End Of The Crawl

Above. A back yard studio. This is the second such studio I have become aware of in the neighbourhood in the last few weeks. Which leads me to conclude that such studios are more common than I would have thought. 

I say neighbourhood, in fact the galleries participating in the event sprawl across two or three neighbourhoods. 

Fair Warning

Below. There are a number of cafés and coffee shops along the way where gallery crawlers were able to stop and rest. Some locations, such as Union Market, had live music.  

I didn't get to see a fraction of the galleries and artists' work that I might have if I had started on Friday. Next year I'll set aside all three days. 

I knew of a few of these artists before this event. I've met and spoken with a couple of them before. But I had no idea there were so many artists, 300 in this event, working on the east side. And I live here! 

I hope it wasn't too boring for the rest of you. 

Railway Ave.

The Eastside Culture Crawl along Railway Avenue. The studios were clearly marked with sandwich boards and yellow balloons. 

The door is an artistic effort inspired by all the real talent I was exposed to on the weekend. 

Freight Elevator Door

Below. I had the best time browsing the galleries, talking to artists, and trying to take photographs. I took a few pictures in this gallery but mostly it's blurred heads or arms or entire bodies. And the lighting is what it is. I have to say most people don't seem to care if they are in the shot which made me feel very comfortable. Generally when I look up I find someone is waiting to pass by until I've finished. 

This is the only person who seemed a tad miffed by my picture taking. Let's hope she doesn't find out she is in my blog.

Culture Crawl

Above. Basic Instinct Gallery is a space where artists of all levels can work on their life drawing and painting skill. This is their brand new street front location.

It came to my notice that the Eastside Culture Crawl took place this past weekend. I think I was supposed to know this all along and forgot about it until Saturday afternoon. Even then it was a pure fluke that I stumbled upon one of the participating studios.

Three hundred artists located in over 50 venues participated. There is lots of walking involved getting from one studio to the other. I'm kicking myself for picking up on things so late but I thoroughly enjoyed the galleries I managed to visit. The weather was perfect.

I've postponed my scheduled posts for a few days to include some shots I took on my rounds of the galleries. And to test the limits of the patience of my faithful friends and visitors. I didn't take pictures of the artists work per se but it was a lot of fun to see the interiors of galleries and buildings I wouldn't usually get to see. The shear number of talented people in the arts community is mind boggling. 

Below. Any number of artists' studios are in old industrial or commercial buildings. In this case the studio was located at the back of the building in the basement. On the way down a lane, beside an overpass, I noticed this door and wall.