Artists, Artisans & Galleries

The Comox Valley boasts a high concentration of artists and is home to Vancouver Island's only bronze art foundry. Original, contemporary and traditional arts and crafts can be found in galleries, shops, on restaurant walls and in artists' studios.

Avant-garde art forms, functional and decorative pottery, one-of-a-kind jewelry, paintings, woven goods, carvings, stained glass, sculpture, paper design and First Nations art are just a few of the unique items available from the Comox Valley's diverse and talented artists.

Many artists' studios and galleries are open year-round or seasonally. The Denman Island Pottery Tour (May) and the Comox Valley Art Gallery Studio Tour (September) are special events where artisans open their studios to discuss the creative process, give demonstrations and exhibit their work.

The Comox Valley Art Gallery (CVAG) is the area's contemporary public art gallery and offers year-round exhibits from regional and national artists, international film series and workshops. CVAG will be moving into new facilities in Downtown Courtenay in 2005. The Muir Gallery, home of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council offers community based programming and exhibits year-round.

Come November, the Valley is chock full of craft fairs in preparation for the Christmas season. Local artisans and craftspeople sell everything from handmade clothing and ornaments to plum pudding and other holiday treats.