La Galeria II

Located just one block off the highway in Fairmont Hot Springs is a delightful gift shop. La Galeria II is a unique shopping experience, fulfilling the most discerning taste with hand-crafted treasures at affordable prices. Local artisan, Carolyn Barzilay, who purchased the shop in 2010, has added an artist’s touch to the already spectacular store. Carolyn has been a working member of the artists’ co-op at Village Arts in Invermere for twenty years and brings with her a wide array of artisans’ works. Highlighted at La Galeria II are Carolyn’s own works, hand-painted glassware and porcelain. By blending spectacular colors she has mastered the creation of elegant, sophisticated stemware, porcelain mugs, glassware, decanters, candleholders and more. The final step in her production process is baking the paint to make it durable and dishwasher safe. Besides her breathtaking glassware, La Galeria II also carries Carolyn’s ‘Mud Prints’, humorous clothing and mugs with hand-painted paw prints proclaiming “Damn Cat, Dog, Cow, etc.” These are very unique items that entertain people of all ages. La Galeria II also showcases the inspired works of more than 40 artists and artisans, many native to the Columbia Valley area. Each piece is unique to its creator. There are light catching, twinkling pieces made from crushed windshield glass, hand-turned wooden pens, raku pottery and gorgeous hand-blown glass balls to highlight your windows. A great selection of framed and unframed prints, paintings and photographs allow you to select a special treasure for yourself or a unique gift for a friend. There is a vast selection of beautiful artists’ greeting cards as well. Choose from delightful hand-knit dolls, handcrafted beeswax candles, toy animals, essential oils and soothing bath salts, metal sculptures, and lamp blown beads. La Galeria II imports hand-painted terra cotta vases from Mexico and hand-knit sweaters from a co-op in Equador. “I really love my business,” says Carolyn. “As an artist, I am very aware of what the artists’ put into their creations. It is my pleasure to promote them, especially to customers who really appreciate their work.” Barzilay takes pleasure in dealing with the customers. “I enjoy taking the time to visit with my customers. For as much as I can offer them an education about my artists, I learn so much from them as well. It makes life very interesting.” La Galeria II is located one block behind the Fairmont strip mall on Hot Springs Road. The shop is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily.