There's nothing quite like encountering an artist on his or her own turf: cup of tea in one hand, and paintbrush or chisel in the other. Many British Columbia artists open up their homes and studios to visitors, welcoming you into their own creative world. Be sure to take advantage of this unique, and often unforgettable, experience. Please take note of studios that ask you call before visiting.
321 3rd Avenue PO Box 35 Ladysmith BC V9G 1A1 250.245.3778
Tues to Sat, 1 pm to 5 pm or By Appointment
If you like unusual, original artwork, then be sure to visit the inspiring studio of one of BC's finest ceramic artists. Mary Fox is known for creating distinctive one-off vessels that are exhibited nationally and internationally. She also enjoys making colourful, quality and functional ware that you'll love to use!
Directions: Turn off the Trans Canada Highway onto Roberts Street, go up hill to 3rd Avenue and turn left.
Artist Studios
Solart Glass Studio (Klee Wyck)
200 Keith Road West Vancouver BC V7T 1L3 604.925.7262 www.solmaya.com
Open to vistors by appointment
Waiting to be discovered...hidden away in a park-like setting on the banks of the Capilano River, Sol Maya's glass blowing studio reflects the beauty and uniqueness of his glass art. Sol's signature pieces, with his "saturn rings" introduce a new technique to the ancient glass blowing process. Please call for directions and studio hours.
Please visit the new studio in beautiful Tofino...
1180 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC
Artist Studios
Plant Papers
402 West Pender Street, Suites 304 & 305 Downtown Vancouver BC V6B 1T6 604.681.4000
In her studio in a heritage building in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, Jan MacLeod designs and makes a variety of unusual works reflecting her sensitivity to nature. She uses her unique botanical plant papers which she developed in 1981 in all her wall pieces, sculptures, books and cards. Jan will create one-of-a-kind custom artworks for home or business decor, memorable appreciation gifts, and invitations for a variety of events.
"I am inspired by the beauty around me and life itself. I paint in response to what I see and feel about a subject by letting the paintbrush lead me. Within the colourful and vibrant expressions I also attempt to establish a certain harmony within the body of the painting. I respond to my inner spirit and hope that this also is depicted in the image. I hope that my art brings a joy to the viewer similar to which I created it with." - Jane
Open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.
Artist in attendance most Tuesdays
Artist Studios
Silk Weaving Studio
15-1531 Johnston Street (next to the Sandbar Restaurant) Vancouver (Granville Island) BC V6H 3R9 604.687.7455 www.silkweavingstudio.com
The Silk Weaving Studio is a working studio and retail shop where several weavers produce and sell hand-dyed silk garments and accessories. Come to this unique studio to watch the weaving process unfold and experience the seductive qualities of silk. In addition to our wide selection of richly colored handwoven silk garments, we also sell: scarves, shawls, belts, hats, lingerie, jewelry, yarns and fibers.
Artist Studios
Ursula E. Rettich
36186 Prairieview Dr Sunrise Park Gate #10 Abbotsford BC 604 823 4622
By appointment or by chance ---contact Ursula today
As a Painter, and former Fabric Artist, I have always been drawn to Nature and Landscapes. I can feel the intensity of colours in what I see in front of me, I have learned to realise and paint the images not necessarily as a physical place but a place of reconnecting.
My latest series of paintings is from the coastline and Islands in the North Sea.
Storms pounding the shores and destroying what was man’s way of life for generation,
Breakers slow down the tidal current for a while causing sand deposits and encouraging the beach to stabilize.
I welcome you to my in-house studio.
Artist Studios
Jeweler - Per Wendel Madsen
1490 Johnston Street, 2nd floor Vancouver (Granville Island) BC V6H 3S6 604.684.0707
Twenty-four artist studios open their doors and invite you in for ten days of extraordinary showings this summer. This self-guided, free tour will cover all parts of the Cowichan Valley, taking you to visit painters, sculptors, potters, photographers, jewelry makers, fabric designers, weavers, and others. It's a beautiful drive through the valley. You will come to appreciate the influence of inspiring studio locations on artists and their creative outcomes.
Many artists will be offering workshops and demonstrations in their media, creating a fascinating experience for visitors and Cowichan residents alike.
Art Galleries
Amelia Douglas Gallery
4th floor North Building 700 Royal Avenue. New Westminster B.C. V3L 5B2 604.527.5723
The Amelia Douglas Gallery is a non-profit organization named after the Cree wife of James Douglas, Governor of both the Colony of British Columbia and the Colony of Vancouver Island in 1858.
Exhibit Room III is the studio/shop of feltmaker Sheila Beech. Located in Sooke’s first police station, the studio is full of bright wool and exotic fibres that are used for Sheila’s innovative designs. The studio has been changed to a demonstrating / working one. Sheila has worked for the Metropolitan Opera, and Donna Karan in New York. Her work has been sold worldwide.
Specialists in original Inuit and First Nations art, Appleton Galleries features one of Canada's largest collection of Canadian Inuit stone sculptures, tapestries and Northwest Coast wood carvings, masks, plaques, paddles, talking sticks and more. More than 3000 original carvings. Quality art for the collector in Downtown Vancouver for over 40 years. www.appletongalleries.com
Art Galleries
Campbell River Art Gallery
1235 Shoppers Row Campbell River BC V9W 2C7 250.287.2261 www.crartgallery.ca
May - Aug, Mon to Sat 10am-5pm; Sept - April, Tues to Sat 12pm-5pm
Changing exhibits present a variety of visual art media.
