Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
weaving, beadwork, skin work, sewing, and knitting (generally created by the wo-
men).
PaintingandwoodcarvingareprobablythemostrecognizedartformsofthePa-
cific Northwest. Throughout the city—in museums and people's homes, outdoors,
and for sale in shops—you can see brightly colored carved totems, canoes, paddles,
fantastic masks, and ceremonial rattles, feast dishes, bowls, and spoons. Fabulous
designs, many featuring animals or mythical legends, are also painstakingly painted
inbrightprimarycolorsonpaper.Youcanbuylimited-editionhigh-qualityprintsof
these paintings at many Indian craft outlets. They are more reasonable in cost than
carvings, yet just as stunning when effectively framed.
Basketry comes in a variety of styles and materials. Look for decorative cedar-
root (fairly rare) and cedar-bark baskets, still made on the west coast of Vancouver
Island; spruce-root baskets from the Queen Charlotte Islands; and beautiful, func-
tional birch-bark baskets from the northern interior of British Columbia.
Beaded and fringed moccasins, jackets, vests, and gloves are available at most
craft outlets, and all outdoors enthusiasts should consider forking out for a heavy,
water-resistant, raw sheep-wool Cowichan sweater; they're generally white or gray
with a black design, much in demand because they are warm, good in the rain,
rugged, and last longer than one lifetime. The best place to get your hands on one is
the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, although you can also find them in nat-
ive craft outlets in Vancouver. Expect to pay $120-200 for the real thing.
Carvedargillite(blackslate)miniaturetotempoles,brooches,ashtrays,andother
small items, highly decorated with geometric and animal designs, are created ex-
clusively by the Haida on the Queen Charlotte Islands. The argillite comes from an
island quarry that can be used only by the local band, but the carvings are widely
available in Vancouver. Silverwork is also popular, and some of the best is created
by the Haida. Particularly notable is the work of Bill Reid, a Haida artist living in
Vancouver.
Whileyou'reinthearea,stopbyandwatchagameofEuropeanfootballatthewelcom-
ing
Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar
(1321 Commercial Dr., 604/254-2641, from 7am daily)
with older locals, or choose from over 200 flavors at
La Casa Gelato
(1033 Venables St.,
604/251-3211, 10am-6pm daily), but shopping is the main draw.
