Eastside Culture Crawl’s Take Flight benefit flies in a new direction for 2020
The official launch fundraiser goes online to support Crawl artists and bring community together through art
The annual Eastside Culture Crawl is just around the corner. One of the most highly anticipated Vancouver arts events of the year, the beloved fest involves artists on Vancouver’s Eastside opening their studio to the public—this time out, virtually. In celebration of art, community, and 24 years of crawling the city’s Eastside Arts District, the festival’s Take Flight fundraiser is now taking place online, a launch benefit that’s never been more important.
More so than any other time in its history, the Eastside Culture Crawl Society (ECCS) is calling on the community to support the arts. The pandemic has proven to be a difficult time for everyone, but especially artists, who have been among the hardest hit.
A recent survey of Culture Crawl artists found that 66 percent of them could not foresee being able to practice art beyond one year under the current conditions. The majority of participating Crawl studios and artists—including emerging and established painters, jewellers, sculptors, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, photographers, glassblowers, and more—rely on the opportunities and connections the ECCS provides to support their artistic practices throughout the year. Support of Take Flight allows the ECCS to continue to offer free festival programming in an unprecedented year when so many arts organizations have been forced to pivot in response to the pandemic.
Now in its fourth year, Take Flight is as enticing as ever, with an incredible silent auction, a fun art-tote auction, and the return of the wildly popular Art Roulette. A signature Take Flight feature, Art Roulette sees 30 Eastside Culture Crawl artists donate an original piece of artwork valued at over $450 each. Thirty ticket holders receive a unique number that's entered into the random draw; once the numbers are drawn, they get to select and take home an original artwork. It’s an exciting and engaging way to get involved and be introduced to some of the amazing Crawl artists. Tickets are available now for only $350; view artworks and find tickets here.
Through the Art Totes Auction, you can pick up a fun tote pack of art projects and treats all wrapped up in a custom screen-printed Culture Crawl tote for $50 here. One lucky tote will contain a golden ticket that will gift the winning bidder with an artwork created by a Crawl artist valued over $350 on top of their art tote package.
Some of the highlights at the Take Flight Silent Auction include items from Burrowing Owl Winery, John Fluevog shoes, Trail Appliances, and Grimson & Sons Jewelry, as well as a priceless, private, guided tour of five Culture Crawl studios. Preview the auction here.
By participating in Take Flight, the public galvanizes ECCS’s work in making East Vancouver the vibrant neighbourhood we know and love. With your support, the Crawl can continue to bring community together through art. ART HAPPENS HERE!
Take Flight runs until November 7. See Take Flight for more information.
Krista Johnson’s 2019 Outstretched Hands (oil on panel, 16x16) is up for bidding at Art Roulette.
Fluevog shoes are among dozens of incredible items at Take Flight’s silent auction.