SALT SPRING ISLAND ACCOMMODATION

THE BEACH HOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST

A Colony of Cultural Arts and 1000 Lifestyles

Salt Spring’s cultural persona defies description----but I will try. It still appears to be a secret to a vast portion of the world but articles in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Herald as well as the New York Times and Globe and Mail are giving us a much larger profile to the outside world.

Many are discovering Salt Spring not only for Outdoor Adventure but for its diverse culture and with many artistic and creative talents residing here. It attracts both musicians such as Valdy and Randy Bachman who call the island home and world-renowned artists such as Carol Evans and Robert Bateman..

A revised copy of 100 Best Art Towns in North America, an American publication, included Salt Spring in their list. The current crop of artists and artisans has given Salt Spring a cultural reputation that has blossomed dramatically in the last quarter century, but the foundation for the island’s endless variety of lifestyles goes back to the original settlers.

From the earliest black and Kanaka communities of the 1860s and 70’s to the “hippie invasion” a century later, Salt spring has adopted a live-and-let-live attitude to most people and philosophies. It is a place where freedom and cultural expression are soul mates. Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Art cannot thrive except where men (and women) are free to be themselves.” Salt Spring has proven that where freedom reigns, art does follow.

How to View the Works of Our Fine Artisans.

Artcraft Where craft is fine art.Annual Summer Exhibition a& Sale of work by 200 Gulf Island Artists. It runs from Mid May thru mid September at Mahon Hall, located in Ganges.

This exhibition offers a great selection of works from the various guilds including pottery, weaving, fabric art, glasswork, woodworking, jewelry making and of course the painter’s guild is also well represented. The quality is exceptional and a great way to see a lot of beautiful treasures if your time is limited.

The Guilds also host a pre Christmas Show in late November at Mahon Hall.

The Gallery Walk features a tour map to downtown Ganges galleries. It is a self- guided tour that invites you to enjoy our diverse and beautiful galleries, featuring art and craft from regional artists and around the world. Most galleries are open daily and some are open late Friday evenings during the summer. Winter hours may be in effect at some galleries. Enjoy your tour.

Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art has a fine collection of both local artists and many collectibles including Emily Carr and The Group of Seven. Steffich Fine Art and J. Mitchell Gallery, in close proximity to each other, are in Grace Point Square. Both galleries host various shows through the year and are real treasures, not to be missed.

Jill Louise Campbell Gallery is located in the Ganges core across from The Tree House Restaurant. Jill has been an established Salt Spring artist for many years and her gallery houses a great display of her works, many reflecting her worldly travels.

Each gallery has their own website but for an overview of the exceptional art services and fine art on the island check out www.saltspringfineart.com for more details.

Studio Tour Map A Self-guided Tour of 42 Artist Studios.

These artisans open their home studios to the public and invite you to view their little piece of paradise where they express their creative spirit using a wide range of mediums. Take a self-guided tour of 42 diverse and fascinating artists’ studios located throughout beautiful Salt Spring Island. Meet the individual artists and perhaps take home some special treasures. It is a great way to get off the main roads and view the island vistas from different vantage points.

These maps are available from many accommodation operators, (yes we have them), the Tourist Information Center, and on some of the B.C. Ferry routes.

Artspring - Island Arts Centre Society 100 Jackson Avenue, Ganges

Artspring is considered by many who are attached to Salt Spring as one of the island’s real gems. It was built by the community for the community and it provides a premier venue for concerts, theatre, exhibitions and much more. It is a busy place with an impressive list of concerts and theatre productions happening all year in the 270 seat theatre. Check the Driftwood or Artspring’s web site (see links page) for current performances or call the box office at 250-537-2102.

It also houses the Birgit and Robert Bateman Gallery which showcases selected works from numerous artists on a variety of themes changing every 3 weeks.

In July and August, Artspring hosts world-class performers of all genres in the sizzling Summer Nights Festival

The Music Scene

Music is very much a way of life on Salt spring. Many of the restaurants and pubs have live music scheduled on various nights of the week. Every night from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day live music is performed at The Tree House Café. Many welcomed music lovers gather around the court yard to enjoy the beat.....bring your own chairs if you wish and some change for when they pass the hat. For many of these musicians, this is their livelihood.

Open Mike is also popular at a various venues.......on Salt Spring you can luck out and see some great talent at these events. Live music plays a big role in the success of both Fall Fair and Fulford Day when the Bandstands are fully booked with great talent.
It is best to check The Driftwood for the What's Happening section to see what is going on when you are here.