First Saturday Open Studios happens this Saturday, April 2nd from Noon to 5:00 pm. What is it? It is an opportunity to visit artists in their studios and get a chance to ask questions, learn techniques, see work in progress and if the urge strikes, buy artwork directly from the artist.
This is a once monthly event as the name eludes, the first Saturday of the month, in Vancouver and North Vancouver with different artists participating in each month.
This weekend, we know Jesse Toso, of Toso Wood Works, is hosting an Open Studio with a number of other artists at The Annex, 1001 Parker Street. Expect beautiful handmade furniture in this space along with beautiful art. If you are looking for things to do this weekend, this is definitely something worth checking out. What studios are open this weekend? Visit Next Open Studios here for more info.
The Neigbourhood Small Grant program is back for 2022. The foundation of this program is connecting people within their own communities. The premise of the program is fairly simple. It is the belief that the best people to affect change in a community, are those that live within it. When money is less of an issue, it allows more ideas to flow. This is where the grants come in. The Neighbourhood Small Grants program allows you to apply for up to $500 for your idea to connect your community.
What have other people done? A few ideas include book exchanges, benches and community gardens. Some other ideas include creating small care packages for seniors with a few spring flowers and crossword puzzles and/or word search games. For young children, creating a scavenger hunt in a park with prizes. People have also created art cards for seniors in long term care. Connection is the key and the ideas are only limited by your imagination and, of course, the $500 budget. Want more ideas or thinking about applying? We invite you to visit Neighbourhood Small Grants for more information.
The basic principles of the Neighbourhood Small Grants Program:
Small is beautiful. Small ideas are beautiful and manageable.
Everyone has something to offer. Whether you can teach a skill or give some tips, or provide a service. We all have something valuable to share.
It’s your project. You create how you want it to look and feel.
Create your chosen family. A platform to help build networks within your community.
Applications are now open until April 30, 2022. Applications may be accepted for a second cycle in the Fall depending on whether funds are still available. This is a great opportunity to create something memorable for your community.
First Pick Handmade is returning to the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, on Sunday, March 27, 2022 for a Spring Pop Up Market. They will be featuring a wide range of high quality Canadian made fashion and accessories. Some of the makers that will be on hand include Bronsino, Silver & Gold Clothing, Mimi and Moo, Mata Home, Dougherty Glass Works, Callipyge Collection and Heather Johnston Art which will have some beautiful cushions with iconic Vancouver imagery. So whether you are looking for something for your home, for yourself, or a gift, lots to choose from with all this talent under one roof. We encourage you to stop by and check it out between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. Admission is free.
If you are looking for some light hearted fun and good laughs, then you may wish to check out The Comic Strippers coming to the York Theatre. This is a 19+ show featuring a fictitious group of male strippers played by a cast of improvisational comedians. They sing, dance and gyrate and aim to be sexy, but ending up being funny. They are semi undressed and completely unscripted which makes each show unique as they banter with the crowd during each performance. You have a few opportunities coming up to take in their performance at the York Theatre being April 1 & 2, 2022 and June 3, 2022. To purchase your tickets for a fun night out, visit The Cultch.
Here’s what others are saying about The Comic Strippers:
“Extremely Funny!” UK FRINGE REVIEW
“The show is suitable for both men and women. An entertaining ride where anything goes.” RIP IT UP MAGAZINE
“One of the most hilarious shows I’ve ever seen.” VANCOUVER SUN
The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, has put out its annual call to visual artists to submit applications to exhibit their work during the 2022/2023 gallery season. Each exhibition will run for 3 to 4 weeks between September 2022 and July 2023. If you are an artist, why should you exhibit?
The Cultch is excited to be able to showcase your work on their walls again.
Exhibiting artists are paid an exhibition honorarium.
Exhibitions are now in person on the gallery walls and online.
The Cultch has built a reputation over the past 45 years as one of Western Canada’s most innovative and exciting presenting venues. The mandate of The Cultch is to contribute to the enrichment of the city and community’s social and cultural life through the presentation of innovative programs of contemporary music, theatre, dance and visual arts by established and emerging artists.
The Cultch Gallery is a multi-use space and not a traditional art gallery as it also serves as the lobby for performances and is occasionally used for meetings and other small events. Due to the diverse nature of this space, submissions that include sculptures or free standing art will not be accepted. Further, they will only be able to show works that hang from their gallery ‘rail’ system that does not have a depth of more than 12″ inches in depth.
Submission Criteria for Artists:
An artist statement
Artist bio(s)
Resume/CV
A complete list of images you are submitting, which should include title, size, medium. These images do not have to be the work you will be showing. They want to get a good overview of your work.
You can submit up to 10 images and not necessarily the images you plan on showing, but so they get a sense of the range of work you do. Image files should be in .jpeg format. No PDFs. File names must include the artist name, title of artwork and size of the work when framed: (example: Yuri Arajs – Sunny Day -18 in x 30 in. jpg). Images should be 300 dpi.
Deadline for applications is May 31, 2022. Email your submissions to gallery@thecultch.com. If you have any questions, you can email Yuri Arajs, the Gallery Coordinator at The Cultch gallery@thecultch.com.
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