Looking to buy local and support lower-mainland based artists and artisans? Visit our Gift Box display located at CityScape Community Art Space. The Gift Box is comprised of two display cases dedicated to local artisans who specialize in high quality, hand-crafted, and unique gift items. All featured work is made by locally based members of the North Vancouver Community Arts Council.
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, and Sat,12-5pm.
If you are interested in exhibiting works for sale in the Gift Box, see our Artist Calls.
Current Artists
MICHELE MATHESON - Chainmaille
Michele Matheson is a local North Vancouver artist who has a passion for Chainmaille. Michele has been making beaded jewellery for many years but became inspired by Chainmaille through her trips to Greece. These visits took her to the many archeological sites, museums and merchants. Upon her return home Michele painstakingly began to recreate beautiful Byzantine period pieces.
Chainmaille is resilient, timeless and easy to wear. Michele enjoys recreating history by making these modern day jewelry pieces. Chainmaille is strong and withstands daily wear exceptionally well. Certain pieces may contain pearls, Roman Glass, or gemstones. These may need extra care while wearing or cleaning.
Materials used in Michele’s pieces include Japanese stainless steel, which is tarnish resistant, easy to clean and wear as well a non-reactive. This metal may be worn by anyone without a reaction. Other metals include pure copper, sterling silver, brass, bronze and gold. These items are assembled over a period of hours then hand polished to remove any burrs and create a beautiful finish.
Enjoy wearing an ancient piece of history everyday and share in Michele’s passion for this art
For more information: sacredartofadornment.com
ELISE QUARMBY - Wearable Art
Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Elise Quarmby began drawing at a very young age and became an active member of the Campbell River Community Arts Council when she was nine. Elise developed her artistic skills by sketching west coast landscapes during hiking trips to remote corners of Vancouver Island. These trips would prove to be a great source of inspiration for her nature-based landscape paintings. After studying a broad range of art movements at the University of Victoria and the University of Wales in Swansea, UK, Elise was able to form a unique artistic style that continues to evolve.
As an accomplished emerging artist in Vancouver since 2008, Elise has participated in several juried exhibitions and commissioned public art projects. Working primarily in oil on canvas, she has established a style that marries timeless, fluid design with progressive ideas. Elise continues to explore different materials in painting and jewelry design with an enduring commitment to create meaningful art inspired by nature.
'Wearable Art' is the concept behind this unique collection of painted canvas necklaces. Each piece is an original acrylic on canvas painting, strung on an antique bronze chain and varnished for protection and longevity. I believe art should be accessible to everyone, and explored in an environment outside the gallery walls. My inspiration for each painting draws from the beautiful West Coast landscape and the music, fashion and culture of BC. The same level of care and detail is put into each necklace as if it were a full-size painting. I consider each necklace to be a true tiny work of art.
The Canvas Collection brings art to everyone, everywhere. Wear your art to the cafe, out on the town, or drinks at a friend's...wherever your 'art' desires.
For more information: elisequarmby.weebly.com
ANN MALIATSKI - Golem Designs
Seven years ago, I graduated with a Bachelor degree in Interior Architecture. Since then I’ve been involved in numerous art, design and architectural projects. I worked as an independent and studio designer and took an active part in various group and solo projects in Israel. My passion for product design led me to pursue a Masters in Industrial Design and Management from Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem. My paintings, object design, and digital art were featured in a number of group and solo exhibitions in Israel and Canada.
Upon arrival to Canada 4 years ago, I dedicated myself to working with clay. I joined the Burnaby Potters Guild in 2010 and became an active participant in all the Guild’s activities. You can find my work at the Gallery of BC Ceramics, The Window Art Gallery, and at The Arts off Main in Vancouver, BC.
In 2013, I opened my ceramics studio, Golem Designs, in Vancouver and started working on a new collection for Spring 2013, exploring different firing techniques and developing shapes and colors to match my creative vision.
My ceramic work reflects a dialogue between urban and natural. Whenever I’m making soft, organic forms or geometrical pieces, my starting point is always functional. I enjoy working with multiples, mimicking cell structures and colonies by creating sculptural objects from wheel thrown particles of clay. I consider my work to be simple, but visually challenging. I usually combine throwing, hand building and mold making to create a piece.
