The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for 4 days starting Thursday, November 15th. This 4 day arts extravaganza is now its 22nd year and features over 480 artists in and around East Vancouver. If you aren’t already familiar with this event, artists from a variety of mediums open their studio doors so you can see firsthand their working space, their creative process and their work. The artists themselves will of course be on hand to discuss any aspect of their work. During the Eastside Culture Crawl, you will find painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers, photographers and much more. The event grows each year and now comprises over 80 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street.
If time is not on your side and you want to take in as many artists in one fell swoop, 1000 Parker Street and the Mergatroid are your spots to hit and definitely a hub of action which includes some food trucks for those that get hungry. The Mergatroid, 975 Vernon Drive has glass blowing demonstrations on view at the main level, but be sure to check out the other studio spaces within the building. Note, this part of The Crawl can get busy on the weekends, so if that’s not your thing, there are many other options. Organizers prepare an amazing online map that sets out all the studios. We invite you to check it out. If you are unsure where you wish to start, check out the Program Guide for more information.
Each year, we try and tackle a new area/artists we haven’t visited before. This year we are heading to The Arts Factory to check out a young artist we’ve been following for a few years now, Kat McPhee. Her work applies elements of graffiti, is edgy and has the feel of street art.
Also, on our list this year is the artist, L.J. Throstle. Lucy creates beautiful works using single use stencils and acrylic spray paint. Her subjects are generally people and animals. If you can find les amis du fromage’s East van location (843 East Hastings), you can find Lucy’s studio, it is below ground at 841 East Hastings. She captures subjects in a unique way.
If it’s woodworking you wish to see, you need to check out Jesse Toso and the Toso Wood Works in Parker Studios at 1000 Parker Street. His items are made for salvaged wood are beautiful and unique. If you can’t make The Crawl which showcase his larger pieces, you can also visit his gallery at 3567 Commercial Street before or after The Crawl.
What we love about the Eastside Culture Crawl is that you have 4 days to stop in and check out the artists at your own pace. You go where you want on The Crawl for as long as you want. Adding to the event, is many great spots to stop for a bite or refreshment along the way. Whether you are in Strathcona, off the Drive, Railtown, Hastings Sunrise, Downtown Eastside or off the growing stretch off Clark Drive, there are countless options for coffee, beer, food and wine.
To help guide you through some of the art available, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a great downloadable map to help you find your way. Don’t miss this opportunity to check out the amazing talent in this City. The Crawl runs November 15th and 16th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 17th and Sunday, November 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. See you on the Crawl.
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