July 29, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Art Galleries & Artists
If you haven’t been in downtown Fort St.
John lately, you will now find a colourful
addition. On the site where the old Fort
Hotel once stood, there are now paintings done by youth artists in a cheerful
summer theme adorning the property fence.
It looks like there are a few more spaces to be filled – I hope they put
some more paintings up!
If you want to check out more art while you
are downtown, next door to the outdoor paintings is Peace Gallery North (inside
the North Peace Cultural Centre) which has lot’s of great local artwork,
jewellery, pottery, and other handicrafts.
Both venues display the talented artists of Fort St. John - young and old!
July 12, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fort St. John, Art Galleries & Artists
Like so many unique trends that have started over the years, it all starts with a small idea. Fort St. John ceramic artist Shannon Butler has started a local phenomenon.
She created a ceramic figurine, a little owl with a rainbow coloured body, a heart where a heart should be, and a relaxed look in his eyes, she came up with a signature phrase, “Rainbow Owl got your back.”
There was no looking back after that, he is sometimes hilariously honest and sometimes sentimental and a bit sad, but either way he has lots to say, and there really is a phrase that could apply to everyone. “Rainbow owl is poor in money and rich in friends" is one of my favourite phrases as a poor student; in my travels I have met so many interesting people, I am poor in money, but rich in friends. I felt a connection with this cute and hilarious character.
Shannon had stickers made and they sold like mad, they are beginning to appear all over town, she had t-shirts made and now I am starting to see them around town. It is great that there is a local character that is starting to have some voice. I would encourage everyone to check out what Rainbow Owl has to say by visiting Shannon Butler’s studio at 10510 101 Ave in Fort St. John.