Quadra Island Studio Tour brings biggest lineup in 23 years

For one special June weekend, Quadra Island will once again transform into one of British Columbia’s most inspiring open-air galleries as the 2026 Quadra Island Studio Tour returns for its 23rd annual celebration of art, creativity and place. Taking place Saturday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the self-guided tour invites Vancouver Islanders and visitors to explore 36 artists and collectives at 27 studio locations across the island — the largest and most

diverse tour in the event’s history. For the first time, select studios will also open Friday, June 5 from 6 – 9 p.m. for an informal evening preview. The tour’s tagline, Where Art and Nature Intertwine, reflects what has made the event a favourite destination for art lovers for more than two decades: the rare opportunity to experience exceptional artwork within the forests, farms, waterfronts and rural landscapes that inspire it. “Visitors are not simply walking through galleries,” organizers say. “They are travelling scenic back

roads, meeting artists where they create, and experiencing Quadra Island itself as part of the artistic journey.” This year’s tour showcases an extraordinary range of artistic practices, including painting, pottery, jewellery, sculpture, photography, fibre arts, woodworking, calligraphy, antler and bone carving and mixed-media work in both two- and three-dimensional forms. The event also highlights the remarkable concentration of professional artists on Quadra Island, a community of just 3,000 residents. With 27 participating studios and 36 artists and collectives, the island boasts a creative density that

rivals much larger arts regions. Equally compelling are the stories behind the artists themselves. Martha and Gordon James, beloved members of the island’s arts community, are celebrating 50 years as partners in art and life on Quadra Island. Having never pursued careers outside their pottery and printmaking practices, they represent a rare lifelong dedication to artistic expression. Portrait artist Perrin Sparks built an acclaimed career as a medical illustrator at Stanford Medical School before moving into senior teaching roles at major medical universities. Her contemporary

portraiture reflects that extraordinary anatomical precision and observational skill. This will also mark Sparks’ final year on the tour before relocating closer to family. Sculptor Lee Gass brings together art and science through work informed by his career as Professor Emeritus of Zoology. Master calligrapher David Morris lives aboard his boat, while internationally exhibited textile artist Marni McMahan creates contemporary quilts that have toured globally. Award-winning wildlife artist Kevin Johnson may also be familiar to B.C. Ferries travellers — he could very well be the

person directing vehicles onto the ferry to Quadra Island. In addition to the island-wide studios, another nine artists and collectives will exhibit at the Quadra Island Community Centre, where visitors can view a pop-up gallery featuring work from all participating artists before beginning the self-guided tour. Barb’s Basket Pop-up Brazilian Café will provide lunch and refreshments onsite. The Studio Tour has become a signature early-summer event for Vancouver Island residents, many of whom make the quick ferry trip from Campbell River to spend a day

— or an entire weekend — exploring the island’s thriving creative culture. Maps and studio guides are available at Quadra Island businesses including Tru Value, Coast Community Credit Union, Cove Pharmacy and the Quadra Island Community Centre, or online at Quadra Island Arts

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