The Sunshine Coast Art Crawl kicks off Oct. 19-21. For such a small stretch of coastline, our community houses an abundance of painters, mixed media artists, sculptors, writers and other creative types. I wanted to learn more about this fabulous event, which brings thousands of visitors through the doors of local businesses and generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for Sunshine Coast artists and local businesses.

Linda Williams heads up The Coast Cultural Alliance (CCA), which has put on the event for 8 years running. This membership organization’s mandate is to support and promote artists on the Sunshine Coast. They formed in 1998, and produced their first Purple Banner Studio and Gallery Guide in 2001, which you may have seen on BC Ferries and throughout town.  But, they soon realized the potential for hosting a concentrated event, where artists and galleries could draw back the curtain on their studios for a behind the scenes look at how these creative works come to life.

In 2010, they hosted the inaugural Sunshine Coast Art Crawl with 75 venues, showcasing 120 artists. This year, they’re set to feature 165 venues and 380 artists – with a waiting list to boot. Venues range from local businesses, such as a Golf Club, distilleries, public market, (no coffee shops and restaurants although they support with artists work in them). There’s even a contingent of artists coming over from the Powell River area. They’ll be exhibiting in the hall beside the Gibsons Legion.

“The joy [the artists] get out of it is the validity – that people come in and look at their work,” Linda says. “To them, it’s great if you make sales – and last year our sales were up to $400,000 – but, even if they don’t sell stuff, just talking to people and talking about art and people appreciating what of they’re doing – that has a huge impact as an artist.”

From an artists’ perspective, the crawl gives them a chance to be seen, to network and to share their vision with the world. I caught up with two prominent artists on The Coast to learn more about what the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl means to them:

MARLEEN VERMEULEN  

Marleenart.com

@marleenvermeulen

Marleen Veermeulen is an amazing landscape painter. Originally from Holland, she took to the arts at a very young age. After studying for graphic design and having a successful career in The Netherlands and London, she immigrated to Canada with her husband and two young children. It was then that her life on the Sunshine Coast began.

With her husband commuting to Vancouver, Marleen opted to be a stay at home mom. Slowly, she began picking up painting again, but soon discovered it was much more than just a part-time hobby.

“If you want to become a painter, you need to paint. I started painting an hour and a half to two hours per day,” says Marleen. “That really gave me traction internally and in my results.

When she realized her potential, Marleen was determined to get representation. She funded and hosted her own art showing in Vancouver in hopes that she would attract a curator. And, it worked! She’s now represented by Kurbatoff Art Gallery in Vancouver.

Marleen’s incredibly vibrant and detailed paintings leap off the canvas. Her subjects –  cherry blossoms, old growth cedars, wildlife, and ocean vistas – are characterized by dancing light, dreamy hues and a sense of romance.

“If i think about why i’m painting … it’s about connection with the subject first of all. Like it’s the subject that you get to know better because if you paint the forest or the ocean, you start looking at it differently. You have a more intimate relationship with it,,” Marleen says. “…Going on that journey of creative expression I think, ultimately, you connect with yourself. You come across yourself so many times. I always say I move the paint around until it feels right.”

Marleen says she needs a combination of introspection and community, so the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl is a great way for her to connect with her fellow artists – and new clients. In fact, her home studio sees approximately 1,000 people throughout the course of the three days. More and more, she’s noticing a Vancouver crowd taking notice of the event.

“I really enjoy being part of the Art Crawl. I find it amazing how many people get mobilized. Visitors, but also artists and how many volunteers are included. For me it’s always a very happy and positive experience. Everybody always seems to be so happy and engaged. Everybody seems to really enjoy it.

With a body of work that spans 15 years or so, Marleen is keen to share her artistic process with others – to help them connect with their inner creative, and themselves in the process. She and her business partner/fellow artist Marlene Lowden host annual art/yoga retreats to Jeseu, Spain through their Open Your Art tour company. The next trip is scheduled for September 2019, so if you’re feeling inspired after the Art Crawl, this could very well be your next step. After all, Marleen started painting again, and look what happened!

