Looking for something to do this long weekend besides eating turkey and stuffing, why not take a studio tour through Nanoose Bay?
Pauline Nadeau Evans, one of the studio tour co-ordinators, said the Nanoose Bay Thanksgiving Studio Tour has been gaining in popularity over the years.
“We’re getting to be the thing to do on Thanksgiving weekend,” Nadeau Evans said of the tour, which has been going on since 2009.
About a dozen artists and studios will be participating in the 2016 tour. Artists range from pottery, woodturning, jewelry and hand-crafted soaps.
People wanting to check out the tour, can start at Nanoose Place Community Centre (2925 Northwest Bay Rd.) in the multi-purpose room where there will be an information table.
Nadeau Evans said there will be three artists, herself included, showing at the centre, as well as two guest artists. The guest artists are Kees Luchs of Lantzville, who specializes in wooden boxes and carvings, and Gerald Fuller, who was raised in Nanoose Bay, and specializes in close-up photography of totem poles.
One studio on the tour is Dave and Debra Kasprick of Red Cod Forge and Affinity Stone Jewelery and Design (2155 Spur Pl., Nanoose Bay). Dave said Red Cod Forge has been a part of the studio tour since its inception, while Debra said she joined a few years later.
Dave said during the studio tours, he always makes a point of working in the forge. He added that the tours are the only time throughout the year that people can check out the forge.
“It’s always an attraction for people on the tour to see the shop in action,” Dave said.
Their studio will also be housing two guest artists for the weekend; Roy Hancliff Photography and Diane Michelin’s painting.
Another studio on the self-guided tour people can stop by is Knut Pottery Plus (2550 Powder Point Rd., Nanoose Bay).
Potter Al Knutson said Knut Pottery Plus is exactly what the name says, not just pottery.
“We call it pottery plus because my wife (Veronica) has her weaving and knitting and sewing, so there’s more than just pottery here,” Knutson said.
Knutson said he joined the studio tours a few years after they started. He also said that while he won’t be in his workshop during the tour, he will be explaining different processes done in his pottery work.
“It’s a fun thing for people to get out and do, and it doesn’t cost them anything,” Knutson said.
The Nanoose Bay Thanksgiving Studio Tour is Oct. 8-10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nadeau Evans said to check the website, www.nanoosebaystudiotour.com, before heading out to the studio for last-minute tour changes.