Visitors expecting the unusual will be impressed by the spectacular art created for the fourth biennial Texada Artists Studio Tour, which takes place on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29. A full range of visual arts from 20 artists at 13 studios will be on display, including painting, jewellery, beach glass, sculptures, photography, felting, printmaking and stained glass.
“Because the tour is every two years, artists work hard to make it a really good show,” says tour director Sandy McCormick. “The experience on Texada is different; people here tend to create a lot of one-of-a-kind items.”
McCormick says that because Texada is known as an industrial island, it is sometimes hard to convey that the area boasts a multitude of talented artists.
“Artisans here are mostly inspired by the natural surroundings, whatever the medium happens to be, whether it is sculpture or painting,” she adds. “It is the beauty of nature that really gets us going.”
A number of the artists are working to upcycle material rather than spending money on new items, says McCormick. Tour organizers and artists are striving to have a green footprint in addition to being incredibly artistic and creative, she adds.
“One artist makes jewellery out of old electrical supplies; her dad is an electrician,” says McCormick. “We also have a painter who cuts the sides out of old dishwashers and dryers, uses on the reflective metal as a canvas and creates really vibrant textures.”
A shuttle bus courtesy of School District 47, with a tour guide and volunteer driver, will operate both days. Passengers who walk on the 8:35 am ferry from Westview Terminal will be picked up and taken to the studios along the route.
“We give them time to look around at each stop and talk to the artists,” says McCormick, “and drop them off in time for the 5:10 pm ferry leaving Blubber Bay.
To book seats on the shuttle bus, call 604.486.6707.
“There is a preregistration requirement,” says McCormick, “so can ensure there are enough seats for everybody.”
For those who choose to take the tour on their own, maps are available at That Place Café in Blubber Bay, Texada Island Inn, Mary Mary’s Café in Van Anda, Gillies Bay General Store and Ravenous Raven Restaurant in Gillies Bay, as well as at Powell River Visitor Information Centre, 4760 Joyce Avenue.
Studio signs featuring a colourful hand and arrows help drivers navigate their way to each location.
Texada Artist Studio Tour
When: Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and 29
Times: 10 am to 4 pm
Admission: Free
Information: 604.414.3525, texadaart.com
