After 40 years of whimsy, the Wacky Woods are now closed.

The popular forest-based art gallery was located on private property in Fanny Bay. It was created in the 1970s and maintained by artist George Sawchuk, who lived next to the woods with his family.

Sawchuk, who was born in Ontario but lived most of his life in B.C., passed away in 2012 at the age of 85. According to his widow, Pat Helps, dozens of his artworks were displayed in the Wacky Woods, alongside inscriptions.

B次元官网网址淗e didnB次元官网网址檛 do it for the public, he did it for himself,B次元官网网址� said Helps. B次元官网网址淏ut someone noticed it and told someone else and the next thing you know, bus tours were coming in and everything.B次元官网网址�

A trademark of SawchukB次元官网网址檚 was to incorporate the natural environment into his works. One of his practices was to carve nooks in trees, where he would place wooden books filled with quotations.

As the allure of the Wacky Woods spread, the forest gallery became a popular site for visitors and locals alike. Thousands of people from around the world have visited the Fanny Bay site over the last four decades to witness SawchukB次元官网网址檚 unique art.

B次元官网网址淚t was just different than their own backyard, I guess,B次元官网网址� said Helps.

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B次元官网网址 courtesy YouTube

SawchukB次元官网网址檚 works have appeared in galleries throughout Canada and the United States. In 2008, he received the honorary title of Valley Treasure from the Comox Valley Community Arts Council (CVCAC).

B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 get more Canadian than George,B次元官网网址� noted CVCAC director Robert Moon when he presented Sawchuk with the inaugural Valley Treasure Award. B次元官网网址淗e spent the first half of his life cutting down trees and the second half paying homage to them with his provocative sculptures.

B次元官网网址淗e is a true Valley icon.B次元官网网址�

Sawchuk was also elected to the Royal Academy of Arts and had sculptures in the Art Bank of the Canada Council. The Comox Valley Art Gallery created an exhibition in his name following his passing.

Helps said the decision to close the Wacky Woods stemmed from the high cost of maintaining it and the fact the forested area has become overgrown in recent years.

B次元官网网址淚 still get a lot of people coming, but itB次元官网网址檚 so overgrown and a lot of pieces are rotted and falling. ItB次元官网网址檚 getting dangerous,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚 just want to let people know so they donB次元官网网址檛 drive all the way down here.B次元官网网址�

She said she has sold the property B次元官网网址渢o a wonderful familyB次元官网网址� that has plans to build a home on the land.

B次元官网网址擶ith files from Paula Wild