Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island.
This weeks featured local people profile is: Gabrielle Jensen
Here’s a little about Gabrielle;
Most people know me through my work, I own Gulf Island Picture Framing, and have for more than 21 years now. A fact that I both marvel at and feel pride in. Before this I studied Fine Arts and Graphic Design in Vancouver. Skills I learned in college I use every day in my work as a framer as well as my pursuit as an artist. Finding time for my art is a challenge that I'm still working on. I share my life with a wonderful man and his beautiful daughter.
What brought you to Salt Spring Island?
I moved to Salt Spring with my family when I was eleven. But what brought me back 12 years ago was many things. Among them were family and friends but mostly a sense of belonging that I didn't feel in the city. Moving back allowed me the opportunity to thrive, not just in business, but personally as well.
What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?
Take your time and prepare to stay.
If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?
What would I change about one of the most beautiful and safe places on the planet? If I was forced to comment I guess it would be parking. But since I don't have a solution to offer, I try to keep this very first world problem to myself.
Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?
It would be a re-addition, and it would be my dad. I miss him every day.
Is there a special project, business or initiative you are working on that islanders should know about?
For the last two years I have been teaching drawing. The classes are in a weekend workshop format and have been very successful. The decision to teach began as a financial one but the discovery that I love to teach far exceeds the monetary gain. A life lesson that stepping out of your wheelhouse, although scary, can turn into something life changing.
Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?
What is your favorite thing about Salt Spring?
How would you have answered your question?
The people. Put simply, Salt Springers show up. Be it illness, accidents, celebrations, supporting local business and farmers, financial hardship, friendship, I could go on and on ..... We show up. We are mostly a fiercely loyal group, and I feel fortunate to call Salt Spring home.
