In 1975, disco was thriving, Saturday Night Live made its television debut, the Vietnam War ended, the Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup, Bill Bennett became premier and seat belts were not yet mandatory in British Columbia. That same year, the Artisans’ Studio opened in Nanaimo.
On Saturday (Sept. 12) the studio will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with an open house, which will feature Nanaimo bars and a draw for a gift certificate.
“We are hoping that some of our older members along with the general population will come and see us,” said longtime studio member Gill Kanachowski, “Nanaimo has been very good to us over the years.”
The Artisans’ Studio co-operative moved around to various locations before settling at its current location, 70 Bastion St., in 1977. Today, the studio has 14 working members.
“We have gone through thick and thin. It is only due to a very good loyal membership,” Kanachowski said. In the early days we never had any grants so it was purely our own work and us running the studio and we have survived.”
Kanachowski, a member of the Artisans’ Studio for 38 years, says downtown Nanaimo has changed significantly since 1975.
“Downtown is quite vibrant now,” she said. “You can see a big difference as you walk around.”
The studio is looking forward to the next four decades.
“We just hope to keep going,” Kanachowski said.
The open house runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
For more information, please call 250-753-6151.
arts@nanaimobulletin.comTwitter: @npescod