Two well-known Chemainus artists will open their studio doors for this year’s Cowichan Artisans Fall Studio Tour.
The two-day, self-guided event runs Oct. 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and stretches from Duncan to Nanaimo with 13 stops in total. In Chemainus, visitors can explore two local studios featuring handcrafted pottery by Laura Gosnell and contemporary mixed media works by artist Diana Durrand.
Durrand, whose upstairs studio is located in Unit 1 of 2886 Oak St. (entered from the back), said the experience offers a rare glimpse into artists’ creative worlds.
“When you visit an artist, you see them in their working space, which is really unique, and you see all of their work together so you can understand it a lot more,” she said. “And you have all the time in the world to chat.”
Just a block away, Gosnell’s Trembling Aspen Pottery studio on Maple Lane showcases a distinctive Japanese-inspired setting familiar to Chemainus residents.
“A tour of my studio gives visitors insight into how inspiration shapes my creations,” Gosnell said. “One thing about art is everyone has their own inspiration, but also their own ways of working, and that can be an interesting thing for people to discover and help connect them to the work.”
Brochures outlining the Cowichan Artisans group and its fall tour are available at the Chemainus Visitor Information Centre in Waterwheel Square. More details can be found online at CowichanArtisans.com, TremblingAspenPottery.ca and DianaDurrand.com.
