In 2015, I decided to explore Vancouver's first and biggest International Art Fair. Although I have visited a lot of galleries, exhibitions and Art events, I had never seen Artists walk or waltz their work down a runway! Lynn, the friend I was with, said that she would be helping Anne Gudrun, carry her 3 panelled piece, down the 'catwalk'. I was amazed that the Art could be touched, let alone carried. My job was to take photos and write. Here is what I wrote: Art!Vancouver - World Art Show Comes to Van. This is what brings me back to Art Vancouver, every year. And no, I didn't tag or do an Instagram reel, as I do now. Instagram reels were introduced in 2020. Now, I will blog and do all sorts of social media before and during the 4 day event, this time, May 4-7 and still at the Vancouver Convention Centre. But meeting the Artists is another reason I attend. Anne Gudrun, whom I met in 2015, has a newsletter and I have followed her on her Art travels and regularly see her exhibitions at her studio in North Vancouver. I met Indigenous Designer, Dorothy Grant (Art Vancouver Opening Night April 19, 2018) when she walked her Dress: "Raven Comes Full Circle", and Menswear Jacket with "Raven Eagle Shawl Collar and embroidered Eagle Design Shirt, and then again at she exhibited at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (Dorothy Grant At Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week ) I have also found Dorothy Grant in exhibits locally at Museum of Vancouver and at the Seattle Art Museum. I meet Artists and then follow their careers.
Opening night, at Art Vancouver, is the time to dress and to shout out local Designers and local thrift stores like My Sister's Closet thrift shops and Wildlife Thrift Store and your favourite businesses. Jewelry Designer, Carolyn Bruce has created Art themed necklaces for me, many times and when we attended together in 2019, we both wore fabulous pieces. A Pavlova with ballet dancers earrings, fit the idea that Art is a broad topic and especially at Art Vancouver, where in addition to Fine Art, Sculpture, Painting, Photography, Mixed Media, there is also Performance, Music, Workshops, Podcasts, all sorts. A second necklace by Carolyn, "The Art is in the Bag", featured tiny handbags on the chain and the central piece was a frame with a larger bag.... It just may open to reveal a photo or picture as you wish.
This year, my necklace could be called, In the Frame, or The Empty Canvas. On the chain are tiny picture frames and the central pieces are 3 larger canvases, which I asked 4 Artists to embellish. Sandi Bassett, Lynn Li, Sascha Westendorp, and Joseph Boutros Agape Ghabi enthusiastically used a tiny paintbrush and painted on miniature canvases while I chatted to them about their work. See my Instagram reel to see before and after snaps of the necklace and the Artists at work. So meeting the Artists and making connections and memories is what Art Vancouver represents for me. I meet local and international Artists, all in one place. They exhibit, they tell stories, they do podcasts and interviews and they walk the runway! Where else can you find so much and all in 4 days? And, when you get your tickets, you get a fantastic book/catalogue of the Artists and Galleries at the event as well as a brochure with a map of the exhibits and schedule of all events. This year the cover artwork is by Natasha Redwood-Scribe, an Ojibwe Indigenous Vancouver Artist. "Girl And The Bear Spirit" is on both covers. By the way, I heard that Yoko Ono visited Art Vancouver, Saturday, May 6th! Artists come from all around the world and as is typical for Vancouver, locals, usually come from elsewhere and bring with them their international perspectives.
So, Art Vancouver is once a year, but you can go to Art Downtown, at lot 19 and see Artists at work, throughout the summer. There are Art Masters events and competitions, during that time. You can also visit the Bentall Centre where there are exhibits and classes, year round. As Lisa Wolfin, Director of Art Vancouver, says: "Art connects us to the world around us, sparks our imagination, and challenges us to see things in new ways. It is a source of joy, inspiration, and wonder, and we are honoured to share it with you." For more information, please visit vanvaf.com and artvancouver.net. And, watch for Art Vancouver International Art Fair 2024 at Vancouver Convention Centre. Plan to dress up, meet local and international Artists, watch the Art go down the runway, attend new classes, interview or be interviewed, ask about exhibiting or speaking, get your best photos, buy new Art, ...the adventure is all yours. Oh, and use your social media to get others to join the adventure! See you year round and do plan for 2024.
Here are some of my favourite photos from May 4th.
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