Local artists will once again come out in full force this weekend for the 13th annual New West Cultural Crawl.
For more than a decade, craft makers from across the creative spectrum – whether it be pottery, textiles, jewelry, 3D installations or paintings – have showcased their work in a variety of venues across the city.
The initiative is the brainchild of Trudy Van Dop (of Van Dop Gallery), who posted a small ad in the Record 13 years ago about an art walk.
Her goal was simple: to shine the spotlight on local talent (only those who live or work in New West can participate).
Eight studios and a handful of artists signed up for the inaugural crawl, which attracted about 100 people over two days.
Today, the crowd can be as big as 5,000. There are more than 50 artists involved during the Aug. 13 and 14 event, which spans six neighbourhoods and includes 23 venues.
“It’s been positive all the way around,” says Van Dop. “It seems more neighbourhoods are wanting to have more happening within their particular sector of New West. I see it getting stronger and stronger, I really do. There are more artists moving to New Westminster and they recognize that we do have a vibrant arts community.”
She added the crawl is a great opportunity for artists to make some money, garner commissions and connect with folks who are interested in their work.
Unlike last year, the crawl will kick off with an opening reception on Aug. 12 at Anvil Centre, from 5 to 7 p.m. Local and provincial dignitaries will be in attendance, and the reception will also mark the opening of the New West Pride Group exhibit, Uncover.
For the crawl itself, Van Dop advises to break it up into two days.
Participating venues in Uptown include Century House, the public library and Judy Darcy’s constituency office. There’s Old Crow Coffee and Jean Queen Clothing downtown, and Garden Gals in the West End. Queensborough Community Centre will also open its doors, as well as Van Dop’s gallery at 421 Richmond St., featuring the New West 7.
There is also a host of “special events” going on. Opus Art Supplies is sponsoring a paint out in Queen’s Park.
“That’s going to be awesome. People can go there and they can get a canvas if they pre-register and then they can go anywhere in New Westminster and paint a picture and bring it back, and OPUS will put them all on display in the bandshell and there will be prizes for the winners,” explained Van Dop, adding the New West craft summer night market at the Quay follows at 6 p.m.
For more, visit newwestculturalcrawl.com.
