Salty the aristocratic dog was over it, but the rest of the crowd was merrily wandering between artist stalls at the Gabriola Street Art Festival. There were jewellers, painters, sculptors, glass-artists, sign-makers, face painters, giant bubble makers and clothiers.

The Street Art Festival runs beside the Gabriola Theatre Festival, which this year includes One Man Pride and Prejudice, Gutenberg! The Musical and a sold out 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

While admiring Moonshine Studio rings, D’dance goblets and Dean Vance ravens, we heard dramatic cries from the Anthony Holland Stage. While poring over the silver and copper wire trees of Rob Robinson – a Governor General’s Medal winner – we glimpsed puppets singing We are Family.

Day 1 of the Street Festival was artists only. Day 2, today, will be more free-wheeling as food vendors, farmers, community organizations and non-profits are invited to join in.

If you aren’t anywhere near the island, you can visit the websites of most of the participating artists through the Gabriola Arts Council.

Gabriola Artists’ Directory

Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com