2008 Eastside Culture Crawl - Vancouver

3 days, 300 artists, 50 buildings. Open Studios for everyone to explore -- painters, illustrators, jewellers, furniture makers, musicians, weavers, textile artists, potters, writers, print makers, ceramics, sculptors, glassware artists, and more.

WHEN ARE THE STUDIOS OF THE EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL OPEN? WHAT HOURS?

Friday, November 21, 2008 from 5 pm-10 pm. Saturday & Sunday, November 22-23, 2008 from 11 am-6 pm

OPENING NIGHT REVIEW EASTSIDE CULTURAL CRAWL

Despite the drizzle, Vancouverites showed their resilience and commitment to art by packing the studios of over 300 artists opening night of the Eastside Culture Crawl. But it wasn't so overwhelmingly crowded that you couldn't enjoy the art. Instead the warehouses crackled with excitement. I grew up in Vancouver and had no idea that such cool studio spaces existed and that Vancouver was filled with such talent. The vibe of the Eastside Culture Crawl essentially feels like having a hip artist friend with a Soho art loft saying, hey, stop by this weekend, I'm having a little show with some friends. All in great fun, especially when one uber-chic furniture wood working studio had no qualms about juxtaposing their organic forms with a studio soundtrack of Britney Spears punctuating their party complete with a pin-up of the pop princess slapped on a post as if she were a racey nudie calendar photo in an auto repair shop. All the artists on hand were unpretentious, welcoming and the art was accessible and dare I say affordable, not at all scandalously overpriced.

EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL ARTISTS OF ARTISTIC MERIT

As someone who resides part of the year on the East Coast in Washington, D.C. I was pleasantly suprised by the quality of the art produced by working artists, truly dedicated individuals committed to their craft. In comparison, Artomatic, a collective community art show produced in Washington, D.C. is an annual exhibition where unjuried artists take over a vacant building and show their works. At Artomatic in D.C., some artists display for pure shock value. It's overwhelming, pompous and exhausting. Vancouver's Eastside Culture Crawl in comparison is a gem and delight to take in Vancouver's thriving art scene, to glimpse Canada's future Jeff Walls, both up and coming artists as well as those artists who exhibit in pricey showrooms.

WHERE TO START YOUR EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL?

With over 50 buildings, it's hard to know where to start. A good place to get your art on would be the cluster of studios closest to Venables and Clark Drive. One of the biggest concentrations of artists will be in the sprawling warehouse space of Parker Street Studios at 1000 Parker Street with over 70 artists displaying their works. Mergatroid is just around the corner at 975 Vernon Drive with over 35 artists. We started first at William Clark Studios at 1310 William Street with 17 artists. I think this is a good place to start because it's not too overwhelming, sort of like a dip in the shallow end of the pool before wading into the warrens of Parker Street Studios. Word to the wise. Hit up the crawl early with a good pair of shoes. My aunt and I started around 7 pm opening night and went solid till 10 pm close. We only made it through two buildings. Forget the artists who were probably exhausted from prepping through the show, just playing art connoisseur for the night, our upper thighs got quite the workout negotiating the uneven, hard concrete floors.

OTHER EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL VENUE HIGHLIGHTS

For a peek at artist work/live spaces & studios with commanding views of the mountains, water & the North Shore don't miss the artists towards the northeast corner of the Eastside Culture Crawl at The Arc at 1701 Powell Street featuring 27 artists plus a coffee shop to grap a quick cup of joe. Another vicarious thrill are the studios closest to Japan Town. Head straight up Powell Street and if you're a bit hungry by now, stop by for lunch or tea stop at the Japanese Language School at 487 Alexander. They were serving up authentic homestyle Japanese curry or udon for only $4 and green tea for only $.50 from 12 noon-3 pm. Then head onwards to Railtown Studios at 321 Railway & check out the panoramic views from Rainforest Design in Suite #204. Many more artists have flung open their doors since the program was printed so there is much to see beyond the few that are listed. While you're in the area visit 287 Alexander Street & The Ironworks at 235 Alexander Street and 329 & 339 Railway. For the cutest retro chic original purses and accessories, you can go home with a new satchel for less than $75 or other little pocket purses for under $40 at Astrosatchel Accessories in #209 at 339 Railway.

ARTISTS TO LOOK FOR AT THE EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL

So much to see, so little shoe leather. It is really a disservice for me to point out one artist over another because all the art I've seen so far is awesome. You're sure to make you own exciting discoveries. But here are a few artists to poke your head into as you swing by. At William Clark Studios don't miss Eric Larsen who conjures up amazing wire sculptures -- a 3D First Nations mask, a chic chandelier and so forth. As we walked by, an enthusiastic patron with non-buyer's remorse from passing on pieces last year was eagerly scooping up wire faces. Patricia Chauncey is an amazing textiles artist working in "extreme textile expressions" heating fabric using Japanese shibori techniques to produce amazing textural pieces. At Parker Street Studios, don't miss the engaging mended leaves of Robin Ripley. At first glance, you think she's just mounted a bunch of leaves. Peer closer and you see she has painstakingly sewn in missing spaces in leaves.

HOW TO GET TO THE EASTSIDE CULTURE CRAWL

The closest Skytrain station will be the Main Street station where you can start the Eastside Culture Crawl from the West. Most other venues are best approached by bus. Driving was definitely the way to go as it allowed us to pack in a lot of disparate venues. I took my car to the studios mentioned above and did not have any problem parking as there seemed to be pretty good turn around with people coming and going although I had to sometimes park a block or so away. Because many of the venues are in industrial areas, I did not once have to plug a meter. Parking meters are still in effect on the weekend so take plenty of change, just in case. Click here for a map of the Eastside Culture Crawl.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Eastside Culture Crawl