We’re introducing you to some of our favourite places and people as we count down the days to ShowCanada…
Photo Credit: Alexis McKeown
Nicole Tremblay is a glass artist with more than 30 years of experience creating vibrant blown glass inspired by the Canadian Rockies. She co-owns and operates Fireweed Glass Studio in Canmore, Alberta, and her work is exhibited across Canada and collected throughout North America.
How long have you lived in Alberta, and what brought you to the area?
I moved to Canmore in 2004 to work with my friend Susan at her new glass blowing studio, and over twenty years later I am still here and still working in the same studio.
What do you like best about working/living in Alberta?
Two decades here and I am still not used to the landscape. Every day I feel like I am seeing the mountains for the first time. I will never get tired of them. Every spring I go hunting for wildflowers, finding and photographing lilies and orchids and wintergreens. This place never ceases to fascinate me.
A friend lands in Banff/Alberta with exactly 24 hours and zero agenda. Where are you taking them (i.e. hidden gems, fave attractions, fave local restaurants, etc.)?
It depends on the season. Mid July to mid August we are going for a walk through the wildflower meadows at Sunshine Meadows. Otherwise, we might hike Sundance Canyon, or C Level Cirque if it’s not too snowy, then go for a soak at Banff Upper Hot Springs. Then if it’s a Tuesday or Thursday, we’ll go for dinner at The Balkan because it’s Greek Night (which is always a blast with belly dancers and plate smashing).
Where’s your favourite view that doesn’t make it onto postcards?
Honestly anywhere you are willing to walk uphill for a couple hours you are going to be rewarded with spectacular views. Healy Pass is amazing, C Level Cirque, the Spray Valley is just as breathtaking as Banff and doesn’t get nearly the same attention or traffic.
Which celebrity do you think would fit best in Banff, and why?
A few years ago, when Kevin Hart was here filming Jumanji, he made a post that I think was just intended to show his fans how beautiful the place was but he was so overwhelmed trying to talk about it that he just wept. So if he wanted to stick around I think we’d keep him. He gets it.
What film best captures the spirit of Banff for you, and why?
So many movies have been filmed in this area – from little independent films to big blockbusters. I think the first part of Brokeback Mountain, where Ennis and Jack are herding sheep, they did a great job of showing the landscape and conveying how peaceful it can feel up in the mountains, how time stills. Those scenes were filmed in the Goat Creek area just behind Rundle Mountain. One of my all-time favourite movies is One Week. They filmed scenes at the Rimrock Hotel and also captured the landscape so well of not just the Banff area but all of Canada.
When designing awards for this 40-year milestone in Banff, what felt most important to capture, and why?
For an award like this, I really wanted to reflect a sense of place. I started thinking about being out in the mountains at night, and how even when it’s so dark you can’t see the mountains you can still feel them there. And if the sky is clear you look up and there are a million stars like a sky full of tiny diamonds. Then your eyes adjust and you realize the auroras are dancing above your head. This got me thinking about sitting in a movie theatre and the lights go dark and that first little animation from the studio starts and it might be an image of a night sky with dancing stars and the sounds of an orchestra tuning and you know something amazing is going to happen. To me these things are connected by the same magic.
The countdown to ShowCanada’s 40th anniversary edition is on… see you at the opening night dinner and Showmanship Awards where all honourees will receive a stunning trophy custom created by Nicole!
Learn more about Nicole’s work here:
https://www.nicoletremblay.ca/