An event to raise money for the Nanoose Bay Community Cupboard and highlight the many talented artists in the community takes place Dec. 13 and 14.
The Nanoose Bay Studio Tour Group’s annual Christmas Crawl will include several resident and guest artists selling their pieces and also demonstrating their diverse talents.
The area is home to some incredible artists who create pottery, art glass, wood-turning, hand designed jewelry, handcrafted furniture, metal art, photography and paintings in all media types.
One of the participants, Dave Kasprick of Red Cod Forge, will not only be forging at his open house, he will also be fundraising for the food bank.
For the last four years Kasprick has donated 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of his sea star sculptures to the food bank.
His wife Debra, whose Affinity Stone Jewelry studio is beside the forge, also donates some of the proceeds from her sales to the cause.
Kasprick has created quite a few one-of-a-kind metal pieces for his open house.
His sea stars will sell for $25 and his little metal Christmas trees will be $10 with all of the money going to the Nanoose Community Services Association which operates the local food bank and the annual Christmas Elf project.
Kasprick said the organization which assists low-income residents in Nanoose Bay relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses to fund its programs and he can’t say enough about the woman who leads the volunteer team.
“What Ginnie Brucker does for the community is incredible. She works so hard and I want to do what I can to help the community.”
Anyone who purchases an item from Kasprick during the Christmas Crawl will be entered into a draw for one of his amazing sculptures.
“Someone will win what I make that weekend when I am forging. I am going to do a whimsical forged Reindeer out of recycled steel,” he said.
Kasprick has also invited some of his artisan friends to hang out for the weekend and photographer Roy Hancliff along with JP Holbrook will have their pieces for sale.
The Kaspricks are paying it forward and assisting a cause well beyond the borders of Canada. They are collecting school supplies for La Catalina Foundation which operates a school in the small Mexican fishing village of La Manzanilla in the State of Jalisco.
The pair will be heading to their favourite sun spot in 2015 and they plan to bring some much needed basic school supplies for the areas underprivileged children.
If you are looking for an interesting holiday outing that also gives back to the community, consider a drive around Nanoose Bay Dec. 13 and 14 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Be sure to drop by the Red Cod Forge at 2155 Spur Place and watch a real blacksmith at work creating free-form sculptures.
For a list of the artists participating in the Christmas Crawl and locations visit
www.nanoosebaystudiotour.com.
