A former forestry station on Finn Bay Road in Lund had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years, but today the space has been transformed by owner Nancy Jeakins into Tidal Art Centre.
Jeakins purchased the building decades ago, but was only recently able to realize her dreams for it.
“We bought the property about 25 years ago, but I couldn’t afford to develop it,” said Jeakins. “ I always had this dream of doing art workshops.”
Today the old building features soaring ceilings, concrete floors and has been made completely accessible with the installation of an elevator. It is attracting artists from around the region and beyond, and has facilities for printmaking, fibre arts, clay works, photography, painting, sculpture and writing.
Ceramic artist Nancy Frioud recently built a salt kiln at the site to fire her pottery.
“Now I do most of my work in East Vancouver at a studio but I bring the work to Finn Bay to fire,” said Frioud.
In the future, Jeakins said she will be hosting workshops at the space, facilitated by artists like Frioud.
“We want to bring in artists, but there are just such talented people around here,” said Jeakins. “I want to help people find their voice.”
On Saturday, August 25, and Sunday, August 26, the centre will be part of the Powell River Studio Tour, a self-guided event featuring artists and art spaces from Lang Bay to Lund. Tidal Art will be hosting multiple artists, including Monique Labusch, David Molyneaux, Sandra Lopez, Colleen Heslin, Les Ramsay, Jackie Frioud, Sharon Dennie, Claudia Medina, Theo Angell, Barbara Langmaid and Megan Dulcie Dill.
For more information, go to powellriverstudiotour.com or tidalartcentre.com.
