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Salt Spring Island
Year Round
Arts, Crafts & Culture:
Salt Spring Island is especially well known as home to a diverse arts
and crafts community. This includes some very well known artists
such as Robert Bateman, Wim Blom, Cathy & Deon Venter,
Carol Evans, Carol Haigh, Jerry Ringrose and Diana Dean just to name a few - and musicians
such as
Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, BTO), Valdy, Donnie
McDougall (The Guess Who) and Bill Henderson (Chilliwack).
There are many other talented musicians and world-class artists
among the island's potters, painters,
sculptors, glass artists and woodworkers, who together make Salt Spring Island an oasis of arts and
culture in this spectacular Gulf Island setting.
There are many year round offerings to enjoy!
Salt Spring Island Studio Tour
This year over 40 of the island's outstanding artisans,
crafts people and artists have published a self-guided studio tour
both online and in handy map form (available at Cloud 9). Visit
the artists, see them at work and enjoy each unique presentation of
their creations. Though officially closed for
the winter season, many of these artists say "come on
over" with just a phone call ahead of time.
Salt Spring Market
(April 7 - October 9))
Visit this web site and find out more about the island,
from the the Saturday Market where over 200 local crafts people,
artisans, artists and farmers showcase their creations, to information
about Salt Spring's beaches, festivals and off-market art.
Island Gourmet Safaris
- TOUR.... Salt Spring with someone who knows the
island and enjoys people. Relax for the day and find secret spots and
essential info. TASTE.... our fabulous fare, pick up
items along the way to take with you for the rest of your stay or
journey. SEE.... our art galleries and studios
and enjoy the trek.
While visiting the island, you
will also find many fine galleries, crafts shops & book stores.
These year-round venues include:
1.
Judy Mitchell
Gallery
(Ganges) - fine art: sculpture & painting
2. Steffich Fine Art
(Ganges)
- focus on fine local and Native art
3.
Jill Louise Campbell Art Gallery
(Ganges)
- fine art & gifts: watercolors & prints
4. Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art
(Ganges)
- fine art: painting
5. Waterfront Gallery
(Ganges)
- gift gallery of local art
6. Martinus Studio
- (Ganges) - master craftsmanship in the fine art of jewelry,
unique creations: award winning design, custom
design & personalized training.
7. Ruphi Art Factory
(Ganges)
8. Stone Walrus Gallery (Ganges) - collection of world art
9. Coastal Currents Gallery (Ganges) - gift gallery of local art
10. Stone Fish Studio (Ganges) - fine art: sculpture
11. Artcraft -
(Ganges) - works 200 artists & artisans (limited season)
12. Island Wildlife Gifts and Gallery
13. Artspring
Center (Ganges) - ongoing performing arts & shows with varying island artists
14. Blue Horse Gallery (on the
Studio Tour) - fine art:
ceramics & high-style folk art
15. The Landing Party
(on the Studio Tour)
- fine art: from elegance to whimsy
16. Dovecote Gallery of Fine Arts
(on the Studio Tour) - original paintings, prints &
cards. Plus the amazing doves!!
17. Venter Studios (Merchant Mews near Ganges) - world class: life-size terra cotta sculpture & painting
18. Morley Myers Gallery
& Studio (Merchant Mews near Ganges) - fine art: world class sculpture
19. Jerry Ringrose Studios
(Merchant Mews near Ganges) -
fine art: glasswork extraordinaire
20. Nicola and Asha Wheston Gallery (Merchant Mews near Ganges) -
fine art: painting
21. Entropic Fine Art Gallery -
fine art: paintings & prints
22. Watermark Books (Ganges) - for the discerning reader
23. Salt Spring Island Books (Ganges)
24. Sabine's Fine
Used Books (Ganges)
25. Deboragh's - (south end)
Uniquely styled slippers of 100% wool felt, custom made indoor
shoes.
25. AND TOO MANY MORE TO LIST......!
More Arts and
Entertainment:
You will also find the performing
arts year round at the Artspring
Center. Also check out
Graffiti Theatre.
For live music, don't forget the local restaurants and pubs (all
smoke-free) such as The
Treehouse Cafe and
Shipstones on the
Harbourfront below Oystercatcher Restaurant.
And for some of the very best in Folk
Music featuring international talent, check out
The Salt
Spring Folk Club.
Nature:
Salt Spring Island is also home to a large and "friendly" non-human
community - predators such as the bear and cougar are virtually non-existent owing
to the island's vigilant sheep farming community. At Cloud 9
you'll often see bald eagles, ravens, hawks and migrant turkey
vultures cruising just feet overhead, and deer grazing in the
yard.
