Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery
4.5
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Culture Shock Interactive Gallery is a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated Gallery in Alert Bay on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. We offer interactive First Nations cultural experiences including cedar weaving, traditional salmon barbeque, storytelling and traditional ocean-going canoe tours. We also retail local First Nations art including jewellery, carvings, clothing and documentary films.
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6 within 5 kms
Attractions
14 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
55 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
16
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
EASYEZ
82 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
My daughter, who was a barista herself for several years, ordered a mocha coffee when we stopped in. A lovely girl named Gwanti made the coffee and my daughter who is a coffee snob said it was the best mocha she ever had. It was a lovely seaside setting to have a great cup of coffee and would definitely recommend this place.
Written July 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarlaW555
Victoria, Canada16 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Every time I go to Alert Bay, one of my very first stops is Culture Shock. Not only is there amazingly beautiful art and jewellery for sale, but the family that runs the shop is extremely knowledgeable about the area and the local culture. The documentary films made by one of the owners have won numerous awards and are well worth seeing. Delicious coffee is available as well.
Written August 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilakas'la, so glad that you enjoy Culture Shock, look forward to many more visits from you, your family and friends.
Written August 16, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paulshappy
Courtenay, Canada4,147 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Culture Shock Gallery is a lovely gift shop just off the Ferry and before the U'mista Cultural Centre.
Truly worth the visit for a locally made souvenir...
BUT, we were lucky to meet one of the owners, Barb Cranmer, who is a famous First Nation writer and filmmaker. She was delightful to talk with as she took the time to explain many of the beautiful items in her store and tell of their wonderful stories.
I purchased an exquisite Canadian-made ladies wallet designed by Comox Artist Andy Everson. The Hummingbird and flower in creamy pinks and juicy greens will be a cherished gift for my sister Kathy. (Don't tell her yet because her birthday's in October, LOL)
A highly recommended stop on your journey.
Cheers, Paul
Truly worth the visit for a locally made souvenir...
BUT, we were lucky to meet one of the owners, Barb Cranmer, who is a famous First Nation writer and filmmaker. She was delightful to talk with as she took the time to explain many of the beautiful items in her store and tell of their wonderful stories.
I purchased an exquisite Canadian-made ladies wallet designed by Comox Artist Andy Everson. The Hummingbird and flower in creamy pinks and juicy greens will be a cherished gift for my sister Kathy. (Don't tell her yet because her birthday's in October, LOL)
A highly recommended stop on your journey.
Cheers, Paul
Written April 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
epuppet
Alert Bay, Canada6 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Friendly knowledgable staff make people really feel welcome to this beautiful town..... a lot of hand made treasures and great coffee too! Sitting on the deck with a smoothie overlooking the boats in the harbour in the summer is a must... :)
Written February 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rutger R
Amsterdam, The Netherlands14 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
When having an excellent latte in the Culture Shock Gallery in Alert Bay, we were invited to a traditional salmon barbecue.The barbecue is one of the activities people can do with "Culture Shock" to get to know Namgis Culture. Other activities are cedar weaving, storytelling and cultural tours.
K'odi Nelson, a Namgist Firs Nation man who is deeply embedded in traditional culture showed us the way to prepare wild sockey salmon. After he showed us, we had to do it ourselves. It was fun to do. The atmospher was nice and relaxed with joking going on between participants and teacher. While preparing the salmon we learned al lot about First Nation culture and issues. It was very interesting to talk to people like K'odi en Barb Cranmer, a Namgis filmmaker who lives in Alert Bay and works for culture shock.
Meeting these people and taking part in the barbecue was an enrichment to our holiday on Vancouver Island. And the salmon was the best I ever ate!
K'odi Nelson, a Namgist Firs Nation man who is deeply embedded in traditional culture showed us the way to prepare wild sockey salmon. After he showed us, we had to do it ourselves. It was fun to do. The atmospher was nice and relaxed with joking going on between participants and teacher. While preparing the salmon we learned al lot about First Nation culture and issues. It was very interesting to talk to people like K'odi en Barb Cranmer, a Namgis filmmaker who lives in Alert Bay and works for culture shock.
Meeting these people and taking part in the barbecue was an enrichment to our holiday on Vancouver Island. And the salmon was the best I ever ate!
Written July 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penny R
Chemainus, Canada9 contributions
Aug 2020
This is a great little gift shop with a coffee bar attached. The staff is wonderful and there is a good selection of indigenous items to purchase.
Written August 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YukonStef
Nanaimo, Canada60 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Culture Shock has beautiful artifacts for sale and is also the base for Circle Island Tour, a guided one hour tour of Alert Bay from July 1 to August 31 (we got the last tour of the 2016 season). Alert Bay is not large but it is the home of the Namgis and at one point housed a large residential school (now torn down). The guide made the village and its setting very understandable.
Written December 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott M
Parksville, Canada62 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Culture Shock was well worth the visit. There was many different art pieces for sale and the young man who was employed their was very knowledgeable about the artist as well as who most of the pieces were created. We left with a better understanding and appreciation of the artists and their artwork.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Standaniels
190 contributions
Sept 2016 • Business
One of my must stops in alert bay ! I always love stopping here ! Love all their cultural stuff they have ! All their beautiful crafts and etc ! I stop here every visit !
Written September 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah A
61 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Barb of Culture Shock greeted us fresh off the Ferry and we instantly felt welcomed upon our arrival to Alert Bay. She quickly made arrangements for us to take in the Bus Tour and cultural dancing in the Big House the following day. Our tour was led by Noreen and Frank who were engaging and informative and genuinely friendly. We felt honoured to receive the privilege of sharing the local first nations culture in the traditional Big House. I would recommend every visitor make their first stop at Culture Shock.
Written August 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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