TODD CLARK

toddclarkstudio.org

@toddclarkstudio

Facebook/toddclarkstudio

Todd Clark is an abstract painter who has called the Sunshine Coast home for 25 years. My husband Ross discovered him while he was hunting for artwork to place on one of the movie sets he was working on. Ever since, we have both been fans of Todd’s work.

Like Marleen, Todd began his interest in art at a young age. But, an interest in sports sidelined his artistic endeavours until he was into his 30s. That’s when the magic happened. HIs move to the Coast gave him the space and mental freedom to pursue his creative passions.

A a self-professed introvert Todd was too shy to share his work around at the start of his career. His wife, Carol, was the one who brought his work to galleries and generated interest in his colourful and emotional pieces.

Now, Todd is a well-respected artist,, both on the Sunshine Coast and across Canada. Hes represented at Shane Norrie Gallery, Canvas Gallery, The Art Junction Whistler, and Art Works Vancouver.

He’s also a teacher in North Vancouver and is a District Art Specialist with Artists for Kids at the Gordon Smith Gallery. Through this program, he introduces elementary school aged children to the world of art.

So, how does Todd ideate and deliver these incredible pieces? When I asked him about that, he shared a favourite quote by American painter, Charles Thomas “Chuck” Close: “Inspiration is for amateurs.”

“Really if you’re a working artist, the work doesn’t come from inspiration, it comes from work,” Todd explains. “It comes from putting the time in, from exploring, failing, succeeding, all those things. It’s all part of the process of creating art. So inspiration – that’s kind of a romantic notion about art. I think art usually comes from hard work and dedication and just committing yourself to it.”

Todd believes that The Art Crawl is a great asset for the Sunshine Coast Community and helps gives context to an artists’ work when people can visit their studio and see how the work is created.

“[The Art Crawl] is so good for the community. Absolutely stupendous.”

Come visit Todd’s studio this weekend or be sure to check out one of his painting workshops. I’ll be visiting his studio not only for the art but also for cuddles with their three horses, four dogs and peacocks!

For more information on the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl visit sunshinecoastartcrawl.com and follow them on instagram: @sunshineartscrawl.

oday, I’m going to take you behind the scenes with how we staged this gorgeous property. This is a value added service I offer my clients for free. But, the truth is, I absolutely love home staging.…

Before After

Why Staging?

Staging is a very important part of listing a home as it helps merchandise the property for its potential. With the right finishing touches, you can showcase the stand-out features, and inspire buyers to envision themselves spending time there.

Every time we take a look at a property for staging, it’s all about the end goal. My inspiration for staging has very much been influenced by my husband Ross, who works as a production designer in the film industry. When he reads a new script, he’s always thinking “what’s the end user seeing?” Keeping the end viewer in mind helps him craft vivid worlds, different times and, in some cases, different galaxies but for me its the home buyer being able to see the home in its fullest potential.

This particular cabin is perfect for a first home owner or a family looking for a vacation property to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. So, with that in mind, I envisioned a young, hip professional couple or family with a vintage style, and an appreciation for nostalgic touches.

How to Furnish When Staging

When you’re staging you don’t always want hop on modern trends if it doesn’t fit with the property. In this case, with it being a very original cabin, I wanted to keep its authenticity and really highlight the vintage feel of it.

I have a whole vault of stuff I pull out. For this project, it was very much vintage, old school props and staging materials that really highlight the rustic cabin. I used old clocks from an English train station, and our vintage 1950s radio, which we brought over from England when we moved here. I even added in my personal collection of hats, which create a slightly “lived in” look.

I always love to add finishing touches like throws and pillows to create a cozy atmosphere – especially for a cabin! Throughout the space, I added in Pendleton and Hudson’s Bay blankets. I also found some great furnishings from Blue Magnolia in Sechelt and Ikhaya Boutique in Lower Gibsons.

Also, I often borrow items from my own property if they fit the space. In this case, I used our vintage single twin bed in the second bedroom.

