festival which happens each September. As a founding member and creative leader, he shaped the festival’s unforgettable installations – including the innovative ‘MichelanJELLO’s David’ which used blue transparent jello to recreate a life-size jiggly version of the famous sculpture. Rob’s influence continues to elevate LUNA, driving its growth and dazzling the community year after year. 

“I’ve been working in the Kootenays as a professional artist for over 30 years. The landscape continues to inspire me as a photographer and painter, but as an installation and assemblage artist, I’m addicted to creating works of art from byproducts of our outdoor sports industry. Defunct skis, snowboards, ski goggles, climbing skins – they all can be recycled into funky, unique pieces of contemporary art. And the Kootenay audiences are just as funky and unique as the art. They continually support, fund and inspire the way I work, as well as supporting the careers of so many other Columbia Basin artists. This fosters a vibe of collaboration rather than competition in the Kootenay art scene, and for that I am forever grateful”, explained Rob.

“The Masterpiste Gallery at Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the planet’s first ever ski-thru art gallery. Take a high-brow snowplow through 25 world-famous iconic works of art recreated from recycled skis and snowboards. Pablo PaCatski, Vincent Van Snow, Leonardo da Vinski – it’s like skiing through the Louvre”, added Rob, as a must-do experience when skiing/riding Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

LUKE LEWIS

Luke hails from Nelson, a vibrant arts community in the West Kootenay on the shores of Kootenay Lake. Known for its historic downtown, creative culture, and strong traditions in craft, galleries, music, and festivals, Nelson is recognized as one of Canada’s leading small arts communities. 

Now based in nearby Crawford Bay, Luke is a local craftsman and the owner and lead broom maker at North Woven Broom Company. The longtime community workshop produces high-quality, hand-woven brooms using time-honoured techniques and antique equipment. Luke took over the business from his aunt and uncle, Rob and Janet Schweiger, in 2015, proudly carrying on their legacy. Learning the traditional weaving style came with a steep learning curve, but it deepened his respect for the craft and its history. 

“The Artisans of Crawford Bay is a gem. The community of artisans welcomes visitors into various production workshops to share both the process of their crafts and the incredible fruits of their work. Crawford Bay is quite small but offers just enough of the right amenities to make a comfortable place to experience nature and also have the cultural experiences of art, music, good food, healing and accommodation nearby”, shares Luke.

The brooms are made using techniques nearly 200 years old, blending skilled handwork with antique machinery from the 1870s and 1930s. Outside the workshop, Luke serves as a director with the East Shore Trail and Bike Association, supporting sustainable recreation and community development along Kootenay Lake. 

“Everyone here is affected by our environment and probably has a more significant relationship with it in their daily lives than in many other places. We live close to nature. We live in a wilderness. My water comes from a creek that I know, the facts of life, the infrastructure of living here is plain and clear and directly connected to the landscape. There is a harshness and drama of the wild that is at the same time a solace, inspiration and balm.  

I use natural elements in my own craft. The brooms that I make and share with people from around the world are both made from and inspired by the natural elements around us. The way water moves and settles in the mountains is so unique and dramatic compared to the plains or flatter lands. We live beneath lakes and the earth itself defies gravity precariously in mountain form. We take chances here, leaps of faith and soaring open hearted gestures to the world. We hold each other in the community because we witness improbability in the landscape around us. I make very practical brooms but also ones that defy expectations and capture whimsy. There is a respect and gratitude for nature here. There is nourishment and healing in visiting the shores of Kootenay Lake”, adds Luke (when we asked: How does the natural environment influence your creativity).

Cover photo of the Art Alleries in Revelstoke, artwork & photo courtesy of Rob Buchanan.