Southwest Basin: Nelson

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30: ABBY WILSON

Acrylic painting; Landscape painting

Abby Wilson paints her love of the mountains into bright, bold acrylic landscapes. She is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and has participated in numerous group exhibitions. Abby combines art and adventure with plein-air painting, hiking studies down from the mountains into her home studio. Abby’s work is held in private collections in Canada, the US and Europe.

Address:
509 McHardy St., Nelson

Directions:
2nd-last house on dead-end street

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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31: LAINEY BENSON

Acrylic painting; Local scenes

I am a Canadian landscape artist/teacher who paints vibrant and joyful local scenes.

Address:
418 Gore St., Nelson

Directions:
Uphill from Baker St., between Ward St. and Stanley St.

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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32: OVO CERAMIC STUDIO

Ceramic pottery demos on wheel

Early in 2014, Fabiana began taking ceramics classes and began her shift toward becoming a potter. Just two years later she moved to Canada and enrolled in a two-year ceramic studio program at Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson. Since her graduation in 2018, she has been working full-time as a professional potter. Her body of work reflects a line of functional artwork that is intended for daily use in the kitchen and at home. This functional line is primarily wheel-thrown with stoneware clay and glazed with rich, vibrant colours. Her other line is based in slip casting, a process in which she makes plaster moulds and applies liquid porcelain to obtain a thin-walled, translucent piece. Besides her body of work in her studio, Fabiana has been teaching wheel-throwing workshops to beginners, intermediates and advanced students, as well hand-building workshops.

Address:
706 Houston St., Nelson

Directions:
Uphill Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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33: KIMBERLEY HYATT STUDIOS

Animal sketches; Ceramics; Mixed media

As an artist and writer, my inspirations include nature, patterns, colour, humour and human and natural world connections.

Address:
914 Gore St., Nelson

Directions:
Below Mountain Station

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Socials/Contact:

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34: D.E. WALTERS EARTH STUDIOS (DIANE WALTERS)

Pottery demonstrations; Multiple artists; Ceramics

As a lifelong potter (42 years) and the owner of eARTh Studios (Nelson), D.E. Walters has extensive experience working with low-, medium- and high-fire clays and glazes, hand-building, sculpture and wheel techniques. She is always experimenting with form, process and colour in the ceramic medium. She regularly participates in workshops for advanced potters, and annually attends the conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Her work is in galleries in Alberta and BC. She is also a member of the BC Potters Guild.

“For me, pottery as art isn’t about making perfect cups—it’s about expressing what is inside us, which is sometimes bigger than our single selves. When I created the Emergence Line, my intention was to recognize the warmth and light of our humanity in the dishes from which we eat and drink. Playing with the crossing point of warmth and light, a lifeline of colour formed. Out of this lifeline a new story arose. After my Emergence Line came my Epiphany Line, which is a dance of the Emergent colours formally embedded in the story. One way or another, life is expressed through colour. Once my pottery is in the hands of others, the story takes on new shape and becomes their story.”

Address:
1116 Latimer St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a studio and/or gallery exhibiting the work of many artists year-round

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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35: THE HEADWATER COLLECTIVE (SEAN SPENCE)

Reclaimed wood art & décor; Photography; Composite photography; Hand-built reclaimed wood frames

Sean (S.R. Spence) is a local artist and artisan, originally hailing from Nelson and still calling it home, although he currently resides in Okotoks, Alberta. Sean does not limit himself to one style of photography, but rather uses his photography as a creative outlet to manage PTSD, anxiety and depression. His work can be seen at various markets, art shows and the Gallery Suite (Nelson). He uses his work to open up discussion about the topics surrounding mental health and the human experience. He utilizes reclaimed wood and materials to create unique, rustic wood décor and furniture, and builds his own museum-quality reclaimed wood frames.

Address:
eARTh studios, 1116 Latimer St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist participating at someone else’s studio/venue

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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36: ÉLK JEWELLERY (EMILIE LEBLANC KROMBERG)

High-end jewellery; Natural gemstones; Ancient techniques

Emilie Leblanc Kromberg, a recognized professional craftswoman since 2010, loves materials and the various ways of transforming them. This love is visible in her pieces, which demonstrate the prowess of her know-how and her patience. Graduated as a goldsmith in 2006, she devoted herself for several years to her company, élk jewellery. She sells her work internationally through her online store and by selling in well-known trade shows. Her work in gold and silver is mainly made in an ancient Japanese technique called mokume gane. Literally translated as “wood eye metal,” this technique was used in the 17th century to make the famous samurai swords, the katanas. Emilie likes contrasts: she superimposes different metals, works with multiple techniques and uses matte finishes while adding shine with precious stones. Her pieces are very elaborate while maintaining a natural look.

Address:
eARTh studios, 1116 Latimer St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist participating at someone else’s studio/venue

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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37: THE STATION GALLERY AND GIFTS

Over 50 local artists

Be sure to visit the beautiful Station Gallery & Gifts in the restored CP train station that is home to the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce and Nelson Visitor Centre. The Station Gallery features over 50 local artists’ works, as well as cards, gifts and souvenirs.

