The Whyte Avenue Art Walk is taking its 20th anniversary in stride as approximately 450 artists will be stretching their canvases and creative talents across four-kilometres of the bustling heart of Old Strathcona. There are eight blocks of art that you would need all weekend or more to catch.
The Whyte Avenue Art Walk is taking its 20th anniversary in stride as approximately 450 artists will be stretching their canvases and creative talents across four-kilometres of the bustling heart of Old Strathcona. There are eight blocks of art that you would need all weekend or more to catch.
Even though it's situated all the way over on Edmonton's southside, the artists themselves come from all over the metropolitan area and the province, and St. Albert and Sturgeon County are far from excluded. Our area is well represented and many of them commented about being involved in the outdoor spectacle.
“Inspiration overflows during Art Walk on Whyte,” said Kelly Hygaard, a past Sturgeon Composite grad. “Whether it's your first or 20th visit, this year's Art Walk will be a unique experience to 2015.”
Hygaard first learned about the creative forces that spring forth from dynamic sound, energy, light and quantum frequencies.
According to the Facebook page for her art practice called Frequency Theory, she studied how electronic music could affect each of the seven chakras of the human body. Her paintings also speak to something subconscious within her, which she describes as puzzles that she has to interpret after they are done.
“I enjoy what I find, however that is based on my perception and mindset when discovering the meanings afterwards. Each person will experience various visual sensations, unique and often undiscovered within their psyche. These sensations are reflective images of the person's individuality and perspective,” she writes. “Art is a universal language in the realm of psychology and the subconscious