The 13th year is proving lucky for the Nanaimo Artwalk.
The annual event, which sees artists in a variety of mediums open their studios to the public, boasts 50 artists at 25 locations throughout the city. The artwalk takes place Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 3-4), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paintings, photography, fabric art, woodwork, jewelry, pottery, metal art and more are featured in studios, businesses and restaurants in downtown Nanaimo and the Old City Quarter.
In addition to single artist’s studios, venues gather multiple artists in one place.
The downtown Nanaimo Art Gallery hosts four visual artists, including paintings by Eunmi Conacher, Rob Elphinstone and Danielle Dickson, plus ceramics and photos by Lori E. Sorensen.
House of Indigo features the photography of owner Willow Chandler, known for her Ditch Girls nature photography, and Brinna Mae, a painter and Emily Carr University of Art and Design graduate. The store is also home to Blue Sky Art Supply, which features painter Natalie Sexton.
Just up the street, toward the Nanaimo Courthouse, is the Barton and Leier Gallery, featuring internationally renowned artists Nixie Barton and Grant Leier in their downtown gallery.
Artzi Stuff on Wesley Street features the work of owner Tanya Streeter-Wilson’s elegant and funky hand-dyed and printed scarves and shirts. Margot Page uses copper and steel as her mediums and will be on-site Saturday. Janice Porteous specializes in cards created from her animal photographs. She will be on-site Sunday. The store showcases more than 40 other artists.
On the far end of downtown, Nanaimo Centre Stage, a performing arts theatre, will be home to 11 artists working in printmaking, painting and photography.
It’s a self-guided tour and a brochure with a map listing participating businesses is available at www.nanaimoartwalk.jimdo.com, or visit House of Indigo or Artzi Stuff.