June saw the launch of the 15th annual Creston Valley and East Shore ArtWalk, which will continue through the Labour Day weekend with venues from Yahk through the Creston Valley, and along Kootenay Lake to Kootenay Bay and Riondel.

The Creston opening of ArtWalk on June 18 at the Coffee Creek Café featured classical guitar by Peter Bodley with new art work by James McDowell and light refreshments provided by Amanda. Art enthusiasts enjoyed the short walk from Coffee Creek to Buffalo Trails Coffee House where Brandy Dyer’s Bite Me show is off to a great start.

Our tour this summer starts in Yahk with the Yahk Soap Company and Two Scoop Steve with work by the Creston Art Club. On July 10, Two Scoop Steve will be celebrating six years in business with live music, burgers, hotdogs and, of course. ice cream and treats. The celebrations run from noon until 6 p.m.

The Alfoldy Gallery again joins us with their lovely water colours and paper batiks. New this year is the Creston U-Brew featuring more work by Creston’s busy art club.

The Creston and District Public Library will again host a summerlong show of work by ArtWalk participants. The library show will run from through Aug. 31.

Just seven kilometres south of town, off Highway 21, you will find James and Nora McDowell’s Hilltop Gallery. Come see what new work James has done and check out the bird houses Nora is again building.

Back in town, Pat Yarema’s bold work can be seen again at the Break in Time Caffé. New this year, Red Bag Imports is showing photography by Allia Schofer.

Beadazzled Beads joins us with their lovely work in semi-precious gems and jewelry. As mentioned earlier, Brandy Dyer’s Bite Me show of bright pastels of fruit is showing at Buffalo Trails.

The Pridham Studio again joins with its colourful pottery and Nancy’s paintings, and across the street you will find Carol Schloss showing her pastels at Kingfisher Used Books. The Painted Turtle Gallery continues to show quality work by local and Kootenay artists and Creston Card and Stationary is showing a 3 Sisters show with work by Paula Ebelher, Gina Ebelher and Lisa Tessman.

James McDowell’s acrylic paintings are showing at Coffee Creek Café and Shelagh Corcoran’s mosaics are being displayed at the Other Side Café.

Black Bear Books is showing new work by Alison Masters, Ute Bachinski and Harry Miller.

Across the street, Cresteramics has work by 12 local artists and the Creston Valley Advance has Lori Wikdahl’s contemporary native paintings on stone. The Traveling Camel Trading Company is showing a number of James McDowell’s larger works.

The Royal Bank has work by Nancy Pridham, and Canada Post is showing bowls turned from the wood of the catalpa tree by Ray Neufeld.

Don’t miss the Krazy Kat Lady Studio and Gallery at 715 Murdoch St., west of Adam Robertson Elementary School. Heading north through Alice Siding, you will find Kootenay Candles with its lovely beeswax candles and with Harry Miller’s wood spirit carvings and watercolours by Riondel’s Sheila Arnott.

Turning left on Highway 3, left at the first exit and then left again onto the Lower Wynndel Road you will find Eileen Hirota’s Hirota Gallery at 710 Indian Rd. and her work in watercolour and mixed media.

Continuing north, in Wynndel you will find the Sweet Pea Gallery of Linda Calahan and Gary Pharness, open by appointment, and on to Lorrie Rhead’s Flickering Goddess Soap and Candles in Boswell, and the many more venues along the lake.

Pick up a brochure at the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce or any of the many ArtWalk venues and take an afternoon or a few afternoons and explore the handiwork of the artists of our own valley.

It is not too late yet to sign up for the many classes being taught by local artists at the College of the Rockies this summer. More information can be obtained by contacting the college at creston@cotr.bc.ca or by contacting the artists.

For information about ArtWalk, email artlink@kootenay.com, or call Nora McDowell at 250-428-9391, Harry Miller at 250-428-2527 or Dena Kubota at 250-227-9441.