Imagine That! Artisans' Designs, Duncan

In 1994 a group of 12 artists in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island met to discuss the need for a permanent showcase for selling their artwork beyond the usual venues of craft fairs and exhibitions. Though the initial group changed, a core group of 9 opened their first tiny storefront in downtown Duncan in August of that year. They called themselves IMAGINE THAT! ARTISANS' DESIGNS. They are a Registered Co-operative.

August 2024 marked the beginning of the 31st year in business for this successful artist-run store. All work is juried and is of high quality, with price ranges for even the smallest budget. The Members are proud of their long record supporting local Cowichan artists and other artists from Vancouver Island. Mid way between Victoria and Nanaimo, their great location is at the heart of the Cowichan Valley in historic downtown Duncan. IMAGINE THAT! is a pleasant place to turn off the TransCanada and have an artistic "refuelling" stop. Look for the red brick City Hall. We're across the square.

Imagine that! is proudly Canadian, with works made all over Vancouver Island, as well as on some of the adjacent smaller islands. The work of 60-some professional artisans and artists is featured.

Each day, you will meet one of our working artists helping to operate the shop and make it the success it is. Come in and say hello.

Store Hours

Tuesday through Friday, 11 am to 4 pm

Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm

Rachel Cruse: Room to Breathe

June 27 - July 25, 2025

Rachel Cruse is a Vancouver Island artist residing in the Cowichan Valley. She has been painting and creating for as long as she can remember, her interests and influences in art are varied; she adored Van Gogh as a child, Emily Carr as a teenager, and the Pre-Raphaelite beauties of Dante Gabriel Rossetti when she was a young adult. Currently she's focused on portraying gorgeous and wild west coast landscapes.

Painting from her treehouse art studio in Cowichan Station, Rachel likes to call her paintings "artful dispatches for your wild nature soul." Her paintings reflect deep longings for nature and simplicity. They embody light, flow, room to breathe and a profound love for the natural world.

A Bounty of Blossoms

June 27 - July 25, 2025

Terry Harrison hand-paints flowers on goblets, wine glasses, plates, bowls, tiles, and wearable art pieces. The blooms are both domestic and wild, in glorious colour. Roses, irises, daisies, snowdrops...many flowers make an appearance.