ArtBonavista Retreat & ArtBonavista Studio

We stopped into Art Bonavista while looking for gifts to bring home from our trip to NL. The shop location is beautiful, nestled into a hill facing the ocean. The owner is an incredible human being, she is warm, welcoming, full of radiant energy, and had endless stories for us. She carefully and thoughtfully explained many of the items in her store to us, the experience was a real treat and we really appreciated it. What we thought would be a quick stop in a shop, became a very special and treasured experience which will remain a long lasting memory and we hope a lifelong friend. The owner has many of her own art pieces for sale in the shop. They are beautiful, unique, high quality and wonderfully strange. The art by Canadian artists that is on display for purchase is well curated, beautifully displayed and full of talent. We also really appreciated the owners commitment to sustainability (she uses all recycled packaging for her items), diversity and human rights. We purchased a few pieces and a beautiful sweater that the owner highly recommended. We cannot wait to go back to chat with her and buy more of her specially curated items

Full disclosure: I am good friends with Ruth Weller-Malchow, the owner and curator of ArtBonavista Studio. My novel *Instructor* is available in her shop. But intimacy does not preclude objectivity. I can distinguish excellence from mediocrity without any difficulty, and in the case of ArtBonavista Studio it is easy to see that Ruth has a most discerning and excellent eye. From the way she has designed her building to her displays of curated art, every angle, every corner, is wonderful. Her inaugural exhibit of local photographers' work was stellar. I particularly liked Chris Abbott's work, and liked too how Ruth paired its display with the works of Ontario-based jeweller Betty Walton, a pioneer in the use of anodized aluminum. Ruth's own jewellery made from old Newfoundland coins, her historic clapboard and wallpaper pieces, delight. They fire the imagination. The pleasure to the soul that this kind of discernment offers. . .well, I'm not the only one who adores excellence. Read Jasmine Nina's review.Ruth has been a supporter of local art and artists since she first arrived on the Bonavista peninsula. What does the sign in the window of her shop say? Support Local Artists or Lose Local Art.Next up at ArtBonavista Studio is a show by Gary Taylor / Doctor 13, an artist whose work provokes, unsettles and vitalizes. Doctor 13, I am already a customer, exhibit unseen. Show opens tomorrow 14 July 2022. Studio is open Thursday through Sunday 12 to 5PM.**This is from Stan Dragland, my partner: ArtBonavista features art and craft items that are available nowhere else in Bonavista or, for that matter, anywhere else in Newfoundland. That is because the owner is an artist, a curator and a collector with very distinctive taste. Be sure to check out her own one-of-a kind items, as well as those of the fine artists she hosts. But ArtBonavista is also an installation, with all sorts of fascinating not-for-sale things on display. Like all the other spaces, even the washroom has been curated. On request the genial curator will explain the finer points of the displays in this room and, of course, in the gallery space proper. There are other good shops for art in town, but none as distinctive as ArtBonavista. A must-visit.

Great atmosphere! Very friendly Ruth greeted my daughter and I. We came to look at these cool Newfoundland necklaces as a great souvenir from the island! She was so lovely to talk my husband came inside and we chatted for a least a 1/2 hour talking about Newfoundland culture since this was our first time to the island. Come check out her store! You’ll find a treasure for sure! Even the ocean view is absolutely beautiful looking out the window! Can’t wait to come back!! We absolutely love “the Rock”! Thank you!

Tried to go here. They have no hours posted. Place was closed.

I recommend visiting this studio. The space is filled with beautiful, hand crafted and curated local art.