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Top 8 Vancouver Day Trips: Chilliwack Artisan Tour
Chilliwack Artisan Tour gets travellers and tourists into the homes and studios of artists in Chilliwack, British Columbia who've chosen to leave the big city to work in a bucolic rural setting.
Artist Kevin Stone of Metal Animation specializes in large-scale, one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional, stainless steel sculptures that have attracted international clientele. His home-based studio is part of the 2012 Chilliwack Artisan Tour.
Chilliwack Artisan Tour showcases the enormous artistic talent of 12 artists in a scenic British Columbia town that's located close enough to Vancouver to get there in under an hour. Just download the brochure and you get a map, a list of studios and galleries, and all the phone numbers and other information you need to guide you through a day of exploration of the arts which is a perfect vacation side-trip from Vancouver, BC.
The local galleries and studios show works from metal animation to water colours to pottery, stoneware, oil paintings, mosaics, wood work and glass creations.
Modeled after the highly successful Circle Farm Tour, which showcases farm vendors in the beautiful Fraser Valley, the Chilliwack Artisan Tour is a rich and rewarding adventure into creativity in a British Columbia rural community. Some of the artists require advanced notice.
Holly McKeen of Greendale Pottery and Country Guest House opens her home to tourists and travellers. On her farm in Greendale, McKeen creates her wares in her studio, and showcases them in her home-based gallery. Pieces range from dinner sets to specialty crystalline vases.
The 14-acre farm is also featured on Chilliwack, BC's Circle-Farm Tour for its organic beef and fresh eggs. McKeen believes the two play well together.
“It’s a complimentary combination of the peaceful scenery, artisan and food,” McKeen said.
While the artists are spread out across Chilliwack, many of the studios are in the same neighborhood, so you spend the afternoon in Yarrow, which is near Cultus Lake, and then head down the road to Greendale.
The Chilliwack Artisan Tour offers opportunities to enter into the world of the local artists year round. Off-season, you'll encounter no crowds. Summer brings travellers and vacationers from around the world, so it can get more crowded.
The beauty of the Chilliwack area, with views of the famed British Columbia mountains, isn’t just a draw for travellers and toursits. It's a source of inspiration for the artists.
“We’re all creating gallery-quality work, but simply happen to be doing it in the country,” said McKeen. “You’ll be amazed by the experience. Come out, bring your friends, and make a day of it."
Five of the unique artists taking part this year’s Chilliwack, British Columbia Artisan Tour include:
Chilliwack Artisan Tour Metal Animation: Artist Kevin Stone specializes in large-scale, one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional, stainless steel sculptures that have attracted international clientele. www.metalanimation.com
Chilliwack Artisan Tour Light Sculptures: Emily Carr graduate Sylvie Roussel-Janssens combines lighting, fabric and welded wire to create magical shapes and images in her abstract pieces. www.lsclight.ca
Chilliwack Artisan Tour Wisteria Studios: The studio features original designs created by artist Linda Phelps. The pieces include jewelry, watercolours, oil canvases and porcelain. www.ArtistLindaPhelps.com
Thank you to the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze for sponsoring the "Top 8 Day Trips from Vancouver" series.
Chilliwack Artisan Tour Inspired Arts and Gifts: Representing local and B.C. artists, the location carries a variety of work, ranging from scarves, to jewelry, and glass creations. www.inspiredartsandgifts.com
Chilliwack Artisan Tour Greendale Pottery and Country Guest House: The 14-acre farm is home to a gallery and studio where Holly McKeen creates and showcases a variety of functional stoneware in bright contemporary glaze colours, and unique designs. www.greendalepottery.com
The full list of artists taking part in the 2012 Chilliwack Artisan Tour will be updated by mid-March. For more information, visit www.tourismchilliwack.com or call 604-858-8121.
Thank you to the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze for sponsoring the "Top 8 Vancouver Day Trips" series.
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