Short films featuring local arts and cultural practitioners. Experience a virtual studio visit and enjoy artist demonstrations, view recent works, and to learn about artist inspirations and the reasons why they produce the work they love.
ArtSea is pleased to showcase the amazing talent and the diverse work of the talented artists and artisans on the Saanich Peninsula, including Coast Salish art, painting, photography, wood turning, metal and fabric, multimedia, and story telling.
Welcome to the Virtual Artist Tour!
Thank you to our wonderful 2021 VAT Team: Tori Jones (producer) and Wendy Picken (Committee Lead), and their wonderful team of volunteers that worked to organize and present this program in 2020 and 2021! ArtSea was pleased to provide an opportunity for local artists and artisans to share their work during the pandemic. In 2022, ArtSea is returning to the in-person ArtSea Studio Tour program (CLICK TO LEARN MORE), and will not be producing Virtual Artist Tour Videos – but please continue to enjoy our collection of VAT feature videos below.
Tori Jones, Feature Film Producer of the Virtual Artist Tour
Wendy Picken, VAT Committee Lead, and author/ multimedia artist
Kara Barkved, abstract
Suzanna Bates, beekeeper & encaustic
Marilyn Chapman, mixed media
Jin Chung, oil painter
Aviv Dekel, multimedia
Nancy Dolan, painter & photographer
Wendy Duffield, multimedia
Francoise Dunstan, mixed media
Debbie Elkins, potter
Krysia Gallien, painter
Leah Gray, photography
Victoria Heryet, multimedia
Dave Hutchison, photographer
Donna Jean, acrylic
Sarah Jim, Coast Salish artist
Karen Lancey, Metal Mermaid Welding
.Tim Sheena Lott, watercolor & oil
Sheila Mather, oil & acrylic
Mary Anne Neal, author
Kerry O’Gorman, felt artist
.Tim Tim Soutar, wood turning, wo
Piers Island Gallery
Sue Starkey, mixed media
Mara Szyp, painter
Cheryl Taschuk, nature photography
Sandy Terry, nature artist
Tracy Yerrell, fibre art
2020 Virtual Artist Tour Videos
Please enjoy the Virtual Artist Tour videos that were created in 2020 as a way to share the work of our local artists and artisans with the community. We hope that you are inspired to connect with the artists; click the artist name to learn more about the artist by visiting their ArtSea Member Profile, or check out the ArtSea social media channels (@ArtSeaCommunityArtsCouncil) and comment on your favourite video. Feel free to share the links with friends and art enthusiasts.
Many Thanks to:
- Tori Jones for her expert filming and editing of these fantastic Virtual Artist Tour feature videos.
- Wendy Picken, Studio Tour Committee Lead, for investing her time and energy to coordinate artists filming sessions and going above and beyond to provide support for our local artists!
- Our fantastic ArtSea Member Artists who welcomed us into their studios so that we could share some arts and culture with the community.
- The Town of Sidney, the District of North Saanich, and the Province of BC through the BC Arts Council for making this project possible.
- Wayne McNiven, 2020 ArtSea Vice President and Virtual Tour Committee Lead, who volunteered countless hours to make the Virtual Artist Tour project a reality.
2021 Virtual Artist Tour – Participant Info.
Learn More about participating in the 2021 Virtual Artist Tour
Who can participate?
Are you an arts and culture practitioner who would like to share your work with the community in a short feature video?
The 2021 Virtual Artist Tour is open to all ArtSea Members. If you are a visual artist, writer, dancer, musician, film producer, or work in the field of arts and culture, ArtSea would love to share your art form with the community!
- *Registration fee: $0
- Limited spaces available: Only 30 artist videos will be produced in 2021, so don’t miss this great opportunity. Fill out the registration form below.
*ArtSea is foregoing the registration fee for the 2021 Virtual Artist Tour in an effort to support arts and culture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How are the videos filmed and produced?
Our Virtual Artist Tour Committee Lead, Wendy Picken (or one of her expert assistants), along with our amazing film producer, Tori Jones, will visit participant studios (or a pre-arranged space) to record the artist video and take photos of artwork or the art form.
** Strict health and safety protocols are followed by ArtSea representatives, and are also expected of participants. **
What is the format of the Virtual Artist films?
The format of the Virtual Artist Tour films is kept very simple; artists introduce themselves and/or their studios, speak about or demonstrate their art form, and finish by saying goodbye and sharing contact information.
Is there a fee to participate in the 2021 Virtual Artist Tour?
GREAT NEWS! ArtSea is foregoing the registration fee for the 2021 Virtual Artist Tour in an effort to support arts and culture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a registration fee of $75 to help cover some production costs.
All Virtual Artist Tour participants must have a current (2021) ArtSea Membership.
Learn More about purchasing or renewing your ArtSea Membership.
How to prepare for filming – Tips and Tricks
How to prepare:
- Think about and practice introducing yourself – how would you like to greet ‘guests’ (viewers)?
- Prepare a short Artist’s Statement and/or bio and rehearse this in front of a mirror or read it to a partner, friend or spouse (this can be help reduce nervousness).
- Make a list of 3-5 talking points to prepare for filming. Consider answers to these common questions:
- What is most important for viewers to know about you and your artwork?
- How did you get your start?
- What kept you motivated through this last year?
- What are you really passionate about?
- What advice would you give younger artists just starting their artistic journey?
- Participants will be asked to share photos of their work, or have work available during the meeting that can be photographed and possibly used as part of the film.
Requirements and Guidelines for Virtual Artist Tour Participants
- All Virtual Artist Tour Participants must have a current (2021) ArtSea Membership.
Learn More about purchasing or renewing your ArtSea Membership.
There is a nominal registration fee of $75* for the 2021 ArtSea Virtual Artist Tour to help cover some production costs.- The 2021 Virtual Artist Tour is open to ArtSea members living on the Saanich Peninsula (or that can arrange a location for filming on the Saanich Peninsula).
- 2021 Virtual Artist Tours are designed to share only original, recently produced work (unless showing a progression of work through time).
- Participants will prepare for filming ahead of time (practice sharing their artist statement or bio, and have all material that needs to be photographed ready and available).
- Prospective purchasers will contact participants directly (participants are encouraged to share their websites and contact information at the end of their Virtual Artist Tour video).
- Participants will have the opportunity to view and approve their feature video before it is published and promoted on the ArtSea website and social media channels. Minor fixes or adjustments to the film may be considered, but the final decision regarding changes will be determined by ArtSea. It will not be possible to make major revisions or re-record participant videos.
Register for the 2021 Virtual Artist Tour
The Virtual Artist Tour will be limited to 30 participants in 2021 (spaces are filled on a first-come, first served basis), so don’t miss this great opportunity to share your work with the community!
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2021