With the wooden tones of the cabin, we wanted to add in some bright accent colours. The rug in the living room is a signature piece and ads in a nice pop of colour and texture to the space. To complement the earthy tones of the interior, I also added in greenery and plants to breathe life into the space and capitalize on a current trend.

With this property, we also took a look at the front garden. There had been an old shed that was taken down and it was a bit of a barren spot. We added in a fire pit and added in some bright Muskoka chairs to demonstrate the potential of the backyard.

Staging With Other Realtors In Mind

Coming from a real estate agent perspective, we get new listings online every day. When we’re looking for a client in specific areas. There could be 20-30 different properties that pop up in MLS and all you get is a little thumbnail image. I’m staging with a hero picture in mind to attract other realtors and make my listing stand out.

I often switch out that hero photo to keep the listing fresh, so it’s best to have a bank of good images that you can swap out so you can keep the listing fresh on MLS.

Before After After

So, there you have it. A window into the staging process – and perhaps some design ideas for your own home too!

Interested in listing your home? I can help. Contact me for a consultation.

The skate scene on the Sunshine Coast is rolling along nicely, thanks to David “Hally” Hallstead, founder of the SCBC Sk8 Skool Society – a non-profit that aims to teach children and youth skate lessons and life skills.

As a Winnipeg native originally, Hally found a supportive community in the city’s skate scene after he was laughed off his basketball team (poor guy). His vision is to introduce Sunshine Coast kids to the sport, while instilling positive values and discovering a sense of belonging.

“At its core, I’m more interested in people than skating. This is about mentorship and life lessons, and also changing the face of skateboarding because it had a pretty negative stigma for a while,” explains Hally, who is an alternative school educator by day. “It’s in the next Olympics. It’s a real sport. I want people to fund it that way and I want people to respect it that way.”

Hally – also known as “Hallywood” – encourages each Sk8 Skool participant to adopt their own alter ego, giving them a chance to express themselves creatively. He considers himself the “principal” of the school, and facilitates peer mentoring amongst the students by empowering them to teach one another.

He makes a special effort to connect with each and every kid in the program, to let them feel seen and heard: “My opening line is ‘Hey, what’s up. What’s your name? Can I try your board?’”

But, Hally doesn’t take credit for everything – he’s adamant that it’s really a team effort.  Hally has assembled the FRGL (pronounced “fragile”) Skate Team. The team, sponsored by Hally’s side project, FRGL Skates brand, is comprised of more advanced skaters who he mentors to become coaches for the newer skaters. They even signed their first girl recently!

The community effort continues as Skate Angels (skate moms), help Hally keep everything running smoothly by assisting with some of the administrative tasks and first aid needs to give him more time with the kids.

“Really at the end of the day I don’t think of Sk8 Skool so much as a class. … It’s a space for kids to [spend time]. We do a life lesson, we do a skate lesson and then we skate. We teach every kid that if you’re better than the kid next to you, then you’re their teacher.”

Sk8 Skool crew has a set of 5 rules they abide by, which I think we can ALL learn from:

1. Character. Community. Sk8 (In that order)
2. You HAVE to do what you HAVE to do BEFORE you do what you WANT to do!
3. Pain can be your friend. (It has a lot to teach you)
4. You learn more from your MISTAKES than your Victories. (But, always celebrate your victories).
5. Remember you are FRAGILE, so you must learn BALANCE!

If you master these lessons, then you will be “ABOVE THE BOARD”

Hally says the most common feedback he receives from parents is not that the kids are better skaters, but rather that they’re better people. Recently, a parent gushed that in just two weeks of Sk8 Skool, their kid was more polite and even washed the dishes more regularly.

But, skate skills do improve in leaps and bounds too.

“We have kids come at the beginning of the summer who have never been on a board before, and then we take them to the West Van skate park at the end of the summer and they’re riding on ramps,” he remarks proudly.

Being a non-profit, Sk8 Skool relies on donations, grants and sponsors. I’m proud to be one of his sponsors, among many other amazing community businesses.