Address:
91 Baker St., Nelson

Directions:
At end of Baker St. in restored train station

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a studio and/or gallery exhibiting the work of many artists year-round

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Socials/Contact:

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38: MICHAEL GRAHAM

Mixed media; Abstract painting; Assemblages

My work is a raw combination of various media. Its emotional resonance manifests in the imagery of boldly distorted forms. Its unflinching extremes deliver a direct frankness that characterizes my work.

Address:
214 Victoria St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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39: KUTENAI ART THERAPY INSTITUTE

Open studio; Art making

The Open Studio is a space for people of all kinds to come together and make art. Open Studios are drop-in art-making spaces held by art therapy interns and open to the public. Participants will be invited to create art related to the theme or to make spontaneous art. No art experience necessary and no fancy art materials needed. Open Studio is a simple and effective way for people to come to connect, to express and to build resilience and wellness.

Address:
2nd floor, 191 Baker St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a studio and/or gallery exhibiting the work of many artists year-round

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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40: LILLIE & COHOE (LIZ COHOE)

Patternmaking; Stitching; Wearing hats; Understanding hat shapes

For over 30 years, Lillie & Cohoe has created the finest-quality handmade hats from our small studio in the mountains of British Columbia, where every hat is infused with our passion for detail and our love of timeless design. Over the years, we have earned a loyal following of discerning men and women who find beauty in handmade products of exemplary style and craft. We invite you to discover your authentic self in a Lillie & Cohoe hat.

Address:
4 320 Vernon St., Nelson

Directions:
On 2nd floor, access from alley; come in from Stanley St. or Vernon St.

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Socials/Contact:

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41: SOMA SOUND & EVENTS (NADINE HONSINGER)

Music; Healing & expressive arts

SOMA sets the intention to raise people’s vibration, thereby providing a premium and memorable healing experience, facilitated by a selection of qualified practitioners, teachers and artists/musicians. SOMA has a mission to support the art and music industry by way of conscious events. Recognizing the healing power of music, sound and the creative process, SOMA exhibits the art of new artists each month, with an art opening, artist talk and conscious gathering collaborating with local musicians and/or conscious DJs. SOMA is dedicated to bringing about a platform for people to learn and empower themselves with experiential practices and events that are based in the realm of frequency, energy and vibration.

Address:
444C Baker St., Nelson

Directions:
2nd floor, above Maison

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a studio and/or gallery exhibiting the work of many artists year-round

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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42: NELSON MUSEUM, ARCHIVES & GALLERY

Demonstration; Archives; Genealogy

Saturday, July 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.: Join the archives staff and volunteers to discover how you can use the resources in the Shawn Lamb Archives and elsewhere to explore your genealogy and discover more about your history. (Also enjoy free admission to the rest of facility, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Sunday, July 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (the facility is open just for this demo): Attend the beading demo with Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation artist Sandra Jacques as she shares some of her traditional knowledge in this beautiful artform.

Address:
502 Vernon St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a museum, heritage site or cultural centre

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Socials/Contact:

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43: CHRIS ROOKWOOD POTTERY

Pottery; Functional & sculptural; Working at the wheel

I am delighted to be opening my pottery studio for the Columbia Basin Culture Tour weekend and look forward to meeting you and sharing my space. I throw and hand-build, making functional and sculptural pieces. I find the process works as an expression of my inner self and how I feel about the environment that surrounds me. Am I feeling centred and joyful, or perhaps stressed and anxious? What is the colour of the sky, the lake, the mountains? How does the landscape feel? Working with clay grounds me through a connection with the landscape of our beautiful region. I am influenced by the Kootenay sky and water, mountains and rocks, plants and wildlife. I am fascinated with glazes and how they fit to the pot, how their colours and textures show up on different clay bodies. How do they capture the light, darkness, shadows, lines and blurred traces of the nature that surrounds us? Each piece is handcrafted to extend that connectivity from land to maker to user. I hope that the experience of enjoying handmade ceramics brings pleasure and meaningful contact with a wider sense of community and ecology.

Address:
1331 Kai Rd., Nelson

Directions:
Turn left coming west, or right coming east from Hwy. 3A on Insight Drive; 1st left on Kai Rd.; 4 switchbacks to 1331 on right

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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44: PB WOODWORKS (PETER BOCKNER)

Furniture; Wood carving

Peter is a furniture-maker and woodcarver. This venue is a furniture shop and display room. Works range from larger furniture pieces to smaller gift items and carvings.

Address:
623 Behnsen St., Nelson

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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45: MARTHA STOKOE

Whimsical Ink & Watercolour

Come and see the whimsical new works Martha has been creating over the past year. Ink and watercolour.

Address:
515 Sixth St., Nelson

Directions:
Access via alley of 515 Sixth St.

Venue Arrangement:
I am an artist at my own studio

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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46: HEATHER HUTCHINSON

Acrylic; Landscape; Abstract

I am a 75-year-old artist who has been painting for about 10 years. Since the last Culture Tour, I have moved from the Balfour area to Lower Fairview: big changes as far as landscape, studio lighting (from northeast to southwest) and living environment. What I love about painting is the constant changing exploration of brushstrokes, colours and movement across the canvas. Music and dancing have also been a part of my life from an early age, and I find that, as I grow older, these two passions serve me well.

Address:
620 Second St., Nelson

Directions:
Enter from alleyway on Elwyn St.

Venue Arrangement:
My venue is a location that will host an artist/group of artists for this event only

Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Socials/Contact:

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