Hailed as a mecca for artists and artisans of every kind, Salt Spring Island is brimming with great galleries and studios, including an artists’ co-operative. From fibre art and oil paintings to metalwork and pottery, the island has something for every taste and budget. We’ve rounded up seven great galleries and studios to visit on Salt Spring Island to kickstart your journey.
Where are some of the best galleries and studios on Salt Spring Island?
1. The Glass Foundry
401 Upper Ganges Rd
In the market for some glassware? Hotfoot to Upper Ganges Road to see celebrated artist Mark Lauckner at work. Launched in 1996, the Glass Foundry produces unique glass art that is blown, cast, pressed, etched, fused, and dichroic. What’s more, the glass is recycled too. Every year, the studio produces more than 10,000 items of recycled glass giftware using environmentally responsible technologies that “push the envelope” in this field. Mark hosts workshops and sells his wares in the large gallery showroom too.
2. The Pottery
2909 Fulford-Ganges Rd
The Pottery is a pottery shop and studio located in Fulford Village. If you’re taking the ferry, plan to get to the village early to give yourself time to explore this treasure trove of pottery, jewellery, candles, textiles, soap, woodwork, fine art, woven baskets, coffee, tea, music and more. The studio sells works by more than 50 local artists from Saltspring and Vancouver Island, including Saltspring Island-born Erin Morris. Many of Erin’s works are available to purchase from the studio, and can also be viewed at private collections across the globe.
3. Mudpuppy Studios
148 Cormorant Crescent
Run by John and Francine, Mudpuppy Studio has been a staple on the Salt Spring studio run since 2014. It’s a private studio, located in the Channel Ridge area of Salt Spring Island, minutes from the ferry at Vesuvius Bay. The pair produce a huge variety of functional salt-fired pottery, including mugs, teapots, dinnerware and bowls, as well as mixed-media sculptures. Pieces are mostly thrown on the potter’s wheel with alterations and additions made by hand in the building.
4. Bohemian Mixed Media Studio
161 Park Drive
For something a little different, head to Bohemian Mixed Media Studio, where self-taught artist Cérika sells wearable sculptures made with copper, stones and leather. You’ll also find her at the Saturday Market.
5. Venter Gallery
115 Fulford-Ganges Rd #3107
Now in its 30th year, Venter Gallery is one of the island’s most renowned art galleries. It’s conveniently located in Ganges too. Most recently, the gallery displayed Kathy Venter’s exhibition, Life, a series of 38 life-size figures, alongside ceramic architectural installations, that have travelled to six prestigious establishments across Canada. The gallery also exhibits works by Deon Venter, who is famous for its large-scale paintings such as My Mother’s Ashes/Anglo Boer Battle Sites.
6. DAMAZU Studio
191 Meyer Road
7. Cast in Stone Vases
61 Thomas Road
Founded by John Quinn (aka “The Vase Guy”), Cast in Stone Vases is just 2 km from Ganges. John specialises in one-of-a-kind vases made with Salt Spring Island Rhodonite and Quartz. His designs incorporate elements of stone masonry, mosaic and lapidary, allowing for and exploiting natural features and variations in stone and minerals. The studio is open on Saturday afternoons from 12-5 pm, or by appointment.
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