The ArtSea Studio Tour is one of Vancouver Island’s longest running self-guided studio tours.
The 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour took place on October 15th and 16th, 2022
Thanks to everyone that came out to see the talents and treasures on the Saanich Peninsula!
Download a PDF version of the 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Poster
2022 ArtSea Studio Tour – Printed Brochure
Pick up your hard-copy brochure at the following locations:
(or click the image to download your own PFD copy of the brochure).
- The ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park, Sidney
- The Sidney Information Centre, Beacon Ave
- McTavish Academy of Art, North Saanich
- Deep Cove Market, North Saanich
- Tanners Books, Sidney
- Beacon Books, Sidney
- Village Gallery, Sidney
- Peninsula Gallery, Sidney
- Sidney Pier Hotel
- The Fickle Fig (Mills Rd), North Saanich
- The Brentwood Bay Village Emporium
- Red Barn Market, Mattick’s Farm, Vic.
- Mitchel Farms, Central Saanich
- The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
- Ivy’s Books, Victoria
- Munros Books, Victoria
- Side Street Studio, Victoria
Remembering Betty Rollins
Betty was a long time member of ArtSea Community Arts Council and She loved welcoming visitors to her home/studio during the Studio Tours.
Elisabeth Rollins Studio was always # 1 in the tour brochure. She generously opened her home, hosting every Spring and Fall the After Tour potluck gathering for the participating artists.
Thank you Betty.
2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Media Coverage
2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Article in the Peninsula News Review – October 13, 2022
A highlight on the local arts calendar returns to its full form this weekend when 30 artists from around the Saanich Peninsula open their studios to audiences as part of the 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour.
The tour – which runs Saturday to Sunday (Oct. 15 to 16) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day – gives residents a chance to see local artists in their working environment, to peek behind the scenes so to speak. The tour last happened as an in-person event in October 2019.
Organizer Wendy Picken, who works out of her Mango Smile Studio at 10131 Pleasant St. in Sidney, said she has already heard from people who cannot wait to visit the various studios spread across Sidney and North Saanich. “And the artists are really excited. It feels like there is energy again and we are really looking forward to sharing our studios and our work,” said Picken, who finger paints without paint, combining Stabilo crayon, pastel, china marker and wax polish.
One of those artists is Wendy Duffield, who works out of her Magnolia Art Studio at 1931 Sandover Cres. in North Saanich. Duffield actually plans to take the experience a step further by setting up an outdoor gallery to display her mixed media collages, sculptures and wearable art, which she creates out of found objects.
“I did study to be a jeweller when I was living in Australia and I changed from being a jeweller using traditional materials to using found objects, which are also just as precious as traditional materials,” she said.
“People ask me to integrate these precious objects into a new piece of art that they can wear and pass it down. So while the materials individually are not precious, they combine to create a new kind of precious work.”
The making of something also runs as a theme through the tour itself. “Art is such a personal thing and when I have opened up the studio, there are people from all walks of life with all kinds of experiences,” said Picken. “And there are people who are going through maybe some challenging times and when you meet them in person, there is a bond and a connection forged.”
Picken said the studio tour and the artists who participate in it are a little bit of everything.
“We are a little bit of therapists, we are a little bit of friend,” she said. “It’s not just always about the art. It’s really about making a personal connection and art facilities that opening of the heart and emotions and life experience. It’s something else and I get goosebumps every time I talk about it.”
For more information, see artsea.ca.
wolfgang.depner
@peninsulanewsreview.com
2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Article in the October issue of Seaside Magazine
Information for 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Participants
How to prepare for the Studio Tour – Tips and Tricks (click)
How to prepare:
- Ensure your studio is clearly marked and accessible.
- Make sure your artwork and studio space is clean and inviting.
- Think about how would you like to greet visitors and what information would you like to share? Consider answers to these common questions:
- What is most important for visitors to know about you and your artwork?
- How did you get your start?
- What kept you motivated through the past few years?
- What are you really passionate about?
- What advice would you give younger artists just starting their artistic journey?
Please be informed that some artists and artisans have experienced theft of their work during open studio events in the region.
Please use caution when welcoming visitors into your space!
Requirements and Guidelines for Studio Tour Participants (click)
- There is a non-refundable registration fee of $100 for the 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour.
- All Studio Tour Participants require a current (2021) ArtSea Membership. Learn More
- The 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour is open to all ArtSea members with a studio or display space on the Saanich Peninsula. If you do not have a space that is suitable, but would like to participate in the 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour, please email studiotour@artsea.ca
- Participants will prepare their artwork and studio space ahead of time.
- Participants will provide a tally (count the number of visitors) for each day of the Studio Tour; ArtSea uses this information to report back to the Province of BC, Peninsula Municipalities, and other organizations that provide funding that make this program possible).
2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Registration Details (2022 Registration Closed)
Participant Registration Open: June 1 – July 15, 2022 (Registration Closed)
- The 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour is open to all ArtSea Members with a studio or display space on the Saanich Peninsula.
- 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour Registration fee: $100 (non-refundable) paid at the time of registration.
- Studio Tour participants will have a current (2022) ArtSea Membership. Learn More
- Your studio or venue will be advertised in a hard-copy brochure with a guide, and an online interactive map. The brochure will be available at locations across the Peninsula, and the link to an online interactive map will be available to share on your website or social media channels.
- The 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour will also be advertised through the ArtSea website, social media, and partners network.
- Studio Tour directional signage is available for each participating location (to be collected prior to the Studio Tour weekend and returned after the event).
- Participants can request a pre-tour consultation with Committee Lead, Wendy Picken, to learn new techniques to promote and sell your work, and the dynamics of sales.
- Limited spaces available – don’t miss this great opportunity to share your work with the community. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first served basis until July 15, 2022 (or until all spaces are filled).
- If you have any questions, please email our amazing volunteer Studio Tour Committee Lead, Wendy Picken at: studiotour@artsea.ca
Many Thanks to:
- Our fantastic ArtSea Member Artists who open their studios to share local arts and culture with the community.
- Wendy Picken, Studio Tour Committee Lead, and her team of volunteers for investing time and energy to organize the 2022 ArtSea Studio Tour, and going above and beyond to provide support for our local artists and artisans!
- Wendy was also the lead for our Virtual Artist Tour program (presented in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic, while we were not able to present the in-person Studio Tour).
- Check out the Virtual Artist Tour videos
- The Studio Tour Sign Crew – thanks to everyone the helped to deliver the signage!
ARTSEA WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR LOCAL, PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL PARTNERS!
We acknowledge the financial contribution from the Province of British Columbia, the municipalities of North Saanich and the Town of Sidney, and the support from Central Saanich.
ARTSEA WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS AND PARTNERS!
