A Gentle Rain in Canada oil painting and photo by Chelsea Noyon, Studio Tour artist #28
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Studio Tour Community
Thirty years ago, a small group of Gabriola artists and their champions imagined a way to bring people closer to art—not just to the finished work, but to the places where it takes shape and the people who create it.
Thirty years later, that vision continues to thrive, thanks to the artists who open their studios, the volunteers and organizers who bring the Tour to life, and the community members and visitors who walk through those doors with curiosity, enthusiasm, and appreciation.
This year, more than 60 studios welcomed visitors, including five celebrating 30 years on the Tour and 12 participating for the very first time. Across the island, countless conversations were shared, creative processes revealed, and connections made through art.
Whether you visited one studio or dozens, discovered a new favourite artist, purchased a treasured piece, or simply enjoyed seeing Gabriola through the eyes of its creative community, you helped make this milestone year meaningful.
A heartfelt thank you to every participating artist, volunteer, sponsor, supporter, and visitor who has helped sustain this remarkable tradition over the past three decades. The Studio Tour is more than an annual event—it’s a reflection of the creativity, generosity, and community spirit that make Gabriola so special.
Here’s to 30 years of open doors, shared stories, and the courage to keep creating—and to many more years of bringing art and community together.Thank you for being part of the story. 💛
Reconciliation: A Commitment
Gabriola Arts Council (GAC) respectfully acknowledges that the land on which we live and create is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. GAC respects and affirms the inherent rights and title of Snuneymuxw First Nation.
We endeavour to honour Coast Salish land and its treaties by strengthening our relationship and responsibilities to them. We are grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation, who continue to share their knowledge about the history of the lands and water and their relations to them. We believe that the Arts can contribute to the healing and decolonizing journey we all share together and commit to honouring Indigenous self-determination, sovereignty and resurgence.
Ways to Enjoy the Tour
Tour Central Highlights
Join us at Tour Central on Thursday, October. 8!
Come celebrate the 30th Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour at our Opening Reception!
Nova Boutique & Gallery, 9-575 North Road
Tour Central is the perfect place to see work from every participating studio, buy tickets for our epic raffle, plan your weekend touring route and mingle with Gabriola’s artists and fellow art lovers.
Tour30 Hightlights
ART SPEAKS — Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre
476 South Road
10 AM–4 PM • October 10-12
Celebrate 30 years of the Studio Tour through stories, memories, artists, volunteers and a multimedia look back at three decades of community-powered art. Plus, donate $30+ to receive a commemorative poster featuring all 30 Studio Tour covers, while supplies last.
LIGHTING A PATH — Gabriola Museum Property
505 South Road
Dusk–9 PM • October 10-12
Seven luminous works transform the night in this special exhibition gifted by the City of Nanaimo in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation. The large-scale projections explore place, identity, memory and Coast Salish culture.
Come find the light. Follow the path. See Gabriola differently.
RAINBOW GALLERY — Gabriola Theatre Centre
1475 Peterson Road
10 AM – 5 PM • October 10-12
Presented by Gabriola Pride, this exhibition features Jason Stovall, Nic Cooper, Bodhi Thompson Gardner, carol weaver and Val Whissell, foregrounding emerging LGBTQ2S+ artists and the evolving voices and experiences of Gabriola’s artistic community. A welcoming space where everyone is invited to feel seen and at ease.
• Download the guide below or pick one up at Gabriola businesses, visit theartsongabriola.ca (TAOG), and artists’ social media.
• Familiarize yourself with the map of Gabriola on this page and on TAOG–you’ll thank us.
• Begin at Tour Central (TC) for an overview of the whole Tour.
• From TC, go anywhere! You don’t need to visit the studios in numerical order!
• Look for the official Tour white flag and the GAC issued Studio Tour number at the end of studio driveways.
• Book your accommodations early, either on island or in Nanaimo.
• Cell service is poor on many parts of Gabriola; load our interactive Google Map in advance.
Studio Tour Raffle
GAC is thrilled to announce an absolutely abundant Studio Tour
Raffle, this year featuring works by 18 of our participating Tour
artists as well as a $200 gift card from Nanaimo’s Iron Oxide Art
Supplies, collectively valued at over $7,000!
Your raffle tickets will enter you to win work by:
Morag Orr-Stevens (Studio 14)
David Aris (Studio 18)
Jonathan Hoskins (Studio 23)
Sandra Civitarese (Studio 24)
Rick Corless (Studio 27)
Susan Isaac & Marn Williams (Studio 30)
Corinne Flaws (Studio 31)
Karen Cain (Studio 34)
Karen Curry (Studio 35)
Susie Gilmour (Studio 45)
Brendalee Astells (Studio 46)
Linda Vavra (Studio 47)
Caroline James (Studio 49)
Jade Krupa (Studio 55)
Hilary Farmer (Studio 57)
Elsa Bluethner (Studio 58)
Graham Sheehan (Studio 62)
As well as our grand prize artwork, contributed by
Alice Rich (Studio 33)!
Online Creative Directory
Meet the Artists of Gabriola Island. Hear their stories and see a sample of their work. Some artwork is for sale online, some is only available for purchase in-person.
Gabriola Island, a rural community with a high proportion of professional artists, ranks sixth across Canada for concentration of artists in the workforce. Artists are key to the island’s cultural, economic, and social fabric.
Together We Cultivate the Arts
Year after year, a large team of volunteers help make the Thanksgiving Studio Tour a success – and keep the event free.
Would you like to get involved? We are looking for more volunteers.
this program is made possible by:
Our Board and Staff
Gabriola Arts Council Board of Directors
The Directors of the Gabriola Arts Council form a hard-working and committed volunteer Board that directs and guides the staff, volunteers, and the organization.
We are always interested in hearing from members who have new ideas or who would like to volunteer to help with events or fundraising. Contact us!