BRENDA GOUGH
News Contributor
An event to raise money for the Nanoose Bay Community Cupboard and highlight the many talented artists in the area takes place this weekend.
Peruse a variety of local fine art and crafts all under one roof as the Nanoose Bay Studio Tour Group has a Showcase and sale at Nanoose Place. The Studio Showcase takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3 and 4.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and the showcase will offer an excellent opportunity to find that perfect gift for mom or yourself. With an excellent array of pottery, art glass, wood-turning, hand designed jewellery, handcrafted furniture, metal art, photography and paintings in all media types there will be something for everyone.
The Nanoose Bay Studio Tour Group originally held two studio tours a year but organizers discovered it was difficult for some people to make it out to all the studios involved in the tour.
Now they get together once a year and show their work in one place and hold a Studio Tour in October and then in December for the Christmas Crawl.
One of the participants, Deb Kasprick of Affinity Stone Jewellery will have her stunning pieces for sale.
The jewellery maker said she strives to create uniquely different designs made with hand picked gems and crystals from her travels.
A lot of her inspiration stems from seeing the art and architecture of Mexico and she agreed her creations have undergone a transformation since she started her artistic journey almost three years ago.
“Everything always evolves … you can’t stay the same. My latest thing is incorporating leather and copper into my designs.”
Creating artistically inspired pieces using colourful stones with copper and silver, Kasprick agreed a lot of her pieces are more earthy and rustic and have an organic feel.
Her bold pendants with big nuggets on hammered copper plate are certainly not bland.
Some of her designs have free form copper accents and bent wire scraps while others are elegant and dainty with a hint of bling.
Kasprick said each design is different and they definitely make a statement.
“I often use leather to pull off a design concept. It is a nice change from using mixed metals.”
She said the different characteristics and colours of the stones she uses evoke an array of emotions and she is excited for the public to see her new Mexican inspired necklaces.
Every year she and her husband Dave, who is a metal artist, do a fundraiser at Halloween and at Christmas to generate donations for the local food bank as well as spay and neuter clinics in Mexico.
Admittance to the showcase is by donation of non-perishable foods or cash for the Nanoose Bay food bank.
Twenty studios and guest artists are taking part in the event and a 2014 Nanoose Bay Studio Guide will also be available at the event and people are encouraged to come by year round to those studios.
The Showcase is at Nanoose Place Hall, 2925 Northwest Bay Road, May 3 and 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information call 250-821-6136 or visit www.nanoosebaystudiotour.com.