The business of art and the art of business all co-mingle and work together, on the Quesnel Art Trail.
Over a period of months, local businesses are carefully paired with local artists. In the leadup to each year’s art trail, it is always a challenge and a mission to get as many of these relationships established as possible. This year, more than 50 locations will be displaying some of the best and most exciting visual creators the region has to offer. The fun for the public is to spot the art when they come in for their goods and services, or take the list and go for a tour of the town to look at what each one has done to showcase the city’s artists.
“The 2023 Quesnel Art Trail is an event that people travel to from out of town, actually setting aside some of their leisure time to come here and see all the amazing artwork,” said Keith Prestone, coordinator of the Quesnel Art Trail. “We have almost doubled the amount of artists participating this year. It is, as most big undertakings are, hugely built on the foundation of many years and many peoples’ efforts. And this year is no different as it takes a team to pull something like this off.”
The secret, said Prestone, is to concentrate on the artist first, and reach out to a business that feels like a fit, whether because of complementary inventory or a personal connection or some underlying reason that location will be beneficial for the artist’s work.
“Most of the businesses that have participated in the past years were only too excited to be part of it again this year, because they had such positive experiences in the past,” Prestone said. “Significantly it is of course something different - a fun, interesting and exciting thing to do, for everyone involved.”
The 2023 Quesnel Art Trail has the following artists showcased in the following businesses:
1 Edgewood Farms: Keith Prestone • Maureen Wheeler
2 The Cutting Edge: Casey Fisher
3 CJ Directory: Donnie Johnston
4 Fix Auto: Lee-Anne Chisholm
5 Hub International Insurance: Mariska Dumas Ne Ville
6 Andres Electronic Experts: Ann Finch Treffrey
7 Wings Tap & Grill: Sharilee Golob
8 The Corriente: Cecile Allen
9 Motherlode Wash: Greta Lind Wright
10 Quesnel Door Shop: Lauren Cover
11 College of New Caledonia: Keith Prestone • Marcela Bodorikova • Aatu Karjala-Fox
12 Quesnel Art Gallery: Carpe Diem (various local artists)
13 Quesnel Visitor Centre: Bryden Rankin • Laurie Bare • Michelle Taylor
14 Craig’s Table: Louise McKillican • Cheryl Norquay
15 Barkerville Brewery: Petra Simmons
16 Fraser River Chevrolet Buick GMC: Denise Wellband
17 Cariboo Ford: Marlene Pegg
18 Cariboo Keepsakes: Norman Fletcher
19 AC&D Insurance: Sybille Muschik
20 Himalayan Kitchen: Lesley Ann Kuhn
21 Andres Electronic Experts: Fred Paulson
22 Integris Credit Union: Tanya North Shymko
23 Connects Wireless: Natasha Lepine
24 PMT Chartered Prof. Accountants: Karen Powell • Sarah Fitchett
25 Quesnel Chiropractic: Horace Warden
26 Scotia Bank: Quesnel Quilters Guild
27 Willis Harper Home Hardware: Quesnel Woodturners Guild
28 K-Max Games & Videos: Marguerite Hall • Sandy Fontaine
29 Paradise Spa: Shae Lightening
30 Circle S Western Wear: Marlene Pegg
31 My Own Collection: Patti Faber
32 Rocky Peak Adventure Gear: James Savage
33 Spa Rivier: Cyndi Cassidy
34 Green Tree Health & Wellness: Sierra Bird
35 The Space Above Art Studio: Katja Kovanen • Lana Pederson • Claire Deane
36 Outlaw An Urban Clothing Co.: Christine Yaffe
37 City Furniture & Appliances: Greta Lind Wright
38 Walk-Rite Shoe Store: Marie Nestel
39 Century 21 Energy Realty: Terry Bordeleau
40 Big Country Printers: Meghan Robinson • Robert Premishcook
41 Cariboo Regional District Library: Norman Beckman
42 Mama C’s Gifts & Giggles: Miranda Marcotte
43 Reason 2 Run: Heather Armstrong
44 Dragonfly Naturals Health Food: Tahirih Goffic
45 Hab 97 Fried Chicken & Mexican: Geri Eddy • Deryck Monsour
46 Super Save Gas Station: Christine Piltz
47 Crystal Glass Canada: Pat Hildebrandt
48 Four Rivers Co-op: Norman Beckman
49 Lensmasters Optical (Mall): Francois Lapree
50 West Park Mall: Virginia Winter • Laura Balkwill • Sarah Sargent
CNC and Cariboo Keepsakes have even more of the area’s best visual artists on display.
READ MORE: A trail of artnerships with Quesnel businesses
READ MORE: BC Culture Days will be launched in Quesnel
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