Discovering West Coast Art on Salt Spring

An arbutus tree stretching out over the water. The fin of a killer whale cresting through waves or the sun peaking out over layers of hazy blue mountains. These are all telltale signs you've landed in the West Coast art world. From West Coast Indigenous art to modern abstract landscapes, this creative space is profoundly moving.

Salt Spring Island sits in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and is part of the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations and the Hul'quimi'num Treaty Group. For as long as anyone can remember, there have been artists here. This unique cultural heritage has meant it's become a modern-day oasis for the arts on a regional and global level.

If you've come to immerse yourself in this wild, ocean-infused West Coast aesthetic, there is so much here to explore. Here’s where to start.

Salt Spring Island's West Coast Indigenous Art And Coast Salish artists at Artcraft

Salt Spring Island is home to a passionate community of Indigenous artists who weave tradition, storytelling, and contemporary design into their work. 

There is Quentin Harris, a multidisciplinary Salish artist, educator, and filmmaker, who shares his culture through carvings, paintings, and community projects.

Krysta Furioso of Only Child Handicrafts creates stunning beadwork inspired by Ojibwe patterns and Coast Salish influences.

For fibre arts lovers, find Good Woman Hand Craft by Jenessa, who offers handcrafted sheepskin creations and crocheted accessories, blending Métis heritage with modern techniques.

As you explore around Ganges, don't forget to wander by the Indigenous mural at the Salt Spring Island Public Library and the collection of Coast Salish art. This collaboration is between local Indigenous youth, community partners, and acclaimed Quw'utsun artist, Charlene Johnny. Featuring contributions from Quw'utsun, W̱SÁNEĆ, and Penelakut artists, the mural is a testament to the island's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

Wild and Ocean-Infused West Coast Art

Zooming out, the art on the West Coast revolves around a common theme: nature. From acrylics to ceramics to wood and beyond, whatever the medium, the West Coast aesthetic highlights all the creatures, landscapes, and colours that make this place so magical.

And because the world of West Coast art is so expensive, so are the ways West Coast artists work within it. You could find yourself lost in the striking abstract paintings of Sibéal Foyle, an Irish & Canadian visual artist who landed here in 2017. Or the soft curves of a hand-carved whale tail made by Ken Rawluk, an island woodworker and artist. 

For more three-dimensional explorations of a West Coast theme, Wayne Hammon is a ceramicist living on Salt Spring who pulls from an international terrain of inspiration for his raku creations. Bears and other BC animals make active appearances in his work.

Then, for musings on the intersections of ocean, forest, and shorelines, check out Gillian Gandossi, a landscape painter who works almost exclusively within the West Coast colour palette.

But, of course, these artists are just the tip of the iceberg. From Southey Point through Ganges and all the way to Musgrave Landing, Salt Spring Island is home to a beautifully diverse community of creators and artists who all embody that one-of-a-kind West Coast art style you've been searching for.

Finding West Coast Art on Salt Spring Island

Art galleries abound around the island. In Ganges and further afield, you'll find more than a few private galleries showcasing West Coast artists from the region and a bit further abroad. 

But for a much more local focus, check out Artcraft, a long-time seasonal gallery curated by Salt Spring Arts of fine arts and crafts produced right here in the Salish Sea. 

From oil paintings to fibre arts to sculptures and beyond, this collection focuses on artists who call Salt Spring home, the people who are inspired every day by the West Coast’s natural environment. This is a uniquely Salt Spring take on the West Coast aesthetic.