I’m always reserved in my glazing, usually using one simple glaze to emphasize the shape. I’m ambitious about my work and proud to see it evolving and making progress with time."
For more information: golemdesigns.com
JANELL HILTON - Photography Plaques
Inspired by the beautiful, natural surroundings of British Columbia, I began taking photography seriously in 2011, after placing 3rd in the People’s Choice Awards of the Lighthouse Park Preservation Society photography competition. Encouraged by this recognition, competing with professional photographers in the North Vancouver Photographic Society, I became a member to increase by knowledge and experience. Since 2011, I have exhibited my prints at the North Shore and Vancouver Unitarian Churches, Lynn Valley Community Church, Harmony Arts Festival, and more recently North Vancouver Community Arts Council’s inaugural Pop Up Gallery in Capilano Mall.
With a background in graphic design/photography, I visualize images by composition, colour and light. I enjoy emphasizing textures of natural subjects such as the vivid, delicate peeling bark of an Arbutus tree, the velvety carpet of moss covering tree roots and the rough, surfaces of rocks and stones, to bring Nature into a room. I am now experimenting with more abstract images using post-processing techniques. Photography is a creative passion that I plan to pursue to expand my experience and competence.
For more information: natureimagesbyjanell.com
MEGAN BENNETT - Stone Tiles
I have a deep love for all things vintage, and as an artist I strive to find unique and interesting ways to use images that inspire me. I work in several different media - paper and fabric mixed media wall art, magnets and stone tile coasters. More examples of my work can be found online at FiveCornersCreative.com
For these resin sealed coasters, stone tiles serve as the perfect background for the beautiful images. The variations in texture and shape bring to mind an item that has been worn and has served many uses over time. Each one is a unique room accent, whether it sits on a shelf filled with books or under a glass of wine on a coffee table.
For more information: fivecornerscreative.com
DES WILSON - Wood Turning
Originally from Ireland, Des Wilson has lived in BC for over 30 years. As a Geologist, he has a longstanding interest in natural materials, which carries through to the ways in which he uses local woods and other found materials for woodturning. “ From my garden in Belcarra, I like to turn wood, that otherwise might end up as firewood, where I can let the texture, grain, figure and colour determine the appearance of the final form. Unlike the furniture and wooden boats that I have built, turning is an art form which is controlled much more by the character of the medium than by the artisan’s original plan. There is an amazing variety of high quality wood in British Columbia that can readily be turned green from the tree. Thank you for your interest in my work.
Des has exhibited at a number of places including the Lone Cypress Gallery, the Wild Bird Shop, the Port Moody Arts Centre, the Maple Ridge Arts Centre, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Art Galleries and various community craft fairs.
For more information: deswilson.ca
LINA CUTNAM - Copper Jewellery & Leather
Born in Granby, Quebec, Lina's passion for creativity roots back from early childhood, when she was introduced to fashion modeling at the age of five. Before long, she was modifying her own and her friends clothes, personalizing her vision for fashion and helping to bring out individual expression in others.
Later, her drive to suceed enabled her to satisfy the demanding requests of professionals requiring custom designed fashions. Soon after, her collections were sought by exclusive fashion boutiques in Quebec, acquiring a unique reputation that emerged from her very special trademark: reversibility. Everything is reversible! Two coats with accessories for two different occasions!
Residing in Vancouver since 1987, the canadian West Coast life style and environment has inspired Lina's designs. Her outstanding collection of one of a kind designs, all created with natural fabrics, reflect her passion for life and her love for finely woven fabrics and textures.
For more information: linacutnam.com
NANCY ENG - Accent Dezigns
My love of glass housewares took me to a fused glass class several years ago. I learned many different techniques from a great teacher in the glass community. I started making small pendants with reclaimed glass pieces, and then moved on to coasters. I have since experimented more with recycled glass, creating cheese trays, my most popular gift item. I use the local glass studios; the owners have a wealth of knowledge that I crave, to develop my craft.
For more information: etsy.com/shop/GlassAccents