Photo by Lauren Kramer
Volume 12 Issue 1 » 19
that he can often hear the bleating sheep. The fine dining restaurant
is open May through September. In the off-season, you’ll find
Boisvert in Cobble Hill’s village, where he has opened an artisan
cheese and charcuterie shop.
ADORABLE DUNCAN
Duncan’s 88 totem poles are the city’s most distinguishing feature.
Most of them highlight the downtown core, erected since 1983
and carved by many well-known sculptors. Duncan borders the
Cowichan Reserve Lands, and has a strong tie with Cowichan
tribes. That tie is recognized and honoured through the totem poles
celebrating First Nations art and traditions. Our guide through
the totem pole route is Herb Rice, a local Coast Salish carver who
specializes in totem poles, doors and panels, and toils away at Coast
Salish Journey. His workshop is in Whippletree Junction, minutes
from Duncan. Rice created one of the city’s totem poles and he has
restored many others. He points to the work of other totem carvers
like Richard Hunt and Cicero August. “Many master carvers got
their start doing totems for the City of Duncan,” he says quietly.
“It’s definitely benefited the relationship between First Nations and
non-native.”
Café, a restaurant specializing in dishes from Africa to Asia, New
York to Sicily. And check the schedule at the Chemainus Theatre
Festival to find out what’s playing. If you can, treat yourself to a
theatrical production in one of the city’s crown jewels. Chemainus
Theatre features the work of Canada’s most talented individuals and
is yet another exhibition of the Cowichan Valley’s amazing art.
W H E N YO U G O
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B C Fe r r i e s
1 - 8 8 8 - B C F E R RY ( 2 2 3 - 3 7 7 9 ) • b c f e r r i e s . c o m
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Wi l d Po p p y B i s t r o
(250) 924-8696 • facebook.com/wildpoppybistro
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L a d y s m i t h Wa t e r f r o n t G a l l e r y
( 2 5 0 ) 2 4 5 - 1 2 5 2 • l ady s m i t hw ate r fro ntg a l l e r y. c o m
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Ar t h u r Vi c k e r s S h i p y a r d G a l l e r y
( 2 5 0 ) 7 4 8 - 7 6 5 0 • a r thu r v ic ke r s . c o m
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C h e r r y Po i n t E s t a t e Wi n e s
( 2 5 0 ) 7 4 3 - 1 27 2 • che r r y poi nte statew i ne s . c om
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Am u s é B i s t r o o n t h e Vi n e y a r d
( 2 5 0 ) 7 4 3 - 3 6 6 7 • amus e onthev i neyard . c om
MURALS & MORE
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Coast Sa l i sh Jou r ney
( 2 5 0 ) 7 0 1 - 3 0 8 6 • c o a s t s a l i s hj o u r n e y . c o m
Chemainus, population 5,000, showcases 42 murals that grace the
exterior of many of the buildings. Even fast-food chain Subway
has a mural. Created by many different artists over the years, all the
murals but two commemorate the city’s history in various artistic
styles. The murals offer a glimpse of Chemainus’ past, from its First
Nations history through the war years. You can drive around town
slowly to see history through art, or take a guided walking tour or a
horse-drawn trolley tour in the summer. Stop for a meal at Odika
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Duncan BIA
( 2 5 0 ) 7 1 5 - 17 0 0 • d o w nt o w n d u n c a n . c a
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Odika Café
(250) 324-3303 • odikacafe.com
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Chemainus Theatre
1-800-565-7738 • chemainustheatre.ca