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Wells

August 8, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Wells, Artists & Art Galleries

The town of Wells has lots to offer visitors. You can rent a canoe and paddle along the Jack O Clubs Lake located on the West side of Wells just as you enter town. While you are there be sure to stop in at the visitor’s centre for more ideas and brochures on the things to see and do around Wells. The town itself is home to more artists per capita than any other place in the world and the buildings and art galleries prove that. Take the historic artist walk through town to discover all of the art galleries. Eat at one of the great restaurants and be sure to talk with the locals to get a sense of the kindness that Wells is known for as a SuperHost community. Also, take in their museum to see the history of the mining town and area. If you are more interested in the adventure recreation then there are a myriad of hiking trails around the area that are easy to access providing wonderful views and great experiences.

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Posted by Tourism PG, Prince George at 12:54 PM

Central Park Building

July 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Smithers, Artists & Art Galleries

 The Central Park Building in Smithers includes an Art Gallery, Museum, and a Dance Studio.  I think the the building is intresting from the back, and not too many people get to see or notice it.  Enjoy!

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Posted by Erica's Smithers Snap Shot, Smithers at 03:00 PM

12 noon sirine

July 25, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Smithers, Artists & Art Galleries

The Bulkley Valley Museum Presents: A Smithers Culture Crawl. The crawl takes visitors on a remarkable and fascinating stroll.  Our Culture Crawl explores the Swiss and Dutch migration to Smithers, history of Music in the Bulkley Valley, the history of the Fire Department, breathtaking gardens, and unique Aladdin and Eaton kit homes.  Every day at 12 noon a sirine sounds from our fire hall, so one Friday I had to ask if I could take some pictures from the tower.  Enjoy!

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Posted by Erica's Smithers Snap Shot, Smithers at 02:52 PM

Dawson Creek Art Gallery

July 10, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Dawson Creek, Artists & Art Galleries

 I think that the Dawson Creek Art Gallery is one of the neatest buildings in Dawson Creek. It is made out of an old grain elevator and has spiriling stairs to take you up to the very top. On the walls there is art displayed which focuses mostly on local talent. There is also a room in that you can go in to see all the old pictures of construction workers during the building of the Alaska Highway. This place is a must see and I will be back again.

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Posted by VIC Gals, Dawson Creek at 03:04 PM

BC Art Made Easy

July 7, 2009 | Tips from Us > Victoria, Artists & Art Galleries
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 I guess it must be living in one of the most breathtaking places in the world that allows our province's artists to create some absolutely incredible art.  It seems that everywhere I visit in the province, one of the activities that occupies a great deal of my time is poking around at pottery or glass studios & art galleries, watching artists create masterpieces on street corners, carvers transform hunks of rough wood into intricate pieces...you get the picture.  I can't always purchase the art I see on my travels but I have over the years managed to treat myself and now I have the odd bit on my 'travel wall' or on my bookshelf to remind me how fortunate I am to live here.   But sometimes I can't buy direct from the artist in the community where I see them and that is why I delighted in stumbling across Side Street Studio in Victoria, a great art gallery that showcases all sorts of BC art... from glass and wood, pottery and jewellery and more.  It is well worth a visit next time you are in Victoria...especially if, like me, you failed to pick up the dream piece you saw created while you were out exploring BC.

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Posted by Kathleen, Vancouver at 02:03 PM

Fired Up!

July 5, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Fort St. John, Artists & Art Galleries

 

One of the unknown facts about Fort St. John is that it has a thriving arts community.  There are many events and artist hotspots where numerous talented local artists are anxious to display their creations.

Potter Shannon Butler is one such brilliant artist who opened up her own studio called Kilnhouse Studio and has a variety of pieces for sale. I heard about Shannon Butler from many sources, she has had a few articles written in our local paper, several of my friends know her and have bought work from her, and my brother bought a beautiful mug from her and won’t let anyone use it!

I stopped into her studio a few weeks ago and had a look around at her wares. I was very impressed with her pieces and the great skill she showed. I was especially fond of her necklaces. They are very unique because they have original art attached to a beautiful silk ribbon. I had to buy one.  I selected a necklace with a moose on it (since I collect moose things). The necklace is so comfortable!  Normally I don’t wear necklaces because they irritate me, but Shannon Butler’s creation is great because the silk ribbon just feels so nice. I loved my moose necklace so much I went back and bought another necklace with some flowers on it. Whenever I wear one of my necklaces I get plenty of compliments and people inquire how to get one. “Kilnhouse Studio” I tell them!

