Kelowna

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe

The Conductor calls out to Kelowna

Meet The Conductor, he's the new bronze man in Kelowna.

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe

Artist Ken Curley gives The Conductor a smile on Thursday Aug. 30.

The sculpture was created by artist Ken Curley. 

"I'm very humbled by this experience and for the opportunity to take my artistic abilities and create something that is identifiable with our community and with our heritage on this site," says Churley.

Before he created the bronze work, Churley took time to talk with retired conductors in Alberta.

"I talked about the poses and I talked about the equipment and the lantern you are about to see and how the man would be functioning in his environment. Churley added, "To know that, that era is gone and is no longer going to be part of the railway was a very important point and is one that puts the capital 'H' in this project."

Steelhead Investments and Team Construction are the developers of the site. The Train Station Pub is the anchor tenant and it is supported by other businesses.

In a press release the developers say, "The building and sculpture create a unique focal point for Kelowna’s North End."

The team wanted to make the sculpture a reality while maintaining the local history of the CNR Railway Station, built in 1926.

Churley says, "The Conductor sculpture is six feet tall and weights approximately 600 lbs. The sculpture represents an era in Canadian history when people traveling by train, were greeted by the person who controlled not only the movement of passengers, but the security and integrity of the service provided by the Railway Company. This work was created in my Calgary studio with the collaborative effort of the Selection committee, and the resourcefulness of Mike and Lucia Ryan."