Side Street Studio Blog | The best art that B.C. can offer
About This Site
Side Street Studio in Oak Bay Village and now Humboldt Street, Victoria, has been selling the work of British Columbia artists for over 25 years. Side Street Studio is family owned and has the support of five highly trained and helpful staff. We are commited to providing a showcase for the best pottery, jewellery, wood, glass art, textiles, cards & books, carvings, West Coast photography & art prints and special Gifts that B.C. can offer. more...
NEWS RELEASE
June 1, 2010
Mayor Dean Fortin Launches Humboldt Valley Commercial Precinct June 8, 2010
VICTORIA – The Humboldt Valley Merchants Association welcomes His Honour Mayor Dean Fortin to hoist the final banner to launch the Humboldt Valley commercial precinct on Tuesday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m.
The HVMA recently partnered with the Downtown Business Association (DVBA) to develop an area identity program. Anonymous Advertising was selected to create the identity and logo, which has been applied to new fuchsia banners that will line the commercial precinct along Humboldt Street from Blanchard to Government.
The banner hoisting event on June 8th signals the installation of the banners and launches the area as a dynamic new commercial precinct in downtown Victoria.
The Humboldt Valley Merchants Association was formed in 2009 by a handful of merchants who had begun setting up shop in the newly developed Humboldt Valley. The group’s membership has increased to over 20 businesses this year to include the major hotels, galleries, real estate offices, gift shops, restaurants and cafes that line the Valley.
Members include: Winchester Galleries, Café Mela at the Belvedere, The Sky is the Limit Design, Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, Executive House Hotel, Fairmont Empress Hotel, Brown’s Social House, HSBC, Church of our Lord, Macdonald Realty Victoria, Armeni Jewellers, Side Street Studio, Kiva Design, Budget Car and Truck Rental, Sotheby’s Realty Victoria, 5 Star Whale Watching, Miniature World, Willow Stream Spa, Nootka Traders, Union Club of B.C., Pescatore’s Fish House and Oyster Bar, Scala Boutique and Roger’s Chocolates Soda Shoppe.
“If you haven’t walked along this part of Humboldt Street recently, you may be surprised to find that it has become an attractive destination for Victorians and visitors alike,” says Elizabeth Levinson, chair of the merchants association. “We’re all excited to be part of this dynamic residential and business community.”
Contact:
Elizabeth Levinson
Winchester Galleries Humboldt Valley
250-382-7750 elizabeth@winchestergalleriesltd.com
Victoria and B.C. in general have a wealth of artistic talent; possibly one of the greatest concentrations in North America. Art benefits all who live or who visits this beautiful region. But the survival of our artists to practice their art is under greater threat than ever before.B.C. and Vancouver Island in particular have become increasingly expensive places in which to live and artists rarely earn huge sums of money, so the pressure to move to more affordable provinces is growing. Most of the local media takes scant notice of our artists unless they fall into the ‘fine art’ category and are ‘established’. No surprise really as Victoria is a relatively small city and journalists, like most people, wish to be associated with ‘success’.
But so often they miss the point that ‘art’ is not just reserved for a few high level individuals – it embraces all forms of creativity. Be they potters, jewellery makers, wood turners and carvers, textile, glass artists and photographers.
All these arts are creative and well worth our attention. Unfortunately, the focus by local ‘champagne’ journalists on ‘fine’ art’ leads people to believe that ‘art’ is for the few who can afford it. How often have you heard, “I love it but it’s far too expensive for me”. Which is both sad and misguided.
Art is for everyone. All of our local artists’ work is both of great value and superb quality. Much art is functional – look at the local potters work for bowls, dishes, mugs, casseroles or wood turners for salad & fruit bowls – well cared for these can last a lifetime.
