Doctor Vigari at new spot on Commercial Drive

This week I talked with Bill Gotts, owner of Doctor Vigari Gallery, and we got onto the topic of how his gallery got its name.

Who is Doctor Vigari?

Doctor Vigari is not an actual person. Bill explained that his first studio was in an old store on Victoria Drive. One night, his friend rearranged the letters on the old grocery store sign outside and spelled Doctor Vigari.

The name of the gallery was born. Since then, it has been in a few locations on Commercial Drive – selling jewelry, painting, furniture, sculpture, and other pieces made by artists from B.C. and Canada.

The name issue came up when my son and I went to visit Doctor Vigari at the new location at 1816 Commercial Drive, between 2nd and 3rd Ave. My son told Bill: “I always think this place is called ‘Doctor Viagra.’” As you can imagine, 10-year-old boys are likely to giggle mightily at the mention of Viagra or any word that sounds at all like it. Bill said many people tell him the same thing.

We were drawn in by the Squiddy tables in the window of the gallery. They are made by Vancouver’s own Straight Line Designs.

We checked out carvings made from salvaged pine beetle wood – bowls and slabs with a subtle blue tone from the beetles.

Toby spent his $40 birthday money from Granny Dawson on a silver pendant and necklace. It’s a silver birds nest with two eggs in it.

We also saw painted matchboxes that make an affordable gift at $14.

Once again the gallery is neighbours with the toy store It’s All Fun & Games. They were neighbours at their old locations at Commercial and Charles. I wrote about Fun & Games on March 5 in my post Following our favourite toy store.

Best wishes to Doctor Vigari for a great summer in the new location. I hope lots of people go there and see all the cool stuff and take some home with them.