Your suite at Cloud 9 comes complete with a
laminated Salt Spring Out
of Doors Map - detailing 18 hiking trail networks, 23 points of
beach access, viewpoints, parks and more...
You'll want to visit
Mount Maxwell Provincial
Park where the views go forever and where there is little between
you and the 2,000 foot sheer drop to Burgoyne Bay below. Also a
must is Ruckle Provincial Park with ocean front and forest trails
- ideal for an afternoon picnic.
Island
Wildlife Care Center
The Salt Spring Island Island Wildlife Natural Care Center is a charitable organization
dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation. The focus is on
alternative medicine such as homeopathy, herbal treatments and
physical therapies.
Outdoor Recreation & Sport:
Blackburn Meadows
Golf Club
A links style course set around beautiful Blackburn Lake,
taking you over gently rolling landscape. Very
picturesque!
Salt
Spring Island Golf & Country Club
A 9 hole, 3,019
yard course with its restaurant, "The 19th Hole". Sea
Otter Kayaking
Offering a full selection of daily lessons, harbor tours and
self-guided exploration. Island
Escapades
Offering a range of outdoor activities including kayaking, climbing,
hiking and sailing.
Salt Spring Adventure Co.
Offering a full range of guided kayaking and sightseeing tours.
Saltspring
Marine Rentals Ltd.
Offering power boat and kayak rentals, ocean charters and car &
scooter rentals.
Sailing
Charters: 4 hours on the water and you'll feel like
you've been gone for a week! Ask us at Cloud 9 for the island's
most popular operators.
Salt Spring Island's
Beaches
A complete guide to the island's beaches and oceanfront vistas.
Salt
Spring Guided Rides offers horseback riding as does
Healing
Horses.
Dining: There
are many good quality restaurants in Ganges and around the island -
dress is almost always casual and the food invariably delicious.
All are smoke-free for inside dining. Calvin's
Bistro - (Ganges) Great West Coast cuisine with a little European spice,
friendly island atmosphere, and outdoor decks overlooking Ganges Harbour
- this is one place you'll love to visit often and recommend to
friends. Specials in the realm of urban "fine dining",
desserts that are works of art! Come as you are. The Oystercatcher Seafood Bar & Grill (Ganges)
An island favorite, and don't be deceived by the name. In
addition to oysters and other great sea foods, you'll find delicious chicken,
beef, pasta and pizza dishes served in a warm
fireside atmosphere. Great view over Ganges Harbour too!
See also Shipstones Pub just downstairs, also with a full menu. Artist's Bistro
(Grace Point Square, Ganges) - Fine Dining with upscale bistro style and displays of local
contemporary art. Dress is elegantly casual.
House Piccolo
- (Ganges) Fine Dining by definition, this intimate establishment has
limited seating and offers distinctive local and world cuisine with a
just hint of Scandinavia. The owner/chef is internationally
recognized and the extensive wine list has won the Award of Excellence
from Wine Spectator for many years. Reservations a must.
Dress is elegantly casual.
Hastings House - (Ganges)
The finest in fine dining, with all the ambience of a historic seaside manor house set on 20
acres. Reservations a must. Dress is elegantly casual.
Treats:
For the best island-crafted Belgium Chocolates
and Genuine Italian Gelatti, visit
Harlan's Chocolates! Excellent coffee too!!
Other fine spots for casual and light dining:
- Raven Street Market Cafe
(Wood Fired Pizza & Fernwood Road
at the Government Dock)
- The Salt Spring Inn (Ganges) - historic
building, newly renovated, diverse menu, moderate prices.
- Moby's Waterfront Marine Pub (Ganges)
- Auntie Pesto's Cafe & Deli
(Grace Point
Square, Ganges) - imaginative and fresh food recipes, waterfront.
- Seaside Restaurant (Vesuvius) - an island
favorite, best fish and chips, diverse menu, moderate prices.
