East Vancouver culture crawl to return Thursday

Vancouver’s Eastside Culture Crawl Visual Arts, Design and Craft Festival returns for its 28th year this week, boasting more than 500 registered artists working in more than 55 buildings.

Esther Rausenberg, the artistic and executive director of the festival, says it may be too big for anyone to see it all, but there’s something for everyone.

“It’s really difficult for you to get around to all 500. So I’d say, ‘Start with a plan.’ You’ll get distracted, but start with a plan anyway. And just head out,” said Rausenberg. 

“We can’t control the weather, but I can promise you, if you do get out there, you will be fascinated by some of the art that you’re going to see.”

She says the festival supports artists, especially those who are forced to work in smaller and smaller spaces due to the affordability crisis.

“Two decades ago, I myself would have 1,000 square feet — I mean, you could basically ride a bike around the studio. And today you’re looking at artists working in 100 square feet, and it costs a fair bit of change to have that small space to work in.”

Rausenberg says working in a smaller space can challenge the creative process “to the detriment of the whole art medium.”

This year, the crawl has organized a pop-up space that supports artists who can no longer afford their own studios.

“We selected five artists who live in the area and are working essentially from home,” she explained. “And because they’re working from home, can’t really open up the studio because they’re in apartment buildings.”

The festival features work that runs the gamut of art forms, Rausenberg says.

“Painting, jewelry, sculpture, furniture, leather goods, photography, glass, textiles. Am I missing anything? Oh yes, metal work,” she said.

“That’s what makes this particular event so unique, is that there is something of interest for everybody.”

Festival maps are available at each of the participating studios, online, and at some JJ Bean locations in the city. The crawl will run from Nov. 14 to Nov 17.