 

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Posted by Alana, Fort St. John at 04:26 PM

Jim Etzkorn - Master Potter

July 3, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Victoria, Artists & Art Galleries
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JIM ETZKORN

Potter, Jim Etzkorn, has received numerous accolades and awards, taught and presented to groups around the world, and designed the dinner service for the G8 Summit in 2003, but his day-to-day motivation comes from the hope that his work will find a place in the regular lives and hearts of families for generations.

Etzkorn, who lives and works in Prince George, BC, said it is the chance that his work might become a treasured family heirloom that most inspires him to continue what he started 30 years ago.

“Like the exercises you might do leading up to a big race, the day-to-day stuff sustains me,” he said. “The contact with humanity is my affirmation. It’s not technological, it’s very personal, and it keeps me grounded.”

It was a connection with the pots of Asian history that inspired a style that he describes as “functional and decorative, utilizing traditional and contemporary forms, techniques and ideas”. Hypothesizing that he “might have been Asian in another life”, Etzkorn said he has always been drawn to the big, swelling shapes of Oriental antiquities and the primal spirit that seems to emit from them.

He draws further inspiration from other artists, nature, and the Asian concept of wabi-sabi– a Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on embracing transitions over results. For Etzkorn, the transitions involved in making a piece of pottery-each piece is handled 15 or 16 times-can be as satisfying as the piece itself.

“The process is long and there are no immediate rewards,” Etzkorn said. “But when I’m working, I am totally in the present-it’s like time stands still. That something beautiful can start as a lump of mud, is still amazing to me.”

Jim Etzkorn’s work can be found at Side Street Studio in Victoria.

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Posted by canncuk21, Victoria at 02:39 PM

Island Mountain Arts Welcomes Us to Wells

May 13, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Wells, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Wells, Artists & Art Galleries

 Setting out on the road heading east from Quesnel, we arrived in the still snowy community of Wells, BC.  With preconceptions of a vibrant artists’ community in mind, it was at first disappointing to see the community in its dreary shoulder season state.  There was hardly any sign of life in town and most services were yet to be opened for the summer months.  However despite this initial impression, we were not giving up so easily.
After cruising a few blocks in our versatile off road Toyota Yaris, we were drawn to Island Mountain Art Gallery’s by its effervescent exterior mural as well as its open door and signs of human life.  The gallery staff were cheerful, helpful and genuinely excited to meet us and shed some light on their community.  We were in fact just a few weeks premature to witness Wells in all its splendor, as the snow had only recently receded and the village was in Spring clean-up mode.  The artwork within offered a preview of the local talent, showcasing the works of talented local artists as well as assorted books, poetry, and jewelry produced in, and showcasing the region.
We left the gallery with a newfound appreciation of Wells as well as the natural beauty of its surrounding landscape, with aspirations of returning in late July for the notorious ArtsWells Festival; a celebration of all things art.

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Posted by samegan, Kamloops at 08:48 PM

Exploring Native Carving

October 27, 2008 | Field Reports > Kitimat, Artists & Art Galleries

Sammy Robinson, Chief of the Haisla Indian Band, is one of the most well known Native Carvers in the world. He lives and works in Kitimat, BC, but his carvings have been sold internationally. His stunning wood and metal carvings tell stories of native history and culture.  Kitimat, and the surrounding area is rich in native heritage, and you'll often see huge totem poles along streets and in the parks. Sammy is a wonderful tour guide, and after spending time with him, I feel like I have a better understanding of this rich culture.

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Posted by Ami, Vancouver at 06:06 PM

East End Art

October 10, 2008 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries
Find more information about Vancouver, Artists & Art Galleries

 I had the opportunity to visit a very cool art gallery recently, located smack in the middle of Vancouver's downtown eastside..and it was well worth the visit.  Centre A is Vancouver's International Centre for Contemporary Art and is located at the corner of Carrall Street and East Hastings.  What is a real treat is that it is housed in one of the City's most important heritage buildings - the old BC Gas building that was where the interurban trains looped around before heading back out to the suburbs - this all many years ago of course.  Now the building is home to some pretty edgy and thought-provoking Asian artwork.  If you are visiting Gastown or Chinatown, or shopping at nearby Army & Navy, check out what they have to offer.  But keep in mind that it is in one of the City's more colourful neighbourhoods.  They are open Tuesday through Saturday.

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Posted by Kathleen, Vancouver at 06:16 PM