The program costs $100 by donation. Families can also choose to provide a donation that covers the program costs for families who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

This year, Sunshine Coast Community Foundation provided funding to the Christian Life Foundation, which has sponsored Sk8 Skool’s community skate party – a showcase of skate culture on the coast, featuring big name skate brands like Vans, Skull Skates and RDS.

Sk8 Skool runs July 11-26 and August 8-23 with an end-of-summer field trip to the West Vancouver Skate Park on August 29.  Weekly classes are run from on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm-5:30pm.

Connect with Sk8 Skool on Facebook or visit their registration site to sign your child up.

Gibsons is abuzz with chatter about the town’s newest restaurant, Buono Osteria . This gorgeous space that overlooks the marina on Marine Drive and is bringing a new brand of authentic, family-style Italian dining to the Sunshine Coast.

Buono Osteria is all about upscale cuisine in a casual atmosphere with a focus on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Co-owners Mike Buono and Ryan Kingsberry have meticulously curated a friendly and welcoming dining experience with locals in mind.

Mike, Osteria’s executive chef, is the son of Wally Buono, a first generation immigrant from Italy. You may recognize the Buono name. For many years Wally coached and played for the CFL including the BC Lions. While he’s widely known for his community involvement and dynamic personality, his lesser-known passion for food is ultimately what shaped Mike’s keen interest in pursuing a culinary career.

“Some of my earliest memories as a three- or four-year-old kid are my dad calling me over to taste sauce and saying: ‘Tell me what it needs,’” Mike reminisces. “My love for food was instilled at a young age due to the cultural heritage.”

From wood fired oven pizzas to homemade pastas to a variety of decadent tasting plates, the menu is jam-packed with familiar favourites from the Old Country. While the essence of Italian cuisine remains, Mike adds a personal touch, inspired by his fine dining experience.

“A lot of the dishes are classic dishes for me and my family – things that we did on a regular basis every Sunday,” says Mike. “The tradition of waking up and making the pizza dough and cooking the sauce and the meatballs – that’s just an inherent part of our culture.”

Highlight include the the L’uovo pizza, featuring a poached egg on top for ooey gooey goodness, as well as the Fungi pizza featuring wild mushrooms and traditional fonduta truffle cheese sauce. Meanwhile, the English Pea Agnolotti pasta offers a delicately layered flavour profile – and a very nostalgic taste of home for me.

Kids are welcome in the restaurant. Ryan says that’s why they open early – to allow for a quick stop for food (and a glass of wine for the parents) before bedtime.  The kids will especially love the Margarita pizza, which is packed with delicious unprocessed ingredients and most importantly, lots of cheese.

With such a mouth watering menu (which has gluten free options!), it’s only natural that the drink and craft cocktail menu has been carefully created to complement. In addition to a great selection of BC wines and beers, Buono  Osteria also offers a selection of Amaro based cocktails. This infused herb and botanical-infused liquor- traditionally called a “digestif” – is extremely popular in Europe and makes for a great before or after meal tipple.

The menu is only part of the experience, however. The interior design is stunning. Mike and Ryan worked with my friends at Hanson Land and Sea to build bold wood detailing within the space. In fact, some of the feature pieces are built from a 1,000-year-old log the Hansons salvaged less than 10-kilometres from the restaurant.

The 92-seat restaurant has regular table seating, as well as bar seating near the open plan kitchen, where you’ll have the opportunity to watch food preparation and have a chat with Chef Mike. There is also a gorgeous private room overlooking the marina, which can be rented out for special occasions.

Considering Ryan and Mike only took possession of the space in February, it’s astounding how much work they’ve done to prepare for their launch this month. That’s because their vision for a restaurant began long before they entered the space. Mike and Ryan – both who have long standing careers in the culinary world – began working in Vancouver kitchens together three years ago and instantly clicked.

