The British Columbia Associations' Cooperative of Small Wood Businesses (The Wood Co-op) was created in 1999 to provide a venue for woodworkers and designers in British Columbia to share ideas, pool resources and have their work made known to national and international audiences. The Wood Co-op Gallery on Granville Island, Vancouver was opened July 1, 2000, showing the work of 34 artisans. The Gallery now features the work of over 150 members and has developed a reputation as the premiere venue for wood furniture and objects d'arts in western Canada. The membership and staff of the co-op are committed to the value-added and sustainable use of BC's forestry resource.
Members of Wood Co-op come from all over the Province of British Columbia, from Haida Gwaii to Malakwa, from Sandspit to Saltspring. The Co-op is always looking for new members who employ innovative uses for wood. Representation in the Wood Co-op is decided by a jury panel.
Future plans include the expansion of marketing services in a variety of ways, the creation of a membership directory, and the arrangement of new group insurance packages.
The Wood Co-op's membership web site can be found at www.woodco-op.org.