- The Mix (at Mouat's, Ganges)
- Shipstone's Pub (just below the Oystercatcher
in Ganges) - service from the Oystercatcher kitchen
- Tree-House Cafe (Mouat's Heritage Cottage,
Ganges) - live music every day in summer
- Cafe El Zocalo (in Gasoline Alley, facing
Centennial Park, Ganges)
- Admiral's Specialty Foods & Sushi Bar
(Fulford-Ganges Road, Ganges)
- Porters Restaurant & Lounge (Harbour House
Hotel, Ganges)
- Barb's Buns (McPhillips Avenue, Ganges)
- Salt Spring Roasting Company (McPhillips
Avenue, Ganges) - island roasted coffees, sweets and snacks
- Moka House (McPhillips Avenue, Ganges) -
coffee, sweets and snacks
- Morningside Organic Bakery & Cafe (Fulford
Harbour)
- The Rock Salt Cafe (Fulford Harbour) -
diverse menu at the Fulford Ferry Terminal, home style cooking
Body-Mind-Spirit
Health:
Salt Spring Island has an
impressive array of health practitioners offering everything from:
For spas, try
Skin Sensations (by the sea)
in Ganges or the Spa at
Hastings House.
And just in case...Salt Spring
Island has a hospital as well as regular
medical and dental.
Local Weather:
Salt Spring Island
Gulf Islands
British Columbia: Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo...
Vancouver Island Information:
Island
Treasures B&B - a gorgeous Nanoose Bay/Parksville area accommodation.
Greater
Victoria.com - A broad information resource for Greater Victoria & the Gulf
Islands.
CanadianBedBreakfast.com- A good information resource
for Canadian Bed & Breakfasts.
Victoria
Tourism Mall
- Another information resource for
Greater Victoria & the Gulf Islands.
Victoria Hotels Motels
- lots of good info about Greater Victoria.
Ocean
Exploration - offers world class whale watching from Victoria, British Columbia.
The Butchart
Gardens - combine this with a day trip into Victoria and you've
"seen it all" - nothing short of spectacular, even for non-gardeners.
Around the World:
Fredricksburg Worldwide Travel
Links
No
More Hotels
Full Moon Rising...
(click on picture to enlarge)
Salt Spring's "Quieter
Season" (October to April)
- just a few of the reasons you may want to come...
The ferries are not so busy, the
island has fewer visitors, and Salt Spring in
Quiet Season has
lots going strong in true island style. Relax, enjoy and discover the magic (and
some of the surprises) of experiencing things through the eyes of a
"local". You
could be surprised! Check with The Driftwood Newspaper's Calendar for
2007
(note: many events may not be posted until closer to their
happening).
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Surprises: April 2007 - Randy Bachman (The
Guess Who, Bachman Turner Overdrive) performs at
ArtSpring
Center (seating for just 250).
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More surprises through 2007? As usual,
expect the unexpected...
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You'll find extra opportunity to meet one-on-one with some
of the artists and craftspeople of the
Salt Spring Island Studio Tour, who can provide you a relaxed "inside" look at island
life.
While the Studio Tour does not officially begin until later in the
spring, many of the artists are happy to open up their space with a phone call ahead of
time.
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You'll want to take a stroll
among the many galleries
with gift-shops and other shopping possibilities in-between - often at
greatly reduced prices. For example,
Jill Louise Campbell Art Gallery
offered another January 2-for-1 sale on limited edition
prints and Giclees.
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Also enjoy beachcombing along
one of
Salt Spring Island's
Beaches when you might find a beach (or a treasure?) all to yourself...
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And enjoy the rest of the outdoors
too - your suite at Cloud 9 comes complete with a
laminated Salt Spring Out
of Doors Map - detailing 18 hiking trail networks, 23 points of
beach access, viewpoints, parks and more...the flora and fauna never
sleep, and February/March is lambing season!
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Return to civility and treat yourself to a wine-tasting at
the Salt Spring Vineyards
or the Garry Oaks Winery
or enjoy a glass at one of the island's great restaurants.
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Like cheese? Treat yourself
to samplings at
David Wood's
farm (all cheeses made here on Salt
Spring Island including those from
Over the Moon).
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Then, when finished with these
"appetizers", relax at one of more than 20 of the island's
restaurants and eateries
- including fine dining for a special night out.
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And finally, when you feel the need
for a little extra pampering in the area of
Body-Mind-Spirit Health, you'll find an absolute abundance of
skilled practitioners to cater to your every need - just ask for any details!
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Back at your
Cloud 9 Bed and Breakfast
luxury retreat - the hot tub awaits with the island's most
spectacular views, rain or starshine!
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Then relax with
complimentary video or CD's
provided for your
ensuite entertainment system.
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Salt Spring Island offers
Arts, Crafts & Culture
in a spectacular nature setting all year long.
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And as for Salt Spring
Weather - did you
know Salt Spring is one of the driest places to be in the winter, with
temperatures well above freezing? Pacific Northwest mainlanders get 50 - 70%
more rain than Salt Spring and the West coast of Vancouver Island
gets 300% more!
Coming up:
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