qathet studio tour 2023 is kicking it up a notch this August 26 and 27, featuring more artists than ever before.
The annual, multi-neighbourhood, free and self-guided studio crawl is expected to draw hundreds of art curious and art aficionados to the region to wander through the creative offerings of the qathet region. For the first time qathet Art is hosting the tour, which has merged with original host Malaspina Art Society, now under one umbrella organization.
Since 2004 the popular summer event has invited artists to open up their spaces for onlookers to get a more intimate look at the places where artists work and create. This year includes: painters, sculptures, fabric/textile artists and potters.
Some artists have been with the tour since the beginning and some have only joined this year. The neighbourhood of Cranberry boasts a plethora of artists, including three who are new to the tour.
Floral designer Nicole Quigley is on the tour map at number 13 with Bloom Therapy. Fibre artist and sculptural felter Vanessa Sparrow and Catherine Langevin, a BC-based willow basket weaver, are both number 14 on the tour.
Haley Hunt-Brondwin, visual artist and graphic designer for the user-friendly qathet Studio Tour 2023 brochure, map and website, said there are a few ways to approach the tour.
“Some people set aside the entire weekend and make it the highlight of their summer, hitting studios south of town all the way to Lund,” said Hunt-Brondwin. “Or keep it simple and visit artist studios in your neighbourhood if that’s what you prefer.”
Turquoise road signs will point the way on studio tour weekend.
Some artists are banding together to display their art in a central location to make it easy for participants to find including: Cranberry Seniors Centre, Powell River Fine Arts Association, and writer Katje van Loon will be in her “wild and weird” Wolffy’s Book Den, the only bookstore featured on the tour, all in Cranberry.
“More than half are home studios and others are showing with other artists because it works better for them,” said Hunt-Brondwin. “Every studio/home on the tour is unique depending on the property and how they have set it up; some are immaculate and some are like an archive of their practice, it's all pretty neat to see.”
Hunt-Brondwin also said this studio tour is the biggest yet and gains more prominence by adding more artists every year. Most studios, galleries and businesses are open year-round but, “this event is like an art party,” emphasized Hunt-Brondwin. “The tour is more fun with more people, and usually different groups end up chatting, maybe finding a gift or two and end up art crawling together.”
The weekend event is a big deal for many of the artists as it is an opportunity to have their art available for sale and for many wanderers to see.
Biking and walking are also an option for Westview, Townsite, Cranberry and Wildwood neighbourhoods that will feature more than 25 artists.
Two internationally exhibited artists will have their work on display in Westview. Luke Ramsey, known for his public art works and illustrations, is showing for the first time on the qathet Studio Tour at Townskate on Marine Avenue; his work will be for sale at number nine on the map. Meghan Hildebrand (number 10) will have her innovative paintings, original mugs, upcycled fashion and art cards on display on Willingdon Avenue.
Westview also has a furniture designer, Gary Huculak and his XGdesign studio, on the route at number 12 on Saskatchewan Avenue.
Contemporary visual artists Christian Borrego, originally from Mexico and now residing in qathet, will have his exhibition at Crucible Gallery in Townsite (number 19 on the studio tour map) for the entire month of August, including studio tour weekend. Folks may have seen his recent mural of a cephalopod on the wall of the Beach Hut at Willingdon Beach in Westview.
Some of the farther away neighbourhoods are usually a highlight for many art lovers as the studios and landscapes are unique and a fun field trip for many residents and tourists. South of town, covering Lang Bay to Myrtle Rocks has painter Ursula Medley opening her beachside studio to visitors. Tour-goers can wander through her garden and studio freely. Fifth-generation artist Peter Gynd will share the same space on the tour at number one.
On the way to Lund, people can stop at three studios in Wildwood. All three are painters, with some using photography and printmaking as well.
“I made sure the brochure, map, artists listings and photos on the website are accessible,” said Hunt-Brondwin. “There is a digital PDF of the printed guide also available. The qathet region is a big area, so we wanted to make sure everyone can be found.”
All the way along Highway 101, including side roads, artists and studios will be open for visitors to drop in (also by appointment). Artist Theo Angell will have his dioramas, sculpture and paintings for all to see at number 30 on the map. Visitors to Coastal Cookery and Base Camp on Marine Avenue will have seen his unique dioramas on the wall.
If qathet studio tour participants are ambitious, they can turn right before Lund to visit Tidal Arts Centre on Finn Bay Road. The unique gallery is host to artists-in-residence year-round, along with a pottery teacher and multimedia artist. All will be on site.
“Drop in, chat, find yourself with another group and travel together, crawl along,” said Hunt-Brondwin. “I find the arts community super supportive with lots of opportunities to work and learn. qathet is a special and creative place.”
The tour takes place from 10 am to 4 pm each day on August 26 and 27.
For more information, including the map and artists profiles, go to qathetart.ca/directory-studio_tour.
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