Thanksgiving Studio and Gallery Tour
By Catherine Nutter, Gabriola Sounder
Monday, October 2 2006
This Thanksgiving weekend, don't miss out on the unique opportunity to visit the studios and galleries of some of Gabriola's most creative people. The Sounder caught up with two of the many talented individuals on this year's tour, to get their perspective on this popular event.
Dianna Bonder, award-winning children's illustrator/author is one of the 15 new studios on the tour. Originally from Vancouver, Bonder moved to the Island this past April with her husband and daughter.
"From the first moment we got here, we fell in love with the place. We just felt like this was home. We're so happy here. The Art community is so warm and supportive, and all the people seem so friendly and down to earth."
Bonder established her career in the City, and thanks to the onset of the e-community, was able to leave the rat race, and continue her career on our tranquil and lovely Island.
"I checked out the tour last year, and was absolutely impressed. I really wanted to be on the tour this year. I thought it would be a great opportunity to show my stuff to the public, because I generally don't have people in my studio," said Bonder.
"I will have 50 originals going up, including two brand new pieces from Dogabet, the book I'm currently writing and illustrating, that will be coming out next year. Visitors will be able to get a sneak peek at the book, something I've been labouring on for a year and a bit."
Dogabet, a dog/alphabet book for children promises to do more than educate and entertain. A portion of the royalties from the sale of the book will go to two animal rescue organizations, one of which is very close to home.
"Some of the royalties will be going to Big Heart Rescue. They are a great organization, of which I have one of their dogs. The other charity is Noah's Wish, the group involved with Hurricane Katrina animal rescue."
Bonder is very keen to have visitors drop by her studio and have a look at what she's been working on.
"I definitely want people to make this a stop on their tour. I'm going to have signs everywhere. Just follow the llama signs from the ferry - you can't miss me," said Bonder.
Anita Jackel-Deggan, of Indian Summer Leather Design, is an old hand on the tour. For the past six years, Deggan has been tempting visitors with her unique bags and purses.
"For me, every year on the tour just gets better and better," said Deggan. "Last year, 180 people went through my studio. And they had to be really determined, too. People had to walk up my driveway, which is really steep, but plenty of people made the climb," Deggan chuckled. "There were people from all over the place, Victoria, Comox, Vancouver, the States."
For those unfamiliar with Deggan's work, rest assured that the climb is really worth it. Who can resist a buttersoft leather bag?
"I've been working with leather for 12 years now. I studied fashion design in Germany, and originally I used to make leather clothes. When I came to Canada, I brought my sewing machine with me, and I had to start something that I could do on my own. So I thought, I'll do bags, so I don't have to deal with sizes."
Deggan enjoys living and creating on Gabriola.
"This Island is a great place for artists and craftspeople. I have a solid customer base here, and I always try to do something new for people who come back, year after year. I have one customer who must have bought twelve bags," said Deggan.
"And I just want to say - I think Kathy Ramsey from Artworks is doing a tremendous job. She's the driving force behind all of this, what's happening on Gabriola. And I think it's wonderful."
On October 7th, 8th and 9th, come and check out the wonderful things that are happening on the Isle of the Arts. For more information call 247-7409, or drop in to Artworks.
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