Art for Sea to Sky: Source
Source – 36”x48” – 2021 – acrylic on canvas
Guardian. Headwaters. Source. Mt. Garibaldi/Nch'Kay, Garibaldi Lake and the surrounding basin are iconic landmarks in the Sea to Sky corridor. The lake and surrounding glaciers/X̱áx̱min are headwaters which supply Atl’ka7tsem with fresh water year-round, making them invaluable to the health of the entire Sound. Standing at 2,133 meters above sea level Panorama Ridge is one of the most prominent features as you hike into Garibaldi Lake.
The region is surrounded by nine stratovolcanoes and basaltic-andesite cones.
It was formed when lava flow from these nearby volcanoes blocked the valley and caused a natural dam around 9,000 years ago. Minerals from these volcanic sediments released downstream into the ocean are utilized by a myriad of organisms throughout the Sound. Glass Sponges, in particular, benefit from these sediments. The minerals help to create an environment conducive to the growth of these unique Porifera. This relationship between the tops of mountains and the bottom of the sea is just one of the many intricate connections that highlight the importance of the entire web that is Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound.