Almost everyone can afford to own a piece of local art. Magnificent wood turnings or decorative pottery can add presence & style to a home. Well crafted jewellery is can be both stylish and classic. Our local glass artists produce work that is good enough to be presented as a gift by our Prime Minister to other heads of state! Yet when did you last read in the local media about such outstanding work…..? Visitors to Victoria are confronted by an array of ‘tat’ – junk imported for far off countries which can be found in any tourist centre anywhere in the world. We strongly believe that visitors would like to see ‘locally’ made work rather than cheap T shirts sold on our streets.
Take a moment to visit your local artists’ studio or visit your local artists’ co-op and see for yourself the magnificent work that is available. Local artists markets and craft shows can be a source of excellent work and are fun and well worth the time for a visit. But be sure to check that work is really made locally.
So while you may not hear about local artists work in the media – ignore the T shirts and come and support your local artists be it in Vancouver, Victoria or in any local studio! Keep your hard earned $ in B.C.!
It really is a use them or lose them situation.
My name is Karen McCaig and I work at Side Street Studio.
I am participating in an amazing event – “The Ride to Conquer Cancer” benefiting the BC Cancer foundation, supporting cancer research and care at the BC Cancer Agency. It is a two day cycling journey from Vancouver to Seattle, from June 19th – 21st, 2009. 
My husband Dave is going to volunteer at the opening ceremonies on June 19th and the closing ceremonies June 21st. I will be riding on June 20th – 21st and together we will be fundraising for this event. 
Our friends and family all know the devastating effect cancer has impacted on our lives, their lives and many of your lives. We’re all in this together. We will be designating 100% of our funds to Brain Cancer research.
It would be an honour to us if you could help by donating to this cause and this event. In order to donate please go on line at 
http://www.conquercancer.ca/index.htmlwhere you will be directed to my personal page. Alternatively, you may visit me at Side Street Studio or call the studio at 250 592 1262.
Fundraising.
1. Bring your dancing shoes for a fun filled evening at the Britannia #7 Legion 780 Summit Avenue (behind Canadian Tire) on May 16th at 8.00 PM. A $10 admission donation gets you an evening of dancing to Live Music with “Shinny on Top’ performing R & B Rock. A 50:50 draw and Great Draw prizes from many generous local merchants.
2. Our second Fundraiser on May 23rd at the Oak Bay M & M Meats. #498 2000 Cadboro Bay Road, Victoria. This event is from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm with plenty of ‘yummy’ burgers, hot dogs and refreshments. A minimum $3 donation will get you a M & M Meat in store coupon valid for the day.
Thank you in advance for your kind and generous support of our participation in The Ride to Conquer Cancer. ”
Our sincere thanks,
Karen and David McCaig
On the 1st June 2009 Side Street Studio will be opening their new store in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. The new location is on Humboldt Street and lies directly opposite the Marriot Hotel and close to most of the major Hotels and Guest House’s of Victoria.
For over 25 years Side Street Studio has been located in Oak Bay and now with the growing demand for hand crafted local artists & artisans work a second and larger store will open. Much of our business has been and will continue to be for local people. But when visitors come to B.C. they often want to buy something that is unique and hand made in B.C. Not made in an anonymous factory in some far off country.
“This new and larger studio will allow us to include and show more of the magnificent work that is created here in British Columbia” says owner Sue Hayes. “The province is home to a huge wealth of artistic talent and Side Street is proud to be representing some of the very best that can be found”.
“Currently the studio represents over 265 B.C. artists work and we hope to increase this to around 300 by the end of this year”.
Unique and original, Jewellery, Pottery, Woodturnings, Glass, Textiles, Carvings, Greeting Cards and West Coast Art; all hand crafted and one-of-a-kind.
There are new first nation artists as well as some fantastically talented Pottery, Jewelers and Stone Carvers.
Side Street has always focused on unique, locally crafted Gifts for all occasions; Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, Housewarmings, Thank Yous, Romantic Events, the Family, the Hostess, Business Associates…and most importantly ‘For You’.
The hours of opening are 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. on Sunday and Bank Holidays.