WELCOME TO THE INN
Willow Grove B&B Inn is situated within the beautiful, historical gold rush town of Horsefly, British Columbia. Christina Mary, owner and operator of the Inn, is a long time local Horsefly resident and artist. The Inn is your ideal destination holiday accommodation, featuring art retreats and workshops, as well as providing ideal lodging for professionals, seasonal workers, and seasonal tourism. In addition to comfortable and scenic accommodation, the Inn offers workshops in drawing, painting, basketry, and mixed media sculpture. Located just minutes from the village of Horsefly, the beauty of the Inn alone will inspire your creative vision with stunning views of the Cariboo Mountains while situated close to all services and amenities including a restaurant, general store, pub, laundromat, gas station, school, and river walking trail. Paint a picture, weave a basket, learn a new creative skill, swim in the river, or simply sit in the cool shade of a hot Cariboo summer’s day. Smell the thick sent of wild roses and cottonwood trees wafting in on a warm summer breeze while watching birds swirling in the blue sky as you take in the beauty of the country.
Dianne Schmidt
Christina has the artistic knack of creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Her artistry weaves a story here at her WillowGrove B&B Inn
Uli Augustin
Christina Mary has a wide array of experience in different niches of art. She practices sculptural art as good as painting and decorative handcrafts and is capable to vocalize this excellently in public teaching.
Marc Sawan
New business, ready to sooth relax and get you in touch with your own creativity
Activities
Trails & Scenery
Get ready for a fun and authentic wilderness adventure, enjoyable for all ages. Horsefly and the surrounding area offers some beautiful scenic views, including 5 impressive waterfalls, 3 on Horsefly River and 2 on Moffat Creek. An excellent adventure to visit all 5 locations. Pack a lunch, enjoy the scenery and some good hiking along the way.
Weddings
Couples arrive from all parts of BC and Canada to share their special day with family and friends, surrounded by the beauty of the outdoors and the unforgettable sights, memories and experiences at Sunshine Ranch Weddings. During these months of summer we also book our facilities for reunions and other events. Please visit the official website below.
Fishing
Horsefly lake offers some of the best fishing in the Cariboo. You can fish for large rainbow, lake trout that and even kokanee. The smaller lakes in the area provide excellent fly fishing opportunities and if you prefer river fishing, the Horsefly River has the second largest sockeye salmon run in British Columbia, and fantastic rainbow fishing.
Annual Events
The town of horsefly hosts a variety of annual public events, including a two day salmon festival, held on the banks of horsefly river, an annual harvest fall fair and exhibition or simply come visit one of our community summer markets, featuring local talent, artisans, farmers and craft vendors.
Relaxation
Local, certified masseuses and yoga teachers offer wellness for women, come join in and treat yourself to a blissful, deep and relaxing massage, personalized therapeutic and 1 on 1 flow yoga, movement for spine & pelvis, reiki and many more right here at the Willow grove B&B Inn, and Studio 46 located in the heart of horsefly, please contact us for more details and booking.
Music Festival
Arts on the Fly is Horsefly, BC's music, dance and arts festival!
Located in beautiful Cariboo country, you'll find our small community putting on one of the best summer festivals in BC. We bring together performers from around the world and locally – from funk to folk, Irish to rock'n roll – and celebrate a weekend of music, arts and dancing.
Workshops
At the Willow Grove B&B Inn and Traditional Arts School, we offer a variety of courses to suit your timeline and budget. Our in-house course series includes lessons for drawing, painting, basketry, willow sculptures and specialized instruction in the creative process or partake in our all-inclusive packages including custom workshops, retreats, and annual events.
The Museum
The first gold in the Cariboo Gold Rush was discovered in the Horsefly River in 1859. Following that discovery, miners ventured further north to Likely, Quesnel Forks and Barkerville. Today you can learn more about our towns history by visiting the Jack Lynn Memorial Museum, featuring unique artifacts, old equipment and stories from a different era.
The Arts School
At the Willow Grove B&B Inn and Traditional Arts School, we bring people to the community to learn new creative skills while appreciating the stunning beauty and relaxed pace of our little town of Horsefly. The Inn offers instruction in various creative skills and courses to suit your timeline and budget. Our in-house course series covers: Drawing, Painting, Basketry, Willow Sculptures and specialized instruction in the Creative Process. Partake in one of our all-inclusive packages including custom workshops, retreats, and annual events. Visiting guest instructors will also attend periodically, presenting specialized workshops and classes throughout the calendar year in pottery, leatherwork, stained glass, up cycling and upholstery. Are you interested in hosting a creative workshop at the Willow Grove Inn? We are always open in collaborating with you to showcase your creative skills to the community. For our detailed schedule on upcoming courses and workshops, please follow the links below or feel free to inquire for more information.
Liz Hardwick
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Meet The Artist
Christina Mary
Christina Mary is an Artist, basket weaver, instructor, and entrepreneur. A passionate, creative woman with a strong work ethic, Christina is friendly, helpful and kind--with a warm smile and open ear for all she meets. Having lived in Horsefly for over 25 years, Christina Mary is a well-known and respected artist, and participant in volunteer community activities including being a founding member of the Arts on the Fly music festival. Christina began her artistic path in her 20s and developed a strong following of her body of work in clay sculpture, creating original pieces for sale in high-end craft fairs, galleries, and exhibitions such as the Uniquely BC Wholesale Gift Show at BC Place in Vancouver, BC. Christina’s strong entrepreneurial spirit led her to develop a line of wholesale clay and stone jewellery, selling in shops across Canada. In her 30s she shifted gears to start a family, devoting time and creativity towards her home and family. Later Christina channelled her artistry through art classes at Horsefly School by teaching art classes to students, ranging in instruction with clay, mask making, painting, drawing, 3-D, creative process, color theory, journal making, and mural projects with primary and senior classes. Over the last 5 years, Christina has dedicated extensive time to her basketry work and teaching classes and workshops in basketry weaving skills locally and regionally in areas including Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, Terrace, Smithers, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Williams Lake, and in Horsefly. In 2018, after being awarded a grant from the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society, she attended a workshop with master weaver, Joan Carrigan from Saltspring Island, adding new techniques and materials to her base of knowledge.
Today she welcomes you to partake in her offerings and workshops and to come by and visit at her exciting new venture at the Willow Grove B&B Inn and Traditional Arts School.