July 2007

NANOOSE BAY, BC:  Vancouver Island is geared up to welcome established artist Lyndia Terre and her new studio/gallery to the many creative businesses scattered just off the Island Highway.

Nestled along a country road in Nanoose Bay, sits the Lyndia Terre Gallery, central Vancouver Island’s newest studio/art gallery.

The gallery, just 6.4 kilometers from the Petro Canada Gas Station on Northwest Bay Road, is home to Montreal born Lyndia Terre. Lyndia specializes in etchings, drypoints and oils. The subject matters include wetlands, floral, nature, Judaica, nudes and life experiences. Walk in during gallery hours and you may find Lyndia pulling an original print from her etching presses.  Her art can be found in public collections in the United States and in private collections all over the world.

The studio/gallery is the newest one for Lyndia.  Enthusiastic about the high quality of art in the Caledon Hills she opened a gallery in Alton, Ontario.  It became a destination for Toronto tourists and artists.  After spending almost a decade establishing a relationship with the community she found it hard to give up, and headed west to begin a new chapter.

The beauty and tranquility of Vancouver Island has long been a draw for artists and artisans. Travel anywhere along the Island Highway and you will see signs heralding the whereabouts of a vast array of galleries and artist studios.  Lyndia says, “I can’t believe I live where everyone wants to come to vacation.”

It took Lyndia almost a year to find the perfect setting.  Part of her search was in Victoria but found none of the commercial buildings she had viewed had any artistic merit for her.  Defeat seemed imminent until a real estate agent suggested a tiny gallery on Northwest Bay Road that had just come off the market after failing to find the right buyer.  Lyndia was immediately captivated by the intimacy of the old country cottage and the contemporary new addition.

Not only was Lyndia drawn to the magnificence of the Island, but she found herself absorbed by the pace of life.  “I think the difference for me here, what do you call it, when you don’t feel rushed…island living, there is a slowing down, you can work longer and deeper on your ideas.”  Added Lyndia, “my life is now all under one roof, the gallery, the studio and my home.”

Since acquiring the studio/gallery Lyndia has begun transforming the space.  “First of all I added contemporary gallery lighting.  I opened up the deck and enlarged the windows for more light in the building.  I am preserving and increasing the garden space.  I’ve added island Douglas fir flooring from naturally fallen trees.”  Almost all of the living space is double purpose.  Added Lyndia, “I just want everything open and luminous. I want artwork around me.”

While the gallery also showcases Lyndia’s own artwork she is eager to share her space. Lyndia has chosen to represent other artists by hosting rotating exhibitions and workshops.  Says Lyndia, “The kinds of artists I will be working with are those who have found a way of saying something in any medium that can’t be said by any other voice.  Art that will inspire other people as well. The purchase of art has the power to transform your life and to increase your income.”

The first guest artist to be represented in the Lyndia Terre Gallery is Karen Martin-Sampson of Sayward, BC.  Karen and Lyndia have a previous relationship cemented in Ontario.  Ecstatic at the discovery that both Karen and another Alton artist/friend, Marilyn Stubbs Cooney were here on Vancouver Island, Lyndia jumped at the chance to reconnect personally and professionally with both of them.  Marilyn’s work will be featured in the fall.

A first public invitation reception will feature Lyndia Terre, “Illuminations:  Island Landscapes, mixed media, July 12th to August 12th.   Meet the artists on July 22nd between 1pm-3pm.

Vancouver Island has a strong group of artists and artisans living and working in small communities who open their doors to people who are interested in the arts. Lyndia hopes her studio/gallery is a welcome addition and encourages everyone to just come in and just say hi.

Contact:  Lyndia Terre
Lyndia Terre Gallery
1811 Northwest Bay Rd.
Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9C7
(250) 468-9010
Hours: Sun 1-5pm or by appointment

or

Barbara Wood
barbwoodis@shaw.ca

Digital photographs provided courtesy of Lyndia Terre for print publication and not for resale either in part or whole and cannot be reproduced without written consent.