Upcycled baby dolls, cute pottery, and hot apple cider: A first-timer tackles the Eastside Culture Crawl
Spoiler alert: two-and-a-half hours is only enough time to hit a small portion of open studios—but here are a neophyte’s coolest finds
Ultraviolet Oddities. All photos by Xenia Tejada-Hayes
Foodtrucks out front of 1000 Parker Street
TACKLING THE EASTSIDE Culture Crawl can be overwhelming, with a massive number of buildings in various locations and more than 450 artists. As a first-timer, it can seem even more daunting.
I decided to set myself a goal of seeing as many studios as possible in the span of two-and-a-half hours on opening night–working my way through the labyrinth of 1000 Parker Street, and then seeking out some lesser-known smaller spaces. With my limited time, and travelling by foot, I was not able to hit every studio I wanted to—but I did discover some amazing Japanese paper works, a room full of upcycled doll parts, and some cool pottery and blown glass. Here’s how it shook down:
5 pm: I am greeted by warm hellos at the entrance of 1000 Parker Street, the century-old industrial building that’s the Crawl’s main hub. The crowd is starting to roll in even at this opening time. I enter the building to find myself lost in a maze of halls with so many art-filled studios hidden within.
BULLSEYE PHOTOGRAPHY
Eve Leader
Sabrina Sachiko Niebler’s Studio.
5:10 pm: Colourful images of blurred flowers fill suite 136. Michael Bull’s work (BULLSEYE PHOTOGRAPHY), abstracted images of everything from daisies to dandelions in saturated hues, is a nice contrast to the chilly weather outside.
5:20 pm: I make my way up to the second floor. Right away I gravitate to suite 204, the studio of Sabrina Sachiko Niebler, whose delicate designs draw on the Japanese craft of kami-ito (paper thread) while using fine shifu (paper cloth). “My work consists of having a peaceful space and being within the body. It has connected me to my heritage,” the artist says.
5:35 pm: The halls roar with people walking in and out of studios, laughter, chatter, and music spilling out of each suite.
5:40 pm: A small studio on the third floor catches my eye with its dark, moody oil paintings: in studio 340, Eve Leader creates on Mylar, an older drafting film used by architects, to stunning, emotionally affecting effect.
5:52 pm: Wandering the halls I see a cheerful sculpture studio in suite 432. Kathryn Young’s retrospective exhibit of her work, ranging from the 1980s to now, takes me on a journey through her life, and her lively interpretation of fruit-like sculptures intrigue me—making me want a snack.
Suzy Birstein's studio
Loop Hole Bags, The Mergatroid
6:10 pm: A hum eminates from suite 410, where I follow the chatter to the back to find Suzy Birstein's studio. Her intricate fired-clay sculptures and paintings display a historic side of femininity—one of the charismatic figures in a yellow tutu stands out.
6:15 pm: I head outside the building for a food break at the food trucks parked outside 1000 Parker. It’s a cold night, so I go for a warm cider sprinkled with cinnamon from the Green Coast Coffee truck. For food, I opt for one of my all-time favourite go-to’s: a grilled cheese from Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck. Both are 10/10!
6:25 pm: I headed up the street and wander into another maze of a building at The Mergatroid. A crowd oo-ing and ahh-ing at a glass-blowing demonstration. The artist pulls and tugs the glass in the fire, stretching it long, like a glowing taffy.
6:30 pm: Upstairs I find many different forms of art—from handmade wooden furniture from the talented Enrique Morales, to cool, upcycled bike bags from Loop Hole Bags. With this much on offer, the Mergatroid building is a must-stop.
6:45 pm: I spot a display of glass-blown bubbly vases that make my inner maximalist self happy. Maria Ida Designs’ pieces for sale are dreamy, incorporating an array of different colours of glass, blown to make swirly, unique designs.
Katrina Hadley, Gore Studio
Ultraviolet Oddities, Gore Studio
6:50 pm: I make my way to the one and only Gore Studio—a re-imagined Chinatown noodle house turned art haven. As I walk in, the faint sound of a Whitney Houston song buzzes as I look around. I love the quilts on display at Katrina Hadley’s studio, with their old-school, intricate patchwork.
7 pm: Gore Studio’s second floor feels like a mystical purple art forest—filled with buzzing conversation, moss-covered furniture, a cute dog, and creativity all around. By far one of my favourite studios I have gotten the pleasure to see—I wanted to hang out in there forever.
7:15 pm: Located on the third floor is Violet Patrich’s Ultraviolet Oddities, which is art completely made of upcycled baby dolls. Whether it is a sculpture depicting a tree made entirely with doll limbs or a lit-up wall decoration that spells out the artist’s name, the entire studio is beyond creative and innovative. I also was wowed by the collage work of Xenxen (Xena Jacob), who reimagines historic images in coolly surreal collage works.
7:20 pm: I wander down the street and stumble into studio 721 Gore Street. So many amazing pieces of pottery to choose from! Elliot Morning’s sweetly painted images of deer and disco ball cherries, adorning mugs and other wares, are this year's gift from me to everyone on my holiday list.
7:30 pm: Is my time up already? I met so many great artists on my night of exploring the East Van art scene on foot—but clearly one evening isn’t enough. Luckily, the event continues to Sunday.
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