Glass Salmon for Kus-kus-sum Displayed at the Old House

The kiln cast, glass coho salmon sculpture created by Christopher Smith is currently being displayed at the Old House Hotel. The sculpture, “Salish Sea Silvers”, retails at $4,750 and Chris will generously donate 100% of the proceeds to the Kus-kus-sum project. In fact, he has already donated $1,600 to Kus-kus-sum for a sculpture bought in August of 2020.

The Kus-kus-sum site, which is located directly across the river from the Old House Hotel, was filled and paved for industrial scale sawmill operations which ceased in the early 2000’s. It has recently been purchased and is being resotred to natural habitat by Project Watershed. As this restoration will greatly benefit salmon and other marine species, Chris is donating all proceeds from “Salish Sea Silvers” to the restoration process.

Chris’s kiln cast glass salmon have won awards and are featured in over 10 galleries, resorts, and museums from Tofino to Whistler.

Making these unique salmon involves many stages, including creating a clay prototype and two kiln firings. The whole process can take two to three weeks to complete (read more about how Chris makes his salmon…). “I make the Glass Salmon, not to reproduce the fish but to create a likeness in glass that is glass with a Salmon appearing. Each Glass Salmon is an individual, one of a kind. I do seriously try to make each fish a recognizable species and sex, with appropriate colouration. I make them as glassy as possible and each individual has a personality and spirit.”

~Christopher Smith

Christopher currently lives in Nanoose Bay. He has been creating fine art glass pieces since 1977. His studio Glaskrafter Art Glass is one of the oldest established art glass studios on Vancouver Island.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in owning a unique and meaningful art sculpture visit the lobby of the Old House Hotel to see “Salish Sea Silvers”. It may be just the piece you are looking for.

Contact Christopher Smith

To find out more or purchase “Salish Sea Silvers”.