June 5, 2009.
Mark your calendars for June 19, 20, and 21st, and make sure you catch the Masterpiece Weekend -- 40 works by 40 artists. At ArtSpring, with an opening night celebration on the 19th, from 5 to 10 p.m. This is a Salt Spring Fine Art Initiative! Don't miss this!
Who is the Salt Spring Fine Art Initiative? Jill Louise Campbell Fine Art Gallery, Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art, Martinus Jewelry Studio & Gallery, ArtSpring Island Arts Centre, Stone Fish Gallery, Salt Spring Arts Council, Galleons Lap Atelier - Gallery, Hastings House & Sculpture Trail, J. Mitchell Gallery. Well done!
Looking for some outdoor adventure ideas? Whale Watching safaris with Zodiak Marine Tours (250-538-7188), car and scooter rentals with Salt Spring Car Rentals (250-537-3122), kayak tours & bike rentals with Salt Spring Adventure Co (250- 537-2764), skippered sailing charters with L'Orenda Sailing (250-538-0084), destination diving with Oceans Alive Dive Centre (250-537-0099), fishing trips for the family with Salt Spring Marina (250-537-5810). Enjoy!
The opening of Lumiere, with exceptional photography works by the many talented photographers/artists on this Island, is on the 26th, with a reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at ArtSpring -- don't miss this terrific show!
ArtCraft opens for the summer season with a sneak preview on June 12th. The ArtCraft Showcase exhibition sponsorship program continues this year, after last year's success with this venture. I am very pleased to sponsor the Precious Metals: Fine Balance showcase, which opens on July 1st.
Speaking of July 1st, it is Canada Day, remember, with the parade, lots of events (check the Driftwood for times and places), a classic car show, and the fireworks in Ganges Harbour, as soon as it's dark enough (after 10 p.m.???).
If you missed Hastings House's sculpture trail, last season, you can catch it this year. Wonderful works on display, and a joy to wander the garden and forest trails at Hastings House, itself. The Salt Spring Woodworks were the guiding light behind this sculpture trail addition to the Island's charms.
Al fresco dining choices? Harbour House Hotel, Calvin's Bistro, Salt Spring Inn, Bocados Bistro, Auntie Pesto's, Rock Salt Cafe (in Fulford), Seaside Kitchen (at Vesuvius), Moby's (reopened, with new owner, as an oyster bar/grill), & for a lighter palate choice: Rendezvous Cafe, Cafe Talia, the coffee stop at Fernwood Dock (just opened this year), Jana's Bakeshop, and if you don't feel like cooking, don't forget Bruce's Kitchen (Eat in/Take out), Pasta Fresca, Pomodoro's Pizza...we are spoiled here, aren't we!
Pegasus Gallery Framing's grand opening is on June 12th, from noon to 8 p.m. Drop by and say hello, and check out this new facility (at corner of Robinson & Upper Ganges Roads). Refreshments served at the opening!
The very talented Nick Bantock has created ten drawings and a cover for a re-telling of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I did, at one point in time, study English Lit, and did teach same at the high school level. One of the high points for me was always reading and discussing Chaucer's wonderful capture of his medieval world. You can see Nick Bantock's originals on display at his Forgetting Room Gallery, in Merchant Mews, beginning tonight, at 7 p.m.
Did you know that Fulford's Rock Salt Cafe is included in the "Where to Eat" 2009 book??? If you haven't been down for dinner, don't overlook this gem.
Have things to donate to the annual ArtSpring Treasure Sale? This important annual fundraiser needs your help. Call Lauretta (250-537-4017) or Paul (250-537-1898). The Arts feed the soul...so important to help out in any way you can.
The haphazardness of the Fulford to Swartz Bay ferry timings continues until the regular ferry returns to service, on June 25th.
Michael Ableman at Foxglove Farm is setting up a centre for arts, ecology, agriculture. A summer workshop schedule is now available. For a list of workshops/and to register, go to: www.foxglovefarmbc.ca
Phoenix Elementary School presents its first international fair event, at the Drake Road school site, with a silent auction fundraiser as a key component. It's today, from 1 to 6 p.m., and is a critical fundraiser to help keep the school in operation. Be there, if you can!
Lots to see and to do...it's an active island in the summer season, and the heat wave of the past few days has jumpstarted that summer feeling! Enjoy!
P.S. Looking to buy property on Salt Spring Island? How may I help you to discover and to purchase your Island paradise? Look forward to your call (liread33@gmail.com).
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
