One of Vancouver Island’s longest-running studio tours will take place October 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Saanich Peninsula. This year’s self-guided tour has attracted 29 talented artists from Brentwood Bay, North Saanich and Sidney and marks a historic 25th anniversary.
“We’re fortunate to have the fall Studio Tour follow on the heels of the Sidney Fine Art Show,” says Wendy Picken, one of the tour organizers and an artist herself. “If someone sees art work they like at the Sidney Show, that artist may also be part of the studio tour which gives people a chance to see more of their work in a studio setting.”
With many new artists involved as well as long-time favourites, art lovers will be able to enjoy a wide variety of genres through paintings, metal and fabric sculptures, pottery, woodcuts, wearable art, jewelry and more. The tour also gives visitors a chance to explore the beauty of the Saanich Peninsula.
The majority of artists on the tour will display and demonstrate their art in their home studios while a few will group their work in one setting, such as Russell Nursery near Deep Cove. A good starting point is the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, Sidney where four artists will be demonstrating their art form.
A colourful brochure with self-guiding map is available at numerous locations around the Saanich Peninsula and in Victoria. A complete list of places carrying the brochure is available at www.artsea.ca under “Events – Studio Tour.” The brochure contains write-ups about the artists and their type of artwork which makes it easy to decide on a route. Wendy suggests: “Give yourself plenty of time – the full two days – to be able to browse and talk to the artists about their techniques and creative inspiration.”
According to the tour organizers, one of the best outcomes from the tour is that artists get feedback from the visitors which can further spark their creativity.
During the studio tour, visitors have the opportunity to explore the Peninsula and enjoy its rural scenery encompassing wineries, pumpkin fields, forested parks, marinas, scenic Mount Baker (on a clear day), market gardens, country stores and garden nurseries. The ArtSea Gallery at Tulista Park is right beside the waterfront pathway that takes walkers into downtown Sidney where they can enjoy its small-town ambiance.
Wendy is proud of the fact that the studio tour has been bringing the community together for 25 years, making it “a good way for new residents to be introduced to the Peninsula art community.”
