Artisans at work in Western Canada: British Columbia

Whether you are a craft enthusiast, a history buff or simply someone looking for something new to discover, the Artisans at work network promises you an incomparable adventure in Western Canada!

Meet passionate artisans and discover their know-how.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Welcome to British Columbia, where towering mountains meet crystal-clear lakes. Whether you are in eastern or western British Columbia, you will find what you are looking for when you visit the Artisans at work network.

Driving time along the coast: 3h20, including the ferry

Driving time in the West Kootenays: mostly on foot + 30 minutes by car

Pacific Coast Tour
Sail to the soothing rhythm of the ocean on your journey from Townsite Brewing Inc. to Mary Fox Pottery, a picturesque excursion between the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

Townsite Brewing [Powell River]

The Beer Brewing ÉCONOMUSÉE® Townsite Brewing is located in the heart of historic Powell River Townsite. This microbrewery, run by the only Belgian brewmaster in British Columbia, has been winning awards since 2012. Drop in and sample the hard work of the beer and kombucha brewers. You will find the local features that inspired the creation of each product in the names and label designs. As you immerse yourself in the brewing experience during your visit to its facilities, rest assured that Townsite Brewing will have something to quench your thirst!

Mary Fox Pottery [Ladysmith]

Mary Fox loves to share her creative energy and passion for ceramics with visitors to her Pottery ÉCONOMUSÉE® in historic downtown Ladysmith. Come and see her skill on the wheel and her innovative glazing techniques, and watch the clay take shape under her skilful hands. See works in progress in his internationally renowned gallery, which is brimming with both decorative and functional treasures. Take away her autobiographical book, “My Life as a Potter”, which is used to fund the Mary Fox Legacy Project to train the potters of today and tomorrow. A beautiful visit.

West Kootenays Tour
Canada’s most artistic small town, Nelson, offers an Artisans at work tour that can be done on foot in less than an hour and Salmo can be reached in 30 minutes.

Lillie & Cohoe [Nelson]

Lillie & Cohoe has been making world-class hats for over 30 years in Nelson. In the backroom of the Hatmaker’s ÉCONOMUSÉE®, a dedicated team of talented craftspeople design and produce hats and accessories using the finest fabrics and notions from around the world. Meet owner Liz Cohoe and her staff, who make the autumn-winter and spring-summer collections and can advise you on how to look your best! Take a look at the ear flaps that Lillie & Cohoe is famous for: invisible until you need them.

Kootenay Bakery Cafe Co-op [Nelson]

Bakery ÉCONOMUSÉE® Kootenay Bakery Cafe Co-op has been a Nelson mainstay since 1990. Come and sit in the cafe of this workers’ co-operative that supports organic and local farming as well as international fair trade practices. Immerse yourself in the art of baking and pastry-making in a welcoming place where the local community meets to eat and drink. The cooperative enterprise is dedicated to producing sweet and savoury organic baked goods that meet a variety of dietary needs by incorporating local, seasonal ingredients.

D.E. Walters [Nelson]

Welcome to the ÉCONOMUSÉE® of ceramic artist D.E. Walters. Her work is infused with her passion for astronomy and her dedication to ceramics, education and storytelling. A lifelong craftswoman, Walters teaches pottery and stone carving in the eARTh Studio, a studio set in her beautiful garden with an interpretive trail to learn more about her world. She also offers ‘art breaks’ in her ‘Gallery Suite’ accommodation unit, where you can buy the works to decorate your home. D.E. Walters works to make the magic of art and creation accessible to everyone!

Emotions in Wood [Salmo]
30 minute drive from Nelson

Discover the full range of emotions that working with wood can awaken at the cabinetmaker’s ÉCONOMUSÉE®. Emotions in Wood is a workshop specialising in the creation of top-of-the-range wood products, combining richly coloured species with a high-gloss finish. Strategically located just off the highway in Salmo, the workshop invites visitors to meet Philippe Charmet, a self-taught cabinetmaker with a passion for furniture. Using meticulous techniques and precise handwork, he crafts unique pieces. Come and watch this craftsman at work, discover his inspirations, the types of wood he uses and the tools that bring his creations to life.

This publication is part of a series of three articles on the Artisans at work network in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Let the adventure begin!

Photo © Shlomo Shalev / Unsplash