Members show May 29-June 26; ongoing classes and family events; Garden & Art tour July 4 & 5; Christmas Arts & Crafts Boutique later in the year. Our Gallery Gift Shop offers distinctive local works.
Artwork in photo "Benediction" by Dianne Bersea
Art Galleries
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss Street Victoria BC V8V 4P1 250.384.4101 www.aggv.bc.ca
Open Daily, 10 am to 5 pm, Thurs to 9 pm
Engaging, Challenging, Inspiring...
Located in the historic neighbourhood of Rockland, Victoria's public art museum is home to BC's largest public art collection and features a world-respected Asian art collection, including an authentic Japanese Shinto Shrine located outside in the Asian Garden.
The Art Gallery offers a diverse presentation of exhibitions, ranging from Asian art, European and Canadian historical works and leading contemporary artists from across the country. The Art Gallery is often chosen to participate in national tours of important block-buster exhibitions. Permanently on exhibition at the Art Gallery are the paintings, writings and historical artifacts of BC's premiere landscape artist, Emily Carr.
*Gallery admission is by donation on the first Tuesday of every month!
We are all open May 1st till mid-October, at least 9-5. Many of us are open in April. Winter hours vary, please call ahead.
Crawford Bay is a small village located amidst pristine lake and mountain scenery on the East Shore of Kootenay Lake. Here you will find a hotbed of creativity, where you can visit several working studios within easy walking distance: blacksmithing, pottery, broom making, weaving, copper enamelling, and more.
Artist Studios
Barbara Boldt Original Art Gallery
25340 84th Avenue 5km East of Fort Langley & Easy Parking Langley BC V1M 3N2 604.888.5490
Barbara paints landscapes, garden and forest scenes in oil, soft pastel, watercolour. She is well known for her "Earthpattern" series of the Gulf Islands. After many years of operating her own gallery, Barbara now works exclusively out of her in-home-studio gallery.
Art Galleries
Art Junction Gallery
#2B, 1050 Millar Creek Rd. Function Junction Whistler BC V0N 1B1 604.938.9000
Whistler's Art Junction Gallery features paintings, sculptures, pottery and blown glass by contemporary BC artists that capture the spirit and beauty of the province. Situated 9 kms south of the main village in the Function Junction near the breathtaking Cheakamus riverside trails, this gallery offers a visual feast for the eyes in a laid back and casual environment.
Contemporary, colourful, stylized-figures, florals and landscapes. View original works on canvas and unique reverse paintings on acrylic panel. The Studio and Gallery are located in The Doorknocker Bed and Breakfast, a beautiful Tudor Manor on an acre of gardens just east of Hwy 99. For more information please visit www.thedoorknocker.com.
Art Galleries
Art Works Gallery
225 Smithe Street Vancouver (Downtown) BC V6B 4X7 604.688.3301; 1.800.663.0341 www.artworksbc.com
Mon—Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, 10am—6pm
A valued resource for designers and collectors ART WORKS GALLERY represents contemporary artists in a wide variety of mediums and styles. Feature exhibitions change monthly. FREE parking available. We will deliver locally and ship worldwide.
Art Galleries
Barton Leier Gallery
3140 Decourcey Road Ladysmith BC V9G 1E2 250.722.7140
Barton and Leier Gallery showcases the work of Nixie
Barton and Grant Leier, professional full time artists
exhibiting across Canada. Well known for their use of
colour and unusual imagery combinations, the gallery features great art and funky
gifts, focusing on experimental works as well as traditional. In addition, Barton
and Leier Gallery has just opened a second location in downtown Nanaimo at
Church and Chapel, open everday.
Artist Studios
Janis Dean Johnson, Jewellery Design
1387 Railspur Alley Vancouver (Granville Island) BC V6H 4G9 604.408.2100
Please call for hours
Playful, elegant, easy to wear jewellery. Designs are available for
sale on site and intermingle exotic glass beads, mixed metals, pearls
and semi-precious stones. Come visit my open working studio on
Railspur Alley.
The Black Tusk Gallery features a variety of works by the First Nations artists whose work reflects the ancient histories and traditions of the coastal people .
The Burnaby Art Gallery is dedicated to collecting, preserving and presenting a contemporary and historical visual art program by local, national and internationally recognized artists. As the stewards of the third largest public art museum collection within the province of British Columbia, the Burnaby Art Gallery cares for and manages over 4000 works of art. The Burnaby Art Gallery is a nationally recognized leader in print culture dedicated to showcasing original hand pulled prints and ephemera related to printmaking in Canada. The Gallery also provides a diverse and challenging range of educational programs for the general public and Metro Vancouver schools.
Wallflowers and Beyond studio/gallery is home to owner/artist Judy Osiowy.
A painter of landscapes, florals, portraiture, and abstracts, she works daily in the studio. Rotating shows include contemporary work by painters, fibre artists, potters, jewellers, and photographers. Call ahead for appointment or drop by.
Art classes and workshops also available.
Elaine Brewer-White's unique clay sculpture celebrates humanity with energy and color and wit. Her work is in public and private collections world-wide. Leave an enduring impression with a custom commission, or visit her web site or galleries to view new work.
Art Galleries
Burnaby Arts Council & Deer Lake Gallery
6584 Deer Lake Ave Burnaby BC V5G 3T9 604.298.7322
The Burnaby Arts Council hosts a wide variety of events, encompassing a vast assortment of the various arts. From painting, to dance, to theatre and poetry, the BAC provides an outlet for people of all ages to express their creativity.