Winter Art Show on Saturna

Winter has arrived... even on Saturna Island! (There were snow sightings on the main road...)

ArtSaturna members have put together a winter show, on display at the Saturna Point Store Gallery, above the Pub, right next to the ferry dock. Come and enjoy an interesting selection of paintings, watercolours, textiles, photos, ceramics and wood pieces.

June Art Show on Saturna Island

Come and take a look at the latest work of Saturna artists. 
Opening reception: Sunday, June 21, from 2 - 4 pm.
Light refreshments and artists present.

The gallery is located right by the ferry dock, Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island.

Our featured artist for this show is Janet Strayer, whose paintings are also are currently on display at the Saturna Café  (until July 9) in a solo show entitled Of Fables and Myths. You can see Janet's current work online (click here). 

May Art Show on Saturna Island

It's spring time, and time for a new show at the Saturna Point Store Gallery! 

Come and take a look at the latest work of Saturna artists. 
Opening reception: Sunday, May 3rd, from 2 - 4 pm.
Light refreshments and artists present.

Right by the ferry dock, Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island.

Inter-Island Culture Shock: It's a Good Thing

View from inside boat

Galiano  and Saturna are two small islands in the Salish Sea. They are part of a beautiful archipelago called the Gulf Islands (in Canada) and the San Juans (in the US).  Sitting nicely across from Vancouver, BC, regularly scheduled daily ferries take you to these wonder spots. Day trips from island to island, though, are not so easy -- unless you have a hardy boat: some of the water passages are tricky. 

around Galiano dock

I live on Saturna and I'm a painter, as you may know from earlier posts. Each island here is different from the others. But I guess they all share something of an "island culture". One way I glimpse this culture-shift in myself  (I spend half the week on-island and half in Vancouver) is as easy as looking in the mirror. I look different once my feet hit island ground. My face broadens, my eyes deepen, my feet tread differently. 

Janet Strayer & Jack Campbell

Not surprisingly, these islands call to creative artists of all sorts. They're magical in nature, filled with sea and sky and trees and creatures, with breathing room for inspiration, and isolated enough to let one listen to, and do, what creatively is called for.

Although each island has a "culture", planned inter-island cultural events aren't common.  So I want to celebrate one on Galiano that features several Saturna painters and fabric artists.

Insight Gallery entryway

With the help of a small grant, a group of us were picked up by boat at the Saturna dock on a gorgeous day and sped off royally to Galiano (half hour away). Similar arrangements had been made to transport a group of visitors from other nearby islands.  

Saturna artists were escorted from the dock via a cute little bus that took  us to the Insight Gallery, built for showing art in this lovely setting and run by Tish Saunders. We were made so welcome, with food and wine and great company.

It was amazing to see how beautifully the show of paintings and fabric art had been displayed. The setting was just right. And the poetry reading  added another art form to the visual. You can follow more about this show, running all September, on the ArtSaturna website.

The opening party was yesterday, and what a treat it was. People flocked in all afternoon. They were interested and interesting, including a large contingent of fellow artists of all persuasions. 

It was terrific to hear all the laudatory comments and insights. I think all the participating artists shared my enthusiasm. Why curb it?  I want personally to thank several people, all new to me, in whose glowing remarks I still bask. How generous of you.

Lest you think only the big city artists do it, several island-dwelling artists I met told me their works sell out yearly on island! So, maybe "making it" as an artist doesn't  have to go the big city route. I'm no expert on this, but I know there are many out there who may be. What do you think?

Today's Thought

How can you not have an adventure when you live on an island?

-- Janet

Opening Reception at Insight Gallery, Galiano

On a beautiful day, seven Saturna artists and a poet went on a boat ride and visited another island for a party... How much fun was it? Lots of fun!  Insight Gallery, on Galiano Island, warmly hosted the opening reception for the Saturna Artists Show, which continues until September 28. If you can get to Galiano, don't miss it.

It was exciting to see the array of styles and media on display in the gallery. 

We would like to thank Tish Saunders, artist and gallery owner, who organized this whole escapade for us, down to boat and bus transport. Tish invited an interested crowd to the opening and everyone was treated to a reading of select poems by Ellen McGinn.

Ellen McGinn, reading poems at Insight Gallery, Galiano Island, BC

It was a lively crowd, with loud conversations going on, a lot of networking, and we noticed some early  sales! Great vibe in the room...

Tish Saunders, above, introduced everyone and described the goal of this initiative, which is to build cultural links across the water, with the generous support of the Trincomali Community Arts Council. During the reception, we were able to meet many artists from Galiano and from Mayne islands, including several directors of the Trincomali Arts Council, which was an additional treat!

And after the party, while regretting that we had to go home... we certainly enjoyed the beauty of the sunset. A beautiful end to a visually-rich day.