OpenRoad Driver Volume 12 Issue 1 | Page 18

16 » OpenRoad Driver O N E TA N K W O N D E R Artistry in Cowichan Words by Lauren Kramer » Spend an inspiring weekend in the Cowichan Valley on southern Vancouver Island. Artistry is just one tank of fuel away from the Lower Mainland. There’s something soothing and replenishing about immersing yourself in the arts and spending a weekend browsing through galleries, meeting artisans of all kinds and experiencing the beauty of their creations in a variety of media – including painting, sculpting, viticulture and cuisine. One of the best places for such immersion is the Cowichan Valley, where small towns like Ladysmith, Cowichan Bay, Cobble Hill, Chemainus and Duncan have become a haven for artistry. To experience that haven and glimpse the island’s talent, pack the car, head for the ferry and allow the pleasant journey to Duke Point to take you to a place where inspiration delivers astounding results.