Mark your calendars for this year's South Granville Art Walk on June 22 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Known as Gallery Row since the 1960s, South Granville and the South Granville Business Improvement Association are proud to host this annual event that brings out people of all ages, whether they love art already or are just interested in learning more about various artistic mediums.
"It's a wonderful creative day for the neighbourhood," says Sharon Townsend of the South Granville BIA. "It brings people from all over the Lower Mainland."
Last year was a rousing success, Townsend says, noting that hundreds of people paid a visit to the neighbourhood and stayed to do some shopping and dining along the street.
"ArtWalk gives people the opportunity to check out galleries that they would otherwise be intimidated by," she says. "It's been really successful for the neighbourhood."
This year, 15 galleries will take part, including Chali-Rosso Art Gallery.
"Art is entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring," says owner Susanna Strem. "Definitely worth partaking in on a Saturday afternoon!"
Chali-Rosso is known for its collection of modern masters of the 20th century, including Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, just to name a few. The gallery will be holding a talk during the ArtWalk appropriately titled ArtWalk of the Greats, hosted by Strem herself.
Many of the other galleries will be hosting events of their own.
Bau-Xi Gallery has several, including an artist talk by British Columbia's Cori Creed and a wine tasting sponsored by Fort Berens Estate Winery. They are also awarding two full colour artist books during a book draw later in the afternoon.
The Ian Tan Gallery will be hosting several activities throughout the day as well, including a morning coffee and chat with Erika Toliusis at 10 a.m., a 1 p.m. lecture by Dr. Lynn Ruscheinsky on B.C. landscapes and collecting art, a wine-tasting sponsored by artisan winery Clos du Soleil at 2 p.m. and a 6 p.m. door prize draw, sponsored by Miraj Hammam Spa.
The Kurbatoff Gallery will offer a wine and cheese reception and an artist talk by Chris Charlebois, while the Heffel Fine Art Auction House, a Vancouver icon that has been in business since 1978 and which is known as Canada's National Auction House, will be exhibiting a preview of their June online auction featuring works by Robert Genn, Ross Penhall, Tom Hopkins and others.
"Heffel Gallery is a mainstay of the art gallery scene on South Granville, and ArtWalk is a wonderful event," says Vice-President Robert Heffel. "We enjoy participating in ArtWalk because it often introduces people to our gallery for the first time. We welcome visitors to Vancouver, our valued clients and all Vancouverites to enjoy the finest art Canada has to offer at our gallery. It is a beautiful time of year for walking, and Heffel welcomes you to come in and see the works in our June online auction."
Uno Langmann Limited will hold a lecture comparing the works of CJ Collings to other major Canadian artists in the afternoon, as part of its contribution to the ArtWalk.
A variety of artistic mediums will be on display during the event this year Townsend says, and a wide selection of artists. Among the types of art you'll see are West Coast Native art, modern and contemporary art and historic pieces.
For more information about the ArtWalk and for a full list of galleries participating and their events, visit www.southgranville.org/artwalk
