Tag Archives: Eastside Culture Crawl

28th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl November 14-17, 2024

21 Oct

The 28th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl returns November 14 – 17, 2024. This 4 day visual arts festival features over 500 artists located in some 55 buildings around Vancouver’s Eastside.  The event is an amazing opportunity to check out the amazing creative talent in this City. 

The Eastside Culture Crawl features a wide variety of artists including painters, furniture makers, jewellers, sculptors, potters, photographers, glassblowers and many more mediums. We encourage to take the opportunity to visit artists in their working studios. The Crawl, as it is affectionately known, is a great opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work and creative process. If you are looking to be inspired, this is event to attend.  

The Eastside Culture Crawl runs from November 14 – 17, 2024. November 14th and 15th runs from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 16th and 17th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Eastside Culture Crawl covers a wide geographical area on the Eastside of the City.  We find the Crawl Map to be a great resource in narrowing down artists and locations you may be interested in visiting.   The Eastside Culture Crawl is a free event and open to all ages.  For more information visit, the Eastside Culture Crawl.

Eastside Culture Crawl Happens November 16-19, 2023

1 Nov

The Eastside Culture Crawl is back November 16 – 19, 2023. This 4 day visual arts festival now in its 27th year is an amazing opportunity to check out the work of over 500 local artists. As the name indicates, most of the studios are on Vancouver’s Eastside in bounded by Columbia Street, First Ave and Victoria Drive.

The Eastside Culture Crawl features a wide variety of artists including painters, furniture makers, jewellers, sculptors, potters, photographers, glassblowers and many more mediums. We invite you to take the opportunity to visit artists in their working studios. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet local artists, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about each craft.  Artists are generally available to discuss their work and creative process, but keep in the mind the weekend of the crawl is the busiest. If you wish to have a chat with an artist, maybe try one of the evenings they are open on November 16th and 17th.  

The Eastside Culture Crawl runs from November 16-19 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 18 and 19 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Eastside Culture Crawl covers a wide geographical area.  We find the Crawl Map to be a great resource in narrowing down artists we are interested in visiting. Although sometimes we narrow down an area of East Van we wish to scout around in and combine with a great spot for coffee or lunch.  Either way, it’s a great way to get to know your City and maybe light your own creative spark.     This is a free event and open to all ages.  For more information visit, the Eastside Culture Crawl.

The Eastside Culture Crawl November 17 – 20, 2022

25 Oct

The Eastside Culture Crawl is back November 17 – 20, 2022. This 4 day visual arts festival is an amazing opportunity to check out the work of over 500 local artists. As the name indicates, most of the studios are on Vancouver’s Eastside in bounded by Columbia Street, First Ave and Victoria Drive.

The Eastside Culture Crawl will feature painters, furniture makers, jewellers, sculptors, potters, photographers, glassblowers and so much more. Take the opportunity to visit artists in their working studios and view their work up close and personal. Artists are generally available to discuss their work and creative process. The Eastside Culture Crawl runs from November 17 and 18 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 19 and 20 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. This is one event we never miss. Check out the Crawl Map and take a visual tour to see which studios you might like to visit.

CREATE! Arts Festival At Woodland Park August 21 & 22

4 Aug

The producers of the Eastside Culture Crawl Festival are bringing you a new innovative event, that being the CREATE! Arts Festival. The CREATE! Arts Festival is a new community initiative of the Eastside Arts Society which brings together over 40 local artists for art making. They will help you explore, learn and create art together through a series of affordable and accessible art workshops.

This is an all ages event in which you can learn felt making, ceramics, glass blowing, painting, printmaking, jewellery making and the list goes on. Most of the events will take place outdoors in Woodland Park Saturday August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd with a few workshops taking place in some Eastside studios. Workshops are $25 per person ($10 for kids workshops). For more information or to register for workshops, visit CREATE! Arts Festival.

Eastside Culture Crawl Happens November 14 to 17, 2019

13 Nov

ECC2019The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for 4 days starting Thursday, November 14th.  This event is a 4 day arts extravaganza that features the work of over 478 artists in and around East Vancouver.  Artists with a variety of mediums open their studio doors so you can see first hand their working space, their creative process and of course meet and talk to the artists about their work. On The Crawl, you will find painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers, photographers and much more. The event comprises some 78 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street.

