Columbia Valley Arts
Council-Pynelogs Cultural Centre
 
The Columbia Valley Arts Council is dedicated to
fostering the growth, awareness, and appreciation of the arts in the
Columbia Valley.
Columbia
Valley Arts
Pynelogs
Cultural Centre is the primary cultural venue in Invermere and
Lake Windermere area. This historical edifice also serves as the office
for the Columbia Valley Arts Council (CVArts). This
log facility is used as an art gallery throughout the year and the
building also serves as the primary venue for a variety of arts related
workshops. A gift shop featuring the works
of local artists and artisans operates throughout most of the year. A
very popular public indoor/outdoor Cafe operates for about half the year CVArts also sponsors and hosts a number of
musical, dramatic and comedy concerts throughout the year at Pynelogs
as well as at other area venues.
The
building was built in 1914 by Robert Randolph Bruce, a Scottish land
developer. Randolph Bruce was the first major agricultural developer in
the Windermere valley at the beginning of the 20th century and his
enterprise, the Columbia Valley Fruit Lands Company, brought over many
of the early valley settlers from the United Kingdom.
He later became the Lieutenant Governor of British
Columbia and built Pynelogs for his English bride, Lady Elizabeth
Bruce. Lady Bruce died shortly after her arrival in the Columbia Valley and is buried on the property. Her
grave is impressively designated by a plaque and a monument located
under a small gazebo. Randolph Bruce
bequeathed Pynelogs to the District of Invermere in the 1930’s.
Pynelogs
is located in a truly unique setting. This impressive historical log
building is situated in a lush park on the edge of Lake Windermere in
Invermere. The main entrance, at the rear of the building is adjacent
to a large pond, Dorothy Lake, which features a fountain shooting water
60-70 feet into the air. The grounds contain a Botanical Heritage
garden featuring “old fashioned” vegetables and flowers
from the era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In addition,
the District plants beautiful annual gardens and looks after the
landscaping of the grounds. The community
Greenway’s Trail commences at Pynelogs.
The
Pynelogs building is 92 years old and has undergone a number of
internal modifications through its history as a private residence,
hospital, group home, and its current function as the regional centre
for arts and culture. Pynelogs is a truly
unique facility and a heritage site for the residents of the DOI and
the Upper Columbia Valley. Its historic significance in the development
of this area and its place in the history of British Columbia warrant
maintaining this legacy in an appropriate manner. Accordingly CV Arts
and the District of Invermere spent over
$530,000 on a major restoration and
renovation in 2004-05 to ensure the longevity of this community
treasure. Pynelogs is now essentially a 21st building inside
a Victoria shell.
Located by Kinsmen Beach, Invermere
(250) 342-4423
Gallery Hours: 11 am - 4 pm
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