Open Doors
Salt Spring Studio Tour
Potter Mark Meredith in his studio
It’s hard to beat Salt Spring for the array of eclectic craftspeople and cultural experiences they offer, and the island’s famous studio tour brings them all within a day’s reach.
Where else in the world can you buy fresh bread and cheese, visit a glass studio, attend a wine tasting, try on some jewellery and even pick up a hemp shirt without driving more than a few kilometres?
With about 40 stops on the self-guided tour, all visitors require is a map and a bit of spare time to see as many studios as they like in any order they wish. Anything goes when you are the tour guide. Studios may feature comprehensive tours and demonstrations explaining how everything is made. Bakeries, wineries and cheese shops will keep the foodies nibbling the day away. Artists are often on site to answer questions about their work, island lore or whatever visitors wish to learn about life on Salt Spring Island.
Valla Eiriksson, a tour member who owns Avanti Glass Studio in Vesuvius Bay, said the tour provides a great overview of what’s happening on the island.
“The tour offers the artists fabulous exposure to people visiting from all over the world,” she said. “The island is now very well known as a place where the arts are appreciated and the arts are unique.”
Colourfully illustrated studio tour maps featuring island studios, hours of operation, tourist attractions, restaurants, parks, lakes and churches are available at tourist information centres in Ganges and Fulford, on ferries serving the island and at participating studios.
“Our maps are among the best available anywhere,” said Eiriksson.
Without the map, New Canoe Glass Studio owners Manuela and Trevor Whelon said, it’s unlikely anybody would stop by their hidden south-end studio on Holmes Road near Isabella Point. They estimate roughly 90 per cent of their business comes from the tour.
How can you be sure you’re at a studio tour spot? They all have the tell-tale blue-lettered, black sheep sign and a number pointing the way on the side of the road.
More information about the tour is available from the tourist info centres in Ganges and Fulford or online at www.saltspringstudiotour.com.
SALT SPRING STUDIO TOUR
Gail Coney Studio
697 Vesuvius Bay Road;
phone: 250-538-1951;
gailconey@saltspring.com;
www.gailconeystudio.com
Vibrant stoneware pottery and decorative, functional glassware to add elegance
to your home. Decoupage clocks in various styles and sizes. Spoil yourself
or find that special gift.
Julie Mackinnon Ceramics
805 Long Harbour Road;
phone: 250-537-2100;
infoejmacceramics.com;
www.jmacceramics.com
Contemporary clay working studio and gallery. Award-winning handmade
tableware and accessories designed for the individual. Visit our bright,
fun gallery in a gorgeous garden setting! Open year round 11-4 or by
appointment.
Martinus Jewelry Studio
145 Seaview Ave.;
phone: 250-538-1730;
fax: 250-538-1734;
www.martinus-gold.com
Presenting West Coast Spirit and European Tradition. Discover jewelry
of the highest quality and award-winning craftsmanship in gold or platinum
with rare gemstones and fine diamonds. Inquiries and custom designs are
welcomed. Weekend classes available.
Morgain Cuddy Woodturner
866 Isabella Point Road;
phone: 250-653-9845;
mcuddy@telus.net;
www.morgaincuddy.com
Turned wooden salad bowls and decorative pieces from local woods. Also,
Ramona Reigel’s cutting boards and salad servers. Custom woodturning
available. Wooden bowls make wonderful wedding presents or special occasion
gifts. Come by and take a look!
Sacred Mountain Lavender
401 Musgrave Road;
phone: 250-653-2315;
fax: 250-653-2360;
info@sacredmountainlavender;
www.sacredmountainlavender.com
Boutique lavender farm with two acres of organically grown lavender and
hand-crafted culinary and spa lavender products available at our gift
shop. We grow and distill our own lavender essential oil. Open Wed, Thurs,
Fri, and Sunday from 10-4 and available at the Saturday Market.
Salt Spring Island Bread Co.
251 Forest Ridge Rd.;
phone: 250-653-4809
Organic artisan bread baked in a wood-fired oven.
Salt Spring Island Cheese Co.
285 Reynolds Road;
phone: 250-653-2300;
fax: 250-653-2308
Handmade sheep and goat cheeses. Self-guided tours, tastings and sales.
Open daily.
Stoneridge Pottery
520 Long Harbour Road;
phone: 250-537-9252;
cherneff@telus.net
For over 32 years, Gary has been represented in public and private collections
as far afield as Japan, England, Australia, the U.S.A. and Canada. Fine
dinnerware, one of a kind pots in porcelain, stoneware, raku, woodfire
and terra cotta.
Sunset Farm
1325 Sunset Drive;
phone: 250-537-2082;
sunsetfarm@saltspring.com
Come to the farm for: lamb by the piece or box (government inspected),
wool socks, comforters and knitting wool, sheepskin rugs and slippers
and candles, handmade and beautiful. Well worth the visit!
Ulrieke Benner Art You Wear Studio Gallery
400 Old Scott Road;
phone: 250-537-1723;
ulrieke@saltspring.com;
www.ubtextilearts.com
Individual fashion, featured in exclusive galleries internationally.
Art You Wear in handmade felted and dyed silk fabrics. Straw and felt
hats, vests and jackets, scarves and shawls in unique colours and designs.
Felt necklaces. Wall art and home accents.