It wasn’t long before Mike and his wife decided to move to the Sunshine Coast from their home in Vancouver. Mike’s wife had grown up on The Coast, her family was here, real estate was affordable and they wanted a quieter lifestyle.

“The first time Mike showed me the Sunshine Coast … immediately, I knew that this was home,” says Ryan, an Ontario native.  He made the pilgrimage to The Coast soon after and now has an apartment in Gibsons and also a trailer on property up at Earl’s Cove, which he adores visiting often.

What Mike and Ryan are most proud of is the fact that they have assembled an all-star team and worked closely with local residents to build a space for the community.

“Ultimately, we’ve come up with a product that’s custom made for the people here. We love the fact that we’re in a tourist town. The tourists are great, they bring something really special to us,” says Ryan, Buono Osteria’s hospitality director. “But ultimately we want to be a local’s spot that caters to the locals of the town.”

Ryan offers a key insight for any business starting out here on the Sunshine Coast:  “We recognize that we’re in the relationship business first and the food and drink business second. Our success and what is going to separate us from everybody else is the relationships that we have with our community and with our staff.”

Buono Osteria is located at 442 Marine Drive in Gibsons and open Wednesday to Monday from 4pm-11pm. Connect with them on Facebook or visit them online at eatbuono.com.

Contact me

The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery opened its doors in Gibsons in August 2017, staking its claim as one of The Coast’s hottest new establishments.

Joining the ranks of Persephone Brewing and Gibsons Tapworks, who have helped put the Sunshine Coast on the BC Ale Trail map, The 101 differentiates itself from the other breweries by offering a full service menu – for lunch and dinner now – as well as its very own distillery.

The 101’s all star team brings with them a wealth of experience, knowledge and innovation. Restaurateurs Kelly and Chris Greenfield partnered up with renowned local developer David Longman of Longman Developments to launch this project. David has a long list of successful development projects in the region.

Chris and Kelly met in 1999 when Kelly’s parents bought the Troller Pub where Chris was working for the previous owner at the time. Chris and Kelly became partners in The Queens Cross with Chris’s brother Patrick in 2005 and later, The Wicklow Pub in False Creek. In 2013, Chris and Kelly – along with Kelly’s sister, Kim – became partners with their parents and moved the Troller Pub to its current location in Horseshoe Bay. The Troller is a popular spot for commuters and tourists and serves many Sunshine Coast “regulars” on a daily basis.

Having lived for 10 years on The Coast – and commuting to work for most of it – they longed to own and operate a business on our side of the pond. After two years of planning and building with the partnership of David, their dream has come true.

Head chef Christine Deyoung joins The 101 team, coming from her position as regional chef for the Tacofino restaurant group. Christine’s mouth-watering Latin-fusion menu features tacos, Gringas, sandwiches and a variety of delicious starters.

“Everything is new and original and each dish has it’s own flavour profile,” says Chris. You’re not going to taste anything like this anywhere else.”

What brewhouse and distillery would be complete without rock stars at the helm of the alcohol production?

Brewmaster Matt Smith, recently won first place in the German Wheat Beer Category at the 2017 BC Beer Awards. He cut his teeth at Persephone, and jumped at the chance to take the coveted position at The 101 when it opened. He’s crafted a varied offering of beers to whet any whistle, including the Bob’s Auto Lager (which pays homage to the auto repair shop that existed in the building for many years), Outboard Motor Oatmeal Porter and Tall Faller IPA, among other delights.

The 101 distillery creates gin and vodka, crafted by head distiller, Shawn Milsted. He has a background in the film industry, but always had a passion for distilling. He’s since turned his hobby into a career.

The house-made spirits power the ever-changing cocktail menu, created by Kelly. Bricker Bite, Lebowski’s Breakfast and Mai T-IPA,  are just a few of the current cocktail menu highlights. They use fresh and seasonal ingredients wherever possible.

“What we learned early in the process is that [the brewing community] is a really collaborative community, and everyone’s really supportive of each other,” says Chris. “The Tapworks guys came to our city council meeting and we didn’t even know them or who they were. So, it was really cool to have that immediate support.”

