Gabriola Island, situated about 5 kilometres east of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, is renowned for its vibrant arts community and natural beauty. Among the best things to do on Gabriola Island is visiting the Free Spirit Gallery Studio Shop, which showcases local contemporary art and offers classes and workshops for all ages, fostering a creative environment for creating, collecting, and appreciating visual arts. The Opal Jewellery Studio provides fine jewellery crafted by local artisans, offering a unique shopping experience with one-of-a-kind pieces. Prominent artist Tyrrell Clarke, BFA, known for her rich colors and contemporary abstract style, draws inspiration from the West Coast's natural beauty. With a career spanning over four decades, her work is globally collected. Tyrrell also supports the art community by establishing artist-run spaces. Her latest figurative paintings celebrate the divine feminine in nature. Exploring Gabriola’s art scene, with its galleries and artists, is one of the best things to do on Gabriola Island.
Art Walks & Studio Tours in Gabriola Island
Catch artists in their own space and see the inner workings of the studio tours life. Watch as a potter or ceramicist works clay with an expert touch. See a painter use colour, form and composition to splash an image on blank canvas. Experience the process of glassmaking, woodworking, metal sculpting, and an endless variety of artistic expression. British Columbia’s diverse culture and pristine natural beauty create the perfect conditions for a vibrant arts community. Artists all over the province open the doors of their studios to the public for specialized viewing tours that can be found on Art-BC.com. Studio tours are an excellent way to immerse yourself in the local art scene. Some artists open their studios throughout the year, or for the summer season, while others will only be available for viewing during organized studio tours. To begin, find an existing studio tour with a proposed itinerary or create your own cultural crawl – plan a visit to one of BC’s Creative Communities using the Guide and Art-BC.com to curate your own exploration of galleries, artist studios and more!
