"The wealth of a culture can be determined 

by the art it produces."

The moment you walk into the Market, you're surrounded by overwhelming evidence that we are abundantly wealthy here on the shores of the Salish Sea.

Come in for a peek at this magnificent 6.5 ft by 2.5 ft giclée print on canvas of "Lemon Hills" by artist Coral Barclay that's just arrived...WOW!

When you see the size of the framed canvas and depth of the painting in person...you can't help but just look up a stare - it pulls you in, as if you breathed in you could smell the sea air.

 

A short while ago Susan walked into the Market - and to her amazement discovered a photograph of the fishing boat “Ocean Baron” that her husband works on, taken by one of our favourite photographers, Michael Van der Tol. 

 

Susan knew instantly that this was the perfect anniversary gift for her husband, and so it went home with her.

 

On another visit to the Market earlier this week, Susan learned that Michael would be paying us a visit yesterday - and she just HAD to come and meet him! 

 

While the image we captured of Susan and professional photographer Michael is blown out and blurry… (Ironic isn’t it? We were just nervous I guess!) we still wanted to use it so we could share this really cool moment with you - when a fan gets to meet the photographer, and the photographer gets to meet the fan. 

 

                                   Circle complete! 

 

Okay...the definition of COOL is to have one of our artists, Mark Berg, create a custom piece for one of our guests in the Market and then deliver it to us from the mainland on his motorcycle.  

Vroooom!

"O bed! O bed! Delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head." ~Thomas Hood

 

And what a bed we have just welcomed into the Market! Created by Kevin from Discovery Metal Creations on Quadra Island this is indeed THE bed of west coast beds! 

(and if you find Sharon, Joanne or I taking a quick nap on it...

you'll be gentle when you wake us - won't you?) 

While those of us on the west coast are doing the heat dance to Mr. Golden Sun asking for summer to arrive, we wanted to show you some new arrivals into the Market that are pretty fabulous! 


 
Bowser felt artist Michelle Zacharuk is creating some fun and fantastically functional one of a kind slippers and purses. (and remember...there's only 188 shopping days till Christmas!)

Can we ask for style AND cozy at the same time? You bet your sweet life we can!! French Press Slippers come in both children and adult sizes - and the artist will do custom work!!

 

 

Attention Grown-Up Women! Close your eyes for a moment and access that eight-year old little girl that still resides somewhere inside. Wouldn't you have thought you were the cat's meow carrying one of these purses? 

So...what little girl is in YOUR life that you'd like to give that feeling to?

OK. So the Weather Network calls for a 70% chance of rain here on the shores of the Salish Sea. 

The bright side (sometimes we have to go looking for them) is that now you'll have time to come in and get your copy of 

"West Coast Wrecks and Other Maritime Tales"!! 

Author and maritime historian Rick James will take you on an authoritative and well-illustrated tour of the most fascinating of BC's shipwrecks... all from the comfort of your living room. 

In front of the fire. Wearing a big sweater.

WOOHOO!!! We're just putting the  

final touches on our new satellite gallery

at the 

Deep Bay Centre for Shellfish Research! 

Many of our artists have been creating custom works of art for the Centre. 

Shown here is the inspiring piece created by Powell River artist Ed Oldfield. It's already gracing the walls of the Centre... waiting for you to come and admire it! 

(And as you stand in awe of it, notice the barnacles...each one is created individually by Ed and then placed one by one. They look as authentic as if they were plucked from the waters of Salish Sea!

Artist Ed Oldfield, (in the ball cap) is not only a celebrated artist, he's also a grade seven teacher in Powell River. 

Ed has been so excited about the Centre since we introduced him to it, that he brought his class over for a tour. 

Have you had a visit yet? They're open M-F, and soon they'll be open seven days a week. Visitors enjoy aquariums, touch tanks and can watch the work being done in the labs. 

Follow this link to find out why it's worth your time to visit! 

http://www.viu.ca/deepbay/index.asp

"People live like birds in the woods: When the time comes, each must take flight." 

Chinese Proverb

Kevin from Discovery Metal Creations on Quadra Island is masterful at giving life-like detail to his metal, winged creations. 

We love the feathers on this Kingfisher that just arrived in the Market. He looks like he'll take flight any moment!

Ohhhhhhh....the art that has come into the Market this week! 

New work from old favourites such as Kastaways Metal Art,  Bentley LeBaron pottery, metal ravens and kingfishers by Discovery Metal Creations, just to name a few! 

We also welcome a new artist into the Market - glass artist Toni Johnson! 

We'll show you more of Toni's pieces in the future...for now we'll let you drool over her wonderful sand-cast garden stakes! $40 ea. 

Can't wait? You could always come in and see her amazing pieces for yourself!        We'd love to see you!!

Meet one of our favourite little people in the world (and artist in training), three year old Cheyanne, granddaughter of award-winning Bowser artist Cindy Mawle. 

 Everything seems to stop in the Market when Cheyanne comes to visit. It's all about hugs, giggles and of course...more art for our walls! 

Yesterday Cheyanne is took up residence at Sharon's desk to create one of her masterpieces - it's on display for you to come in and admire!

Earlier this week a visiting couple from Alberta stumbled upon our artful little shop on their way to Hornby Island, heading for a walk at Helliwell Park. 

During their stroll through the Market they absolutely fell in love with a pair of clay sculpted quail created by artist Corry Lunn. 

Apparently just before arriving in the Market they saw two quail on the side of the road and she made him put the car in reverse and back up to find them…they had never seen them in the “wild’ before.

So they headed out the door with a promise that they would be back the next day.

Back they came alright, and they were absolutely giddy! We were the first to hear that he had proposed to her on the bluffs of Helliwell Park, and they came back to take the quail home with them to represent their engagement and the symbol of their life ahead together.

Awwwwwwwwe! 

We loved being part of their love story!