People, Arts & Culture

. . . Sunshine Coast style

Also, click to visit the comprehensive BIGPACIFIC MONTHLY CALENDAR for monthly events.

MAIN ARTS & CULTURE EVENTS

Please visit the Main Annual Calendar of Events
for full annual calendar
April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge - April
Gibsons Jazz Festival - June
Howe Sound Outrigger Canoe Races - July
Gibsons Sea Cavalcade - July
Festival of the Written Arts - August
Gibsons Fibre Arts Festival - August
Pender Harbour Jazz Festival - September

Artwork Tours/Destination Sunshine Coast
Coast Cultural Alliance
Calendar of Events
Museums
"Sunshine Sketches" - Drawings and written history of Coastal buildings and places by Terry Barker

OVERVIEW

Sing it, baby! Gotta love Coast culture! Though our economy is largely driven by resource-related industries, such as forestry, fishing and mining, the Sunshine Coast is home to a growing arts community. We have theatre groups, dance troupes, a large number of musicians playing a wide variety of music, potters, sculptors, painters and other artisans working within the community.

Well-established on the Sunshine Coast is the Coast Cultural Alliance, an organization dedicated to assisting artists through job search programs, fundraising, and community tourism around the arts. The Cultural Alliance also produces a monthly arts calendar, and much of their event information can be found in the Bigpacific Calendar of Events.

We are also the home of the internationally renowned Festival of the Written Arts and provide inspiration to an impressive number of writers. Included in that number are the myriad journalists and feature writers plying their trade on the Coast in one of three community newspapers, a dozen or more travel publications and a plethora of coffee table books and magazines.

Music is also a strong component of life on the Sunshine Coast, from
formal classical recitals to funky drumming sessions in the Creek (Roberts Creek
to new Coast initiates). We have several musical festivals and series here throughout
the year:

Sunshine Coast Music Festival - Classical
Gibsons Jazz Festival - Dougall Park, Gibsons, June, Annual
Pender Harbour Jazz Festival- Pender Harbour Community Centre, September, Annual

We are a community of contrasts. Heavy industry and one of the most lovely
environments to be found across the globe. Senior citizens and young families.
The metropolis of Vancouver and the small-town atmosphere of the Coast's
municipalities and district. Pioneers and recent arrivals. The Sechelt Indian Band,
the first band in Canada to achieve self-government.
Environmentalists and forestry workers. Wildlife and expanding human settlement.

These contrasts are what drives life on the Sunshine Coast, and in this
site we hope to introduce you to them through the arts, imagery and friendly
discourse, as well as to share the viewpoints of some of our visitors. Enjoy!

Coast Cultural Alliance

Cultural services are an essential component in our community's standard of living and economic well-being. The Coast Cultural Alliance will facilitate and encourage community Arts and Culture involvement and economic development by providing and coordinating cultural opportunities. We seek to encourage and support individuals and organizations to develop their full potential in their chosen endeavors. The Coast Cultural Alliance will represent all segments of our community equally, and without bias.

The Coast Cultural Alliance site offers a Cultural Events Calendar, profiles of Sunshine Coast artists, membership information and more. If you enjoy the arts, this site makes a great regular surfing stop. They also offer a Sunshine Coast Arts Hotline: 885-2ART!

HOW TO CONTACT THE COAST CULTURAL ALLIANCE
LOCATION: Suite 2, Rockwood Center, Sechelt
BY MAIL: P.O. Box 282, Gibsons, B.C. V0N 1V0
PHONE: (604) 885-2ART (885-2278) FAX: (604) 885-6498
EMAIL: artsinfo@suncoastarts.com

Artwork Tours/ Destination Sunshine Coast

We provide personally guided small group tours, allowing our guests to truly explore & experience the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

So close to Vancouver's lively bustle, yet worlds away in atmosphere, the Sunshine Coast is a haven for artists and crafters, many of whom are well known regionally and internationally.

As a DSC guest, you'll meet the artists in their studios, see works in progress, view demonstrations, and have time to ask questions and select pieces for purchase. You'll come away with special memories, and possibly some handcrafted one-of-a-kind keepsakes, too!

Our knowledgeable guides provide small-group and individually personalized service just right for exploring arts and culture on the Sunshine Coast. We know the artisans, and have in-depth understanding of various creative processes. Artworks guides can offer expert advice whether you're viewing or purchasing a hand-pulled serigraph, painting, woodturning, or other local art. Whether you're a frequent gallery visitor or just curious about what's behind the scenes in the world of arts and crafts, your DSC guided tour is sure to be a genuine Sunshine Coast experience.

DSC's founder, Cindy Buis, is an artist and printmaker whose background includes formal training at the Alberta College of Art and a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design. Cindy has lived on the Sunshine Coast for seventeen years and eagerly shares her enthusiasm for local arts and culture. She is an active member of The Arts & Cultural Accord, the Coast Cultural Alliance, Sunshine Coast Artists Co-op and the Chamber of Commerce.

Destination Sunshine Coast Excursions / Artworks Tours
Tel. 604-418-4981 Vancouver
604-886-1200 Sunshine Coast
Box 237, Gibsons, BC Canada V0N 1V0
Email artworkstours@telus.net

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
bigpacific community partners

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People, Arts & Culture

Coast Cultural Alliance

Artwork Tours/ Destination Sunshine Coast

WHERE TO STAY

WHAT TO DO

DINING

ABOUT THE COAST

TRAVEL EXTRAS

CONVENTIONS/ GROUP TRAVEL

CONTACT US

SEARCH/HELP

ADVERTISE ON THIS SITE

People, Arts & Culture

Coast Cultural Alliance

Artwork Tours/ Destination Sunshine Coast

ABOUT THE
COAST

CONVENTIONS/
GROUP TRAVEL