Gabriola Studio and Gallery Tour

Gabriola Island is only a 20-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo Harbour, 13-16 times a day. Gabriola is a wonderful island with a laidback lifestyle quite different from life in the city. There are lovely coastlines and parks, intriguing shops, inviting country roads, and flamboyant, creative people. Lunch at the Silva Bay yacht club is always great.

One of the best times to visit is in early October when the Gabriola Arts Council organizes the Thanksgiving Studio and Gallery Tour, an annual event since 1997. In 2006, 55 studios and galleries exhibiting the work of 91 local artists and craftspeople (some of them of international renown) were open to the public. On October 11, 12, 13, 2008, 96 artists will participate, one-third of them new this year.

The Society's annual guide booklet always makes locating the studios and galleries a breeze, and admission to all venues is free! If you'd like to peruse the entire repertoire, you'll need to take wheels with you as the island is about 15 kilometers long and there's no public transportation. However, a few of the studios are within walking distance of the Descanso Bay Ferry Terminal. Our photos show some of the participants in the 2006 event.

To view the photos, click on the thumbnails below.
Gabriola Island Ferry Gabriola, Moonfire Studio, Paul Grignon Gabriola, Dianna Bonder Studios Gabriola, Lesley Harris

The 20-minute ride from Nanaimo to Gabriola Island.

Paul Grignon, master of acrylic painting, at Moonfire Studio.

Dianna Bonder, writer and illustrator of children's books.

Intricate beaded art accessories by Lesley Harris.
Gabriola, The Barking Dog Studio Gabriola, Patchwork Quilts Gabriola, Glass Art Gabriola, Sunstone Pottery

Maarten Perera's copper and silver leaf based acrylics.

Patchwork and quilts by textile artist Kristin Miller.

The brightly colored glass art of Tammy Hudgeon.

The functional stoneware pottery of Graham Sheehan.
Gabriola, Still Point Pottery Studio Gabriola, Driftwood Sculpture Gabriola Studios, Abstracts Gabriola Gingerbread Gallery

Gem Chang-Kue's innovative Still Point Pottery Studio.

Painted driftwood sculptures by Rick Cranston.

Abstract mixed media paintings by Shena Meadowcroft.

Gabriola Gingerbread Gallery of Lynn Van Herwaarden.
Gabriola, Stone Heaters Gabriola, Glassworks Gabriola, Cherryl Reed Designs Gabriola, Driftwood Furniture

Ken Tocheniuk's natural stone heaters warmed by tealights.

The striking stained glass windows of Jane Ferland.

Enter the boutique of fashion designer Cherryl Reed.

Gus Lund, creator of sturdy furniture from driftwood.