As The 101 team looks to 2018, they’ll be expanding their events calendar to include more live music and live art nights. They are also open to hosting private functions and will continue to explore and innovate their culinary, cocktail and beer offerings.

“We’re just realizing right now that you can’t do anything like this without community support. It’s essential to get involved with the community. To listen to people who are coming in,” says Chris. “Everyone has their own story and their own reasons for being here. But, the main thing is that everyone who lives on The Coast loves being on The Coast. They will support and they want to support.”

Learn more about The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery by visiting them online at the101.ca, or Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

There’s a new dining hot spot in Gibsons and I just can’t get enough of their new menu and fresh approach.

The Drift Cafe & Bistro (formerly The Nova Kitchen) is a tiny locale perched atop a hill on Gibsons Way, with gorgeous views of the stunning Salish Sea. The restaurant is the brainchild of chefs Tim and Ben, who’ve known one another for almost 17 years, since their days of cooking school. Both chefs have had extensive careers in the industry and are new to the Sunshine Coast. Tim moved from East Vancouver just two years ago and Ben just moved from North Vancouver this winter to help re-open the restaurant. The pair partnered with Omar who is based in Vancouver.

“With the Nova Kitchen, we liked a lot of the things they did around keeping things local, so we‘re trying to stay on the track with the way that Chef Paul had gone,” says Tim. “One thing we noticed that was really missing [in Gibsons] is a place that was a combination of value … but also really good food,” he says, adding that he and his wife Stephanie used to leave Gibsons to go out for dinner, in search of either more affordable options or higher-end food.

He explains: “Drift is making that bridge of really good, comforting food, but with a bit more of a fine dining flair to it.”

Drift is the kind of place where you can enjoy a delicious brunch for under $15, or an evening entré for under $25 as you overlook the ocean from their patio. While the prices are reasonable, you’ll find a carefully curated cocktail and wine list; with little twists to common items, like adding housemade pickles to the Caesar, or a grapefruit and saje Mimosa. Sip on Moet & Chandon bubbles or enjoy a casual pint of local craft beer on the patio – anything goes.

Meanwhile, the menu is simple, but flavourful bistro dining with hints of Italian, French and new American cooking. Currently they’re offering a weekend brunch 9am-2pm and a dinner service Thursday to Monday (with plans to expand their opening times in the near future). One of the signature dining experiences is the three-course meal, which includes a starter, a main and a dessert for just $35. Choose from mouth watering items like the salted ling cod croquette, farro risotto, and a yogurt panna cotta.

Drift is constantly evolving, says Tim. Coffee-lovers will be happy to hear they’ve installed a new high-end Simonelli coffee machine and are partnering with Vancouver-based Moja coffee to source the coffee in efforts to ramp up their early morning offerings. The team is also planning to expand the patio and looking into a beer garden.

If you haven’t already noticed, Tim is a pretty busy fellow. He also co-owns a company called Ginger Jars Food with his wife, (which I’ll be talking about in another blog) and works at a cooking school in Downtown Vancouver.  Given his penchant for entrepreneurship and his recent move to The Coast, I asked him the most important tip for new business owners in the area:

“Consult the locals. People are pretty open with [sharing] their opinions, which is pretty awesome, but if you don’t consult them, there’s a lot of little things that are kind of unique to The Coast that I’ve found you have to be aware of,” he says.

So, there you have it: business advice, plus a great new dining location in the heart of Gibsons to boot.

Find The Drift Cafe & Bistro online at drift-gibsons.ca, on Facebook  or Instagram @DriftGibsons.

According to the Coast Reporter, the total property values on the Sunshine Coast sit somewhere between $10.35 billion and $11.99 billion. BC Assessment indicates that Gibsons has seen the largest average increases in all property classes. Here, residential assessments are up 17.93 % on average. In Sechelt, residential home values increased by 17.44%.