We suggest if time is not on your side and you don’t mind crowds, you can take in the works of many artists in one fell swoop at 1000 Parker Street and the Mergatroid. These two hubs in the heart of East Van also feature food trucks for those that get hungry or thirsty wandering around.  The Mergatroid, at 975 Vernon Drive is just steps away from 1000 Parker Street also offers glass blowing demonstrations throughout the event on the main level which always draws a crowd.

If you don’t like crowds, there are a wide range of spaces to choose from during The Crawl, so there are lots of opportunities to see working studios and spaces that are a little further afield.   This year, as you make your way around, we encourage you to watch for the Displacement Exhibit. It is a multi-venue salon style exhibition which you can view at the Arts Factory, The Cultch, Firehall Arts Centre and Alternative Creation galleries.  This is an important exhibit that addresses the issue of disappearing affordable artistic production spaces and raise awareness of the loss of these spaces in our community.  The exhibit features work by artists faced with the challenge of eviction, shifting demographics and displacement.   The Eastside Culture Crawl Society feels “the contribution of arts and culture is integral to the identity of our city and the threat to viable artist space is a threat to the very core of a healthy vibrant community.” We couldn’t agree more. Change is inevitable but we would like to see a balance to ensure support for what makes Vancouver unique and beautiful.  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 printable .PDF map to help you find your way. We encourage you to check out the amazing talent in this City.  There is also a great Events page. Definitely worth a look.

If you have creative kids and want to check out The Crawl, we invite you to check out Crawling For Kids which Melk Art & Design is again hosting at their studio at 936 Clark Drive on Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm  It is a free afternoon of hands on creativity. It’s an opportunity to create collaged cards with nature inspired stamps.  Again, it’s free, first come first served.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, one thing we love about the Eastside Culture Crawl is that there is no set schedule. You go where you want, when you want for as long or as little as you want.  Add to that, there are an array of great spots to stop for a bite to eat or if one gets thirsty.   Whether you are in Strathcona, off the Drive, Railtown, Hastings Sunrise, Downtown Eastside or off of Clark Drive, there are countless options for coffee, beer, food and wine. Enjoy and get out support our local artists.

Art, Bike & Beer Crawl – July 14, 2019

8 Jul

ECCArtBikeBeerCrawl2019This Sunday you are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Art, Bike & Beer Crawl.  This is a fundraiser for the Eastside Culture Crawl in which you explore East Van’s craft breweries while at the same time supporting local art.  Guests will be taken to 3 of the 9 participating breweries after which there will be a wrap tour at Strange Fellows Brewing with tastings, of course.  Tickets are $60 each or 2 for $100.  To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

What’s On East Van: November 16th Edition

16 Nov

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Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming week.  Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

The Eastside Cultural Crawl – Various Locations – Nov. 15th – 18th

This weekend over 500 artists open their studio doors for the Eastside Cultural Crawl.  See first hand the amazing talent in this City and talk to the artists about their work and inspiration.  Don’t miss the opportunity. Whether it’s a whole day, evening, or just an hour or two, we encourage you take part in The Crawl. We promise, you’ll be amazed. It only happens once a year.

4 Day Fabric Sale – Our Social Fabric – #270 – 1275 Venables Street – Nov. 15-18

If you sew or want fabrics for crafting, you best check out the 4 day fabric sale at Our Social Fabric happening this weekend. It will be happening Friday evening 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from Noon – 4:00 pm. You don’t want to miss the great deals.

35th Annual Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Nov. 16th to 18th

One of the longest running craft fairs in the City happens this weekend. The 35th Annual Britannia Christmas Craft Fair happens Friday (3:00 pm – 8:00 pm), Saturday and Sunday (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) in Gym D.   They will have a wide range of handmade items perfect for gift giving whether Christmas or this winter babies. Entrance fee is $2, children 12 years and under are free.

