Visit Artful : The Gallery to enjoy Comox Valley artist Barb Hutson’s exhibition of paintings, drawings and sculpture. Her colourful paintings and her quirky sense of humour combine to create a delightful show. Gallery Hours weds-Sat 12-5pm.

Barb Hutson was born in California in 1945 and grew up in North Hollywood, the third of four children. Her father, who had been to art school himself, always encouraged her artistic endeavours. 

Following High School, she attended Chouinard Art Institute (now part of California Institute of the Arts) from 1964 to 1966. Her next art school was Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California, where she studied sculpture in 1969.

After leaving Santa Barbara in 1971, her family immigrated to British Columbia where they made their home. After years of raising a young family and running a local travel agency she decided to go back to art school (“To relearn everything!”she said) and attended classes at North Island College from 1995 to 1998. 

Barb maintained a studio in Tin Town from 2002 to 2017 where she participated in events including The Needle Show, The Shoe Show, Hats and Fascinators, and The Jar Show. She also participated in Tin Town’s Open Houses. She was a member of the Arts Council and served as a director of the Muir Gallery. She showed her work in the member shows at the Muir Gallery. Barb has received many awards for her work.