Mahon Hall in Ganges is transformed into an arts and crafts gallery every summer
No doubt about it . . . . the islands are synonymous with arts and culture.
It bursts from shop windows, galleries, markets, roadsides, restaurants, community halls, ArtSpring and the schools.
Musicians perform at cafes, pubs and special events, and sell their CDs throughout the islands and on the Internet.
Artists and craftspeople show their work in home studios and village galleries, at craft fairs and the Salt Spring Arts Council's ArtCraft and WinterCraft sales.
Authors read their words aloud and sell them printed in local bookstores, and thespians and dancers entrance their audiences on indoor and outdoor stages.
An island visit isn't complete without taking home a piece of creativity, in either solid or memory form.
Soak it up!
ARTS INFUSION
Salt Spring deserves its stellar arts reputation
High-quality basketry produced on Salt Spring
Tourists have reported again and again that when it comes to Salt Spring, nothing is a bigger draw than its reputation as a centre for the arts. The infusion of art into daily life is immediately evident - coffee shops and financial institutions double as gallery space, while a constant lineup of fine musicians from all genres are billed at intimate local venues.
Matt Steffich, a musician and owner of the gallery Steffich Fine Art, says every town is at its heart an art town, but what makes Salt Spring different is the high quality of art being produced.
"In a population of 10,000 people anywhere, you might find one good photographer," Steffich observes. "But here we have a half dozen that are considered really good."
It's not just photography where locals excel: islanders participating on the national level are numerous in all the visual arts. It's no wonder that people with names like Robert Bateman and Nick Bantock have chosen to make the community their home. This became clearer than ever during last year's inaugural Masterpiece Weekend, a show of artists' best single works.
Mahon Hall in Ganges is the location for annual ArtCraft and WinterCraft sales and exhibitions; Grace Point Square is filled with fine art galleries featuring local artists, and many other locations are a few minutes' walk away. Merchants' Mews, just outside Ganges, has become home to a roster of high-end studios - to get there, travel out of town past the turn to Long Harbour. Stop on the way to walk a public sculpture trail sponsored by Hastings House Country Resort, just up the road from the excellent Salt Spring Woodworks Gallery. In the south end, a mini tour of local studios is best started at the small but innovative gallery called The Point.
The performing arts are fertile here, and the island is also home to several well-known musicians and actors who have spread their influence to support community activities.
Strong arts programming at Gulf Islands Secondary School encourages island youth and international students to develop both the skills and appreciation for the life-enriching performing arts. End-of-term productions by theatre, dance and music classes regularly sell out - and you don't have to be a relative to find their performances amazingly accomplished.
Musicianship is a strong tradition on the island, and summer brings live performances to many cafes and pubs. The Tree House Cafe has performers every night of the week in the summer, with audiences spilling over into the nearby pathway. Nearby Shipstones, plus the Harbour House Hotel, The Local, the Fulford Inn and Moby's Oyster Bar and Marine Grill are among the establishments with regular live music.
Look out for announcements of free shows in Centennial Park, world music events at Beaver Point or Fulford halls, or Mahon Hall in non-summer months, the Salt Spring Folk Club (www.saltspringfolkclub.ca) and the Music and Munch series of free recitals at All Saints By-the-Sea Church on Park Drive in Ganges.
ArtSpring's summer series often captures the fun side of seriously good music, with shows featuring delta blues, hot Latin jazz or Acadian swing.
Community theatre entertains audiences all through the year, with several groups anchored by experienced theatre pros. Summer often brings special treats like productions of Shakespeare in the park, while aerial arts productions by Flying Dreams, performed in the amazing "Temple" on the island's north end, are not to be missed.
For up-to-date event information, pick up a copy of the Driftwood newspaper, published Wednesdays, and the free Friday Weekender edition. Visit the online calendar at www.gulfislandstourism.com/calendar.htm.