Imagine That! is an artisan-run co-operative store in Duncan in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, B.C.
Midway between Victoria and Nanaimo, the Cowichan Valley is renowned for its high concentration of artists per capita. Our store shows the finest local art and craft pieces, featuring artists' paintings, photography, works in clay, glass, wood, metal and fibre. We offer an ever changing selection from some of the best artists in the Cowichan Valley and on Vancouver Island.
We celebrate imagination and fine craftsmanship.
Imagine That! invites visitors to British Columbia to come to beautiful Vancouver Island. Spend some time here, to enjoy the area and to take home artwork and gifts by our Island artists and artisans. Situated in busy downtown Duncan City Square, our storefront entices passers-by with delightful window displays.
For the more than 60 artists whose work is featured in the shop, the importance of hand-made is clear, and there is a personal story behind each piece they create. Artists come from as close as a few blocks away, from throughout the greater Cowichan Valley, as well as from some of our adjacent smaller islands. Each artist has transformed their passion for creativity into beautiful and functional pieces.
Artists at Imagine That! are always bringing new work that pushes at the creative edge, keeping things lively and fresh. Jewellery made from unexpected materials, wind chimes from salvaged pieces of silver service, bird houses that incorporate found objects, pottery that finds new expression in form and function. Such pieces allow for a bit of fun and quirkiness, also a trademark of hand-made.
Shopping at Vancouver Island's premier artisans co-operative is like visiting seventy top notch art galleries all at once. Exquisitely hand crafted works of art hang from the rafters, cover the walls, line the shelves and grace the large store windows at Imagine That!
Announcements
Regular Store Hours
Tuesday To Friday: 11 - 4pm
Saturday: 10 - 3pm
Closed Sunday and Monday.
Special Evening Openings: Imagine That will be open during the Night Farmers' Market on the third Thursday of each month from June to November. Come and join the exceitement at City Square on September 19, October 17 and November 21.
What's New at Imagine that!
Featured Artist from August 23 to September 27, 2024
Imagine that Artisans
A Cozy Autumn Feeling
The days are getting shorter. The nights are cooling down. The leaves are beginning to turn and drift to the ground. Fall is here, and it’s time to settle in with some cozy ideas from Imagine That! You’ll find a great collection from a variety of our artists: wood bowls, boxes and boards; beeswax candles, pottery, tea cozies, rag rugs, and more.
All will bring you some autumn cozy comfort.
Featured Artist from August 23 to September 27, 2024
Woven Shawl by Dave Woodall
Dave Woodall: Playing With Wool
I like playing with wool. I like the way it feels, the way it smells. I like the way it speaks to me, of how sometimes I seem to have so little control over what it becomes. I am constantly amazed at how a two-dimensional process can develop texture and depth. I love the excitement of getting a fleece and unrolling it, touching the fibres - planning out what I will do with it - as the wool tells me what it wants to be.
I make stuff that you can walk on, that you can wear, that you can wash, and that you can use every day. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated. This is my work. Enjoy.
Featured Artists from September 27 to October 25, 2024
Painting by Bev Robertson
Bev Robertson: Share The Magic
Bev is an oil and acrylic artist, painting professionally since 2012. For her, painting is a way to capture the beauty of nature. While she paints many subjects, she has found that painting flowers is her true love.
She finds inspiration in colours and textures, such as the ruffles of a peony, the veining in a rose petal, or how the petals of a dahlia cup each other and increase in size as they spiral out from the center. For her, there is magic in capturing the light that glows on a flower or shines on the glass jar that holds them.
Featured Artist from August 23 to September 27, 2024
Painting by Laurel Hibbert
Laurel Hibbert: Stories of Joy
Laurel’s work is remarkable for its vibrant colour and for its story telling quality. It is illustrative, whimsical, and captures moments in time.
Looking at her work invites the viewer to ask what has just happened, or what is about to happen. Most of her work has a joyful quality. She paints from her imagination and from deep memory.
Untitled Document
New Artwork at Imagine That!
Dave Woodall
Weaving by Dave Woodall
Dave hand-spins the wool, then creates a variety of beauties including handbags, clutches, shawls, and rugs.
Gail Hook
Fused Glass by Gail Hook
These fused glass plant stakes by Gail Hook will add some colour and whimsy to your potted greenery.
Joyce Leroux, Stained Glass
Joyce Leroux, Stained Glassr
A beautiful new stained glass piece has just arrived from Joyce Leroux. The colours and shapes echo the sprouting leaves that will soon grace our Island.
Joyce welcomes custom orders.
An Artists' Co-operative featuring a wide selection of original finely crafted local artwork