Ritchies Pop Up Bakery – les amis du fromage – November 17th

This Saturday, les amis du fromage’s East Van location at 843 East Hastings Street hosts a Bakery Pop Up with Ritchies Bakery.  The pop up happens from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm or until they run out of goodies.  Being that les amis du fromage is situated amongst artistic talent in the Strathcona area, it’s a perfect stop along the route during The Crawl.

Famous Perogy Lunch Weekend – Ukranian Hall – Nov. 17th + 18th

Love perogies? This is the spot you want to be this weekend. You are invited to a Perogy Lunch between 11:00 and 3:00 pm this Saturday & Sunday at the Ukranian Hall. There will be homemade perogies from the Baba’s (we are sure the best!), Borshsch, Kolbassa on a bun and Cabbage Rolls. Some homemade crafts will also be on hand.  We recommend coming early, food is available until it sells out.

21st Century Flea Market – Croatian Cultural Centre – November 18th

185 tables of bargains this Sunday at the 21st Century Flea Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre including Boho chic, 50’s kitsch, collectibles,  memorabilia, vintage  retro furnishings, jewelry, holiday decor, antiques, dolls & toys, books, shabby chic, china & glass, memorabilia and a whole lot more. General admission is $5 at the door from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.  If you want VIP admission at 7:00 am, cost is $20.

The Enemy – Firehall Arts Centre – Until December 1st

A contemporary political drama continues this weekend at the Firehall Arts Centre. The Enemy is an interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, a female Dr. Stockman discovers contamination in the community’s water source and is branded an enemy and accused of destroying the local economy. For tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Comedy, Entertainment & Live Music

If it’s comedy you are after, Graham Clark’s Laugh Gallery happens at Havana Theatre every Monday night.  For live music, the Libra Room on The Drive has a regular line up of music. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3-7 pm, no cover.

This weekend it’s two winter farmer markets. Saturday there’s Riley Park (10 am – 2 pm) and Sunday, the Hastings Park Farmers Market also happens from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

Art Of East Van By ILIEV Designs Featuring Artist Kat McPhee

15 Nov

KatMcPheeWe are big fans of the amazing artistic talent we have in East Vancouver. Whether it’s behind the studio walls or in the alley way.  We decided that we wanted to blend our love of the environment, using less plastic and at the same time showcase East Van art.   ILiveInEastVan is partnering with East Van artists to showcase their art work on canvas tote bags.

Today we are excited to launch the Art Of East Van by ILIEV Designs featuring our first artist Kat McPhee. We’ve been following Kat for a few years and love her edgy work that has a definite street vibe. Kat is a self-taught artist that creates vibrant portraits and mixed media prints using elements of graffiti and animation as inspiration.  We have created 3 tote bags featuring Kat’s portraits. As you can see from the photo below, we have totes featuring the stunning Audrey Hepburn, the larger than life Anthony Bourdain and the make my day Clint Eastwood.  These totes are now available for sale at Kat’s studio which is located in the Arts Factory, 281 Industrial Avenue (near Main & Terminal) along with 20 other artists. Their studios are now open for the Eastside Culture Crawl.  We invite to stop by and check out her work during The Crawl happening November 15th & 16th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 17th & 18th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

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Eastside Cultural Crawl November 15 – 18, 2018

5 Nov

EastsideCultureCrawl2018The 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.

Eastside Culture Crawl’s 3rd Annual Art, Bike & Beer Crawl July 14, 2018

19 Jun

ArtBeerCrawl2018The Eastside Culture Crawl is hosting their 3rd Annual Art, Bike & Beer Crawl on Saturday, July 14, 2018.  This is fundraiser for the Eastside Culture Crawl Society which does a great job showcasing some of the amazing artistic talent we have in East Van.  As the name depicts, you will be taken on a crawl of 4 breweries, names to be announced, but their official beer sponsor is Strange Fellows Brewing which is also where the wrap tour will be held along with light eats.  The beer crawl will feature tasting flights at each brewery along with tours and/or chats on beer as well as art exhibits at certain spot on the tour.  The event happens rain or shine and you are invited to cycle or walk the Art, Bike & Beer Crawl.  Tickets are $55 and available from Eventbrite.  You must be 19 years or older to participate in this event.