When your property value increases, it’s only natural to start thinking about the potential of selling your home. If you’re thinking about selling in 2018, here are three ways to prepare for  listing your property:

1. Start with your goals

When you first decide to sell your home, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of home improvements and getting the property listed. However, before you dive in, take some time to sit down and write out your goals for the home. Here are some questions I ask my clients when we first meet:

• What are your reasons for selling?
• What are your timelines for moving?
• Is timing or pricing most important?
• Do you anticipate any challenges with selling your home?
• What we will do first: list and sell, or buy a new home?
• If your upgrading to a more expensive home, are you pre-approved for your mortgage for your new purchase?

2. Create a home improvement plan

Even simple updates, like a fresh coat of paint and new appliances can make a huge difference in perceived home value. Small improvements like tightening door handles, fixing leaky faucets or replacing blinds, can be cheap and quick. Meanwhile, larger improvements like new kitchen cabinets, interior painting, exterior landscaping or even full on renovations will take more time and budget to accomplish.

Make an inventory of home updates that need to be made and prioritize them in order of what tasks will have the greatest impact on your home value.  Create a budget and work-back schedule to keep yourself focused and on track.

3. Bring on the right partners

Start looking at the property as a business venture. Every successful business has the right people at the table, and your home listing is no exception. Finding the right real estate agent is part of the equation, but you may also need to source contractors and home staging experts to help showcase your home in the best possible light.

Review your goals and your home improvement plan and find experts who have an aligned vision and values. It’s so much easier when you are working with a great team.

For more steps on preparing your home, read my previous post, “How To Sell Your Home In 10 Easy Steps”.

Interested in selling your home in 2018? Contact me for a consultation!

Not many people can say they’ve made art for the Royal Family. But, Sunshine Coast artist Robert Studer sure can. He’s also made pieces for the Duke and Duchess of York, and a host of other dignitaries.

Robert and his wife, Beth, are both accomplished artists and owners of The Art Loft Airbnb in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. Under their umbrella company ‘this is it’, Robert and Beth run the Airbnb and their respective artist brands: Beth Hawthorn Design and Robert  Studer Creative.

Beth is a graphic designer and mixed media artist. Robert creates custom works and art exhibits for homes, corporate spaces and other high-end clientele. His signature pieces feature glass, metal and natural objects. In addition to the commissioned work he completed for the Government of Canada, his work can also be found in buildings created by renowned architects and interior designers.

Here on the Sunshine Coast, you’ll find creativity and culture around every corner. There must be something in that salty sea breeze that attracts artists, performers and makers to our beautiful coastline. The secluded hamlet of Roberts Creek is an epicentre for the flourishing art community.

Robert and Beth first moved onto their five-acre property 11 years ago. At the time, the only structures on the property were a few outhouses and a bare bones, multi-level horse barn, built by a “bachelor cowboy” who lived a very simple life.

The irony is that they weren’t too impressed with the space when they first reviewed the listing. But a viewing changed all that.

The pair had “lofty” ideas for this property. “One of the reasons we moved to the Sunshine Coast from Vancouver was to put our business and our home on the same property,” says Beth. “That was the whole point of it.”

Once completing their home renovations, they set to work on building the studio. At least 50% of the design is crafted from upcycled or recycled wood, metal and glass salvaged from architect friends, old saw mills and various other businesses.

The Art Loft has a West Coast- inspired exterior, but the interior has an ultra-modern, clean design aesthetic. The space is more than just a place for visitors to hang their hats – it’s a window into the flourishing art scene on The Coast – and some might say a catalyst too.

“This space can transform into several different configurations,” says Robert, explaining that the walls were purposefully painted white for exhibiting art, and they have wheels so they can be shifted around. “It provides an opportunity for us to have really unique, creative events take place: performances, gatherings, large installations. Whatever we want to do.”

One of their signature events is their annual Sunshine Coast Art Crawl exhibition, held at the studio. Each year, they carefully curate their art exhibit, and craft a buzzing atmosphere fueled by inspiration, creativity and creative play.

