By John Manson, Gallery Shop Coordinator
We are always looking for new local and BC-based artists to add to our Gallery Shop! While we currently have a lot of products that relate to current exhibition programming (such as the stunning collection of books for Symbiosis), we continue to celebrate local and regional artists and their work. This article highlights five of the many artists we work with in the shop. Some of them are new to us and some we have been working with for a while. Hopefully after you’ve read this, you’ll visit our shop to find your new favourite piece this summer.
Purple Reign Tea – Queen Bee Farms (Malahat, BC)
Queen Bee Farms is located on the Malahat and is a local Pollinator Sanctuary. For our current Symbiosis exhibition, QBF has composed a custom tea called Purple Reign. Purple Reign is a lemon chamomile tea with ginger and fir. It is inspired by rain and water as a connecting force in the symbiotic relationships between different plants and organisms. Keeping in mind some of the uncanny and striking colours used in the Symbiosis exhibition, the tea (which is comprised of all natural ingredients) actually turns purple when steeped, due to the change in pH levels from the lemon and other ingredients.
Jada Creations – Jaimie Davis (Laxyuubm Ts’msyen – Tsimshian Territory)
Jada Creations is the jewellery company of Jaimie Davis who is from the Gitx̱san & Nisga’a Nations. Jaimie currently resides on Laxyuubm Ts’msyen, which is traditional Tsimshian territory. She belongs to the Laxskiik (eagle) Clan, Wilp (house) Sakhumhiigookh and her eagle name is Sagayt Gabuux which translates into “When the wind blows everything sprouts.” In Jaimie’s own words, “I take pride in my connections to the histories tied to our lands and in creating wearable art that shares our stories with you.” Jaimie’s earrings are always evolving and while we re-order bestselling items, there are frequently new colours and shapes available.
Wayne Anaka (Victoria, BC)
Wayne Anaka is a woodworker in Victoria, BC. Wayne’s work is one-of-a-kind and ranges from lathed bowls, to hand-carved burls, to holly-cone bowls, to intricate inlaid platters with parquetry. We always have a nice range of Wayne’s work on display, which often includes different types of wood (cedar, walnut, elm, maple, pearwood and more). Although Wayne is very established in his craft, he is keen on experimenting and trying new techniques with his creations.
Wayne Anaka – Assorted Bowls and PlatterIsland Clayworks – Anita Lawrence (Gold River, BC)
One of the newest additions to the shop, Anita Lawrence is one half of Gold River studio, Island Clayworks. The selection of Anita’s work that we have available in the shop includes imagery of mushrooms and of the ginkgo plant. Anita’s beautiful stoneware pottery is durable, foodsafe, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe.
Jeremy Dane Morris (Vancouver, BC)
Jeremy has been working for four decades with glass in one form or another including stained glass, sandblasted glass, fused glass, and hot glass. Nowadays, he is focused on kiln-formed glasswork, sometimes incorporating hand-pulled glass cane into jewelry. The array of Jeremy’s work that we have includes his colourful and elegant earrings and necklaces.
Jeremy Dane Morris – Glass Earrings and Necklaces
