Nelson, BC (August 2, 2023) –  Kootenay Lake has long been a hub of activity, from the earliest sturgeon-nosed canoes to modern day sporting activities such as paddleboarding and kitesurfing. The latest exhibition opening at the Nelson Museum Archives & Gallery, Making Waves, explores this history through artifacts, photographs, and archival film from the Museum collection. The exhibition opens on Friday, August 18 @ 7pm with a free reception open to the public,  and runs until October 28 in Gallery B. 

Making Waves examines the diverse nature of this history and the role that the West Arm has in the community today. “Kootenay Lake has always been of central importance to the people from the Nelson area, in transport, food resources and leisure,” says Nelson Museum Archivist and Collections Manager JP Stienne, who is curating the exhibition. “Many people have long since been attracted to our area to take part in lake activities. 

 

See the gold medal uniform of Olympic rowing champion Lorne Loomer; study trophies won by the famous Ladybird speedboat; watch a recently uncovered Shaw 10 tape discussing the origins of the Nelson Rowing Club; and much more. “Nelson has history of being a leading rowing centre and boasts the oldest motorboat club in all of Canada,” Stienne adds. “We look forward to sharing what we have learnt on this fascinating history.”  

Making Waves was made possible with the support from community groups and individual members, and with the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, the British Columbia Arts Council, the City of Nelson, the Nelson & District Credit Union.