Tourism Victoria's Latest News: Victoria Arts, Heritage And Culture Guide Summer 2009#links
See over 265 local B.C. artists work at Side Street Studio 737 Humboldt Street (opposite the Marriott Hotel) and 2240 Oak Bay Avenue - jewellery , pottery, wood turnings, glass are, textiles, first nations art & west coast art.
For over 25 years Side Street has been offering unique and original local artists work. Shipping is world wide with FedEx.
www.sidestreetstudio.com
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Support Your Local Artists!
Victoria and B.C. in general have a wealth of artistic talent; possibly one of the greatest concentrations in North America. Art benefits all who live or who visits this beautiful region. But the survival of our artists to practise their art is under greater threat than ever before.
B.C. and Vancouver Island in particular have become increasingly expensive places in which to live and artists rarely earn huge sums of money, so the pressure to move to more affordable provinces is growing. Most of the local media takes scant notice of our artists unless they fall into the 'fine art' category and are 'established'. No surprise really as Victoria is a relatively small city and journalists, like most people, wish to be associated with 'success'.
But so often they miss the point that 'art' is not just reserved for a few high level individuals - it embraces all forms of creativity. Be they potters, jewellery makers, wood turners and carvers, textile, glass artists and photographers.
All these arts are creative and well worth our attention. Unfortunately, the focus by local 'champagne' journalists on 'fine' art' leads people to believe that 'art' is for the few who can afford it. How often have you heard, "I love it but it's far too expensive for me". Which is both sad and misguided.
Almost everyone can afford to own a piece of local art. Magnificent wood turnings or decorative pottery can add presence & style to a home. Well crafted jewellery is can be both stylish and classic. Our local glass artists produce work that is good enough to be presented as a gift by our Prime Minister to other heads of state!
Yet when did you last read in the local media about such outstanding work.....? Visitors to Victoria are confronted by an array of 'tat' - junk imported for far off countries which can be found in any tourist centre anywhere in the world. We strongly believe that visitors would like to see 'locally' made work rather than cheap T shirts on Government Street.
Take a moment to visit your local artists' studio or visit your local artists' co-op and see for yourself the magnificent work that is avaliable. Local artists markets and craft shows can be a source of excellent work and are fun and well worth the time for a visit. But be sure to check that work is really made locally.
At Side Street Studio we have been supporting local artists for over 25 years. Currently we represent over 265 local artists and have just opened our second studio at 737 Humboldt Street (opposite the Marriott Hotel).
We have huge ranges of all forms of local artists work. You can see just some on our web site http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/ or even read about some of our artists work in their blog at www.sidestreetstudio.com/blog/
So while you may not hear about local artists work in the media - ignore the T shirts and come and support your local artists be it in Victoria or in any local studio! Keep your hard earned $ in B.C.!
B.C. and Vancouver Island in particular have become increasingly expensive places in which to live and artists rarely earn huge sums of money, so the pressure to move to more affordable provinces is growing. Most of the local media takes scant notice of our artists unless they fall into the 'fine art' category and are 'established'. No surprise really as Victoria is a relatively small city and journalists, like most people, wish to be associated with 'success'.
But so often they miss the point that 'art' is not just reserved for a few high level individuals - it embraces all forms of creativity. Be they potters, jewellery makers, wood turners and carvers, textile, glass artists and photographers.
All these arts are creative and well worth our attention. Unfortunately, the focus by local 'champagne' journalists on 'fine' art' leads people to believe that 'art' is for the few who can afford it. How often have you heard, "I love it but it's far too expensive for me". Which is both sad and misguided.
Art is for everyone. All of our local artists' work is both of great value and superb quality. Much art is functional - look at the local potters work for bowls, dishes, mugs, casseroles or wood turners for salad & fruit bowls - well cared for these can last a lifetime.
Almost everyone can afford to own a piece of local art. Magnificent wood turnings or decorative pottery can add presence & style to a home. Well crafted jewellery is can be both stylish and classic. Our local glass artists produce work that is good enough to be presented as a gift by our Prime Minister to other heads of state!
Yet when did you last read in the local media about such outstanding work.....? Visitors to Victoria are confronted by an array of 'tat' - junk imported for far off countries which can be found in any tourist centre anywhere in the world. We strongly believe that visitors would like to see 'locally' made work rather than cheap T shirts on Government Street.
Take a moment to visit your local artists' studio or visit your local artists' co-op and see for yourself the magnificent work that is avaliable. Local artists markets and craft shows can be a source of excellent work and are fun and well worth the time for a visit. But be sure to check that work is really made locally.
At Side Street Studio we have been supporting local artists for over 25 years. Currently we represent over 265 local artists and have just opened our second studio at 737 Humboldt Street (opposite the Marriott Hotel).
We have huge ranges of all forms of local artists work. You can see just some on our web site http://www.sidestreetstudio.com/ or even read about some of our artists work in their blog at www.sidestreetstudio.com/blog/
So while you may not hear about local artists work in the media - ignore the T shirts and come and support your local artists be it in Victoria or in any local studio! Keep your hard earned $ in B.C.!
It really is a use it or lose it situation.
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