Side Street Studio is Celebrating 40 Years of representing Local Artists!

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Jill Fitz Hirschbold | 0 comments

In 1984 Lilly Bohlin, Shirley Ann Bertz, Francisca Hayman, Rita Darling, Nanci Secter, Naomi Smith and Marjolyn Winkel rented the annex of an upholstery store on Fell Street to showcase and sell their work. The entrance to the store was on the side of the building, hence the name Side Street Studio. Over the years they welcomed other artists to the collaboratively run space and built up a very loyal clientele for their locally handmade work. In the 90’s they moved to our current location on Oak Bay Ave and sold the business in 2000. I took over as the 4^th owner in 2017.

Over 650 local BC artists have been represented over the last 40 years and we currently have over 140 artists and their amazing West Coast Inspired work both in-store and on our website. We offer a wonderful selection of 100% local, handmade: Jewelry, Functional and Decorative Pottery, Wood Turnings and Art, Glass Art, Functional Glass, Small Works, Textiles, Sculptures, Gift Cards, Photography, Metalwork, Natural Soaps, Candles and much more.

We have continued with the vision of the original Artists who founded Side Street and have created a space to showcase the unique work by artists inspired by the natural beauty of this coast. We endeavor to build connections between the work, the artist and the customer and have curated the Studio with the hope when you step inside you can see from where they draw their inspiration….the majestic mountains, the ancient forests, and the beauty of the sea.

Every purchase made at Side Street Studio not only supports a small, independent, woman run business but a whole community of local BC Artists and Makers!

Looking forward to seeing you this summer!

Jill Fitz Hirschbold

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About Side Street Studio

The story of Side Street Studio is more than the history
of a business. It is the physical expression of a belief
that real art should be accessible to everyone. It is
also the evolution of a business model supported by
principles of community-building economics.

Here’s how it happened.. read more