About the Art Shed

The Sointula Art Shed (est. 2013) located in the unceded Kwakwaka'wakw Territory of the Kwakiutl, Mamalilikala, and 'Namgis First Nations on Malcolm Island, consists of a small artist-run artist residency in a cottage, with a studio and window gallery in our shed. We sometimes host a small web-based music performance series called Songs in the Shed, where local and touring musicians are invited to perform a song in, or near, our shed. We also host art workshops, and have hosted some gardening workshops in our yard. We are very happy to share produce from our ever expanding garden, and eggs from our small flock of chickens (currently all named Darlene) with the artists who stay with us.

Sointula is a small coastal fishing village and is accessed via the BC Ferry route leaving from Port McNeill, on the northeastern end of Vancouver Island. The village was founded by Finnish utopian socialist settlers, led by Matti Kurikka, in 1901 - the name Sointula means Place of Harmony in Finnish. Wildlife is abundant in and around Malcolm Island, with orcas, seals, and porpoises that can be viewed from the beaches, as well as mink, otter, beaver, deer, and a wide variety of birds making their homes on the island.

There are many hiking trails, a free-bike service, a museum, library, co-op (grocery, gas, and hardware) store, hotel, recycling centre, thrift shop, a community garden, burger barn (seasonal), & cafe as well as many other activities and attractions in and around Sointula.

There is also easy access via ferry to the communities of Port McNeill and Alert Bay.

Sointula Art cottage, Kim Kennedy Austin, 2014