Robert still remembers one epic event they hosted at The Art Loft for the Roberts Creek Arts Festival, which included circus acts, stilt walkers, live food and art demonstrations, and an incredible turn-out.

Now, with the Airbnb having just launched, Robert and Beth are excited to welcome new visitors to The Coast; encouraging them to explore the culture of our community – as well as the natural beauty. After all, nature is the best muse of all; with her hidden grottos and secret waterfalls – both of which are within walking distance of the B&B.

As the Sunshine Coast enters its new renaissance, Robert and Beth are pleased to be part of it – and to help shape the evolution.

“Come here with your dream and work towards fulfilling it,” says Robert. “[The Sunshine Coast] is a remote area that will evolve a certain kind of culture and I want to contribute to that change in a quality, meaningful and creative way.”

Experience THE ART LOFT for yourself!  Enter my Coastal Life Contest for a chance to win a 2 night stay, a $50 gift certificate to Kube Studios, plus a growler and $25 gift certificate to Highway 101 Distillery and Brewery.

Find this is it online at thisisit.ca, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

From floor to ceiling and wall to wall, every nook and cranny in The Kube Studios is filled with bright and eclectic artisan pieces. One part art gallery, one part artist incubator, and one part retail store, Kube is a bright, vibrant space filled to the brim with inspiration.

Located in Gibsons, the 2,600 square foot space started with humble beginnings as a three-person venture in the home of Christa Joe, a 20-year resident of the Sunshine Coast.

Christa soon unearthed the budding opportunity to provide a larger studio space and support network for local artists. Soon after she began to evolve her business model, she met Jill Pilon, who had recently relocated from East Vancouver. Jill had brought with her fresh ideas and a vision for how to nurture the artist community on the Sunshine Coast.

“We really needed to ramp up our studio space and make it more of an art incubator,” Christa says. “When [Jill] came on board, we decided to do the expansion and now we can accommodate 11 artists as opposed to 5. We have a classroom space and everything. I think we do finally consider ourselves an art incubator on The Coast.”

The Kube has 10 artists in residence, who have studio space, gain access to inspiring workshops and are supported by co-op marketing efforts through the business.

Kube’s art gallery and retail space features art and hand-crafted artisan pieces from the Sunshine Coast, as well as creative works from as far away as New York. They’ve attracted quite a following and host an art opening and wine night on the first Friday of the month featuring a different artist each time.

Christa has also forged strong partnerships with several women’s empowerment organizations, and sells gorgeous textiles, bags and other items that help support women in nations, such as Ghana, Rwanda and Turkey.

Jill has helped create a burgeoning workshop program for The Kube Studios – with offerings for both adults and children of all skill levels. There are a variety of sessions each year, covering creative skills like painting, textiles, weaving, wool dying, photography, skin care, wreath making, macrame and more. They even do private women’s wine and paint nights for special occasions.

“Primarily, the reason why I really wanted to ramp up the workshops is because when I left East Van, I kind of left my artist community there,” she explains. “So, [I wanted] to continually be inspired and not have to take a ferry. …. I wanted to bring a little bit of the artist community over here so it keeps things fresh and new and interesting. When you’re constantly inspired it just keeps you going.”

While art is a huge part of Christa and Jill’s lives – and many who frequent Kube Studios for inspiration, support and community – there is no greater joy or inspiration than spending time by the ocean. The ladies both reminisce about bonfires by the beach and summer night swims, as well as heavenly hikes in the backcountry.

I asked the ladies if they had any advice for folks looking to start up a business on The Coast. Here’s what Christa said:

“Do it. The coast is growing. There’s just an influx of new people. We’re hungry for change and I think that if people are looking to open up a business now is the time. If you don’t jump at the opportunity to do it, someone else is going to.”

Fill up on Kube Studios artisan goodies this winter by entering my Coastal Living Contest. I’m giving away two, 2-night stays here on the Sunshine Coast. Each package includes a $50 gift certificate from Kube Studios. Enter now!

Find Kube Studios on Facebook and Instagram and visit them online at thekubestudios.com.