| Victoria and British Columbia in general have a wealth | | | | functional - look at the local potters work for bowls, |
| of artistic talent; possibly one of the greatest | | | | dishes, mugs, casseroles or wood turners for salad & |
| concentrations in North America. Art benefits all who | | | | fruit bowls - well cared for these can last a lifetime. |
| live or who visits this beautiful region. But the survival | | | | Almost everyone can afford to own a piece of local |
| of our artists to practice their art is under greater | | | | art. Magnificent wood turnings or decorative pottery |
| threat than ever before. | | | | can add presence & style to a home. Well crafted |
| B.C. and Vancouver Island in particular have become | | | | jewellery is can be both stylish and classic. Our local |
| increasingly expensive places in which to live and | | | | glass artists produce work that is good enough to be |
| artists rarely earn huge sums of money ($15.6k p.a. in | | | | presented as a gift by our Prime Minister to other |
| the 2006 Census), so the pressure to move to more | | | | heads of state! Yet when did you last read in the |
| affordable provinces is growing. | | | | local media about such outstanding work.....? |
| Most of the local media takes scant notice of our | | | | Visitors to Victoria are confronted by an array of 'tat' |
| artists unless they fall into the 'fine art' category and | | | | - junk imported for far off countries which can be |
| are 'established'. No surprise really as Victoria is a | | | | found in any tourist centre anywhere in the world. |
| relatively small city and journalists, like most people, | | | | We strongly believe that visitors would like to see |
| wish to be associated with 'success'. | | | | 'locally' made work rather than cheap T shirts sold on |
| But so often they miss the point that 'art' is not just | | | | our streets. |
| reserved for a few high level individuals - it embraces | | | | Take a moment to visit your local artists' studio or |
| all forms of creativity. Be they potters, jewellery | | | | visit your local artists' co-op and see for yourself the |
| makers, wood turners and carvers, textile, glass | | | | magnificent work that is available. Local artists |
| artists and photographers. | | | | markets and craft shows can be a source of |
| All these arts are creative and well worth our | | | | excellent work and are fun and well worth the time |
| attention. Unfortunately, the focus by local | | | | for a visit. But be sure to check that work is really |
| 'champagne' journalists on 'fine' art' leads people to | | | | made locally. |
| believe that 'art' is for the few who can afford it. | | | | So while you may not hear about local artists work in |
| How often have you heard, "I love it but it's far too | | | | the media - ignore the T shirts and come and |
| expensive for me". Which is both sad and misguided. | | | | support your local artists be it in Vancouver, Victoria |
| Art is for everyone. All of our local artists' work is | | | | or in any local studio! Keep your hard earned $ in B.C.! |
| both of great value and superb quality. Much art is | | | | It really is a use them or lose them situation. |