Artists in Our Midst (AIOM) celebrates 25 years of open-door artistic explorations with the West of Main Art Walk, May 27 & 28, 2017. In its largest-ever year, the festivities stretch from Point Grey to Main Street and from Granville Island to 41st Avenue, as a vibrant community of more than 50 artists share their works in garden studios, cafés, shops, and community centres. Anticipating the weekend’s revelations, The Roundhouse Exhibit will offer early glimpses of the discoveries to-be-made on May 18 from 10am to 9pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre.
The inspiration for the West of Main Art Walk came when painter Pnina Granirer attended Paris’ great Génie de la Bastille open studio event in 1991. The idea travelled home with her and she shared it with fellow artist Anne Adams, leading to the inaugural Artists in Our Midst open studio tour in 1993.
In the subsequent two and a half decades the celebration would grow in size and scope, year after year, integrating events such as satellite exhibitions, artist talks, and philosophers cafés.
For its milestone 25th year, activities will commence with the May 18 exhibit and art sale at Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre. The day-long event highlights a wide range of paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and photography, and acts as a prelude to the weekend-long art walk. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, view samples of their art, and select the studios they wish to visit the following weekend.
During the West of Main Art Walk, more than 30 studios, several cafés, and shops will open their doors to showcase the artists' eclectic and expressive works. As the public traverse between the exhibition spaces, they will have the opportunity to venture to stunning garden studios, personally meet the creators, and engage in dialogue about their art and process.
West of Main Art Walk presented by Artists in Our Midst
The Roundhouse Exhibit
Date: May 18, 2017: 10am – 9pm (Opening Reception: 7pm – 9pm)
Address: Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC
Open Studio Tour and Sale
Date: May 27 & 28, 2017: 11am – 5pm
Website: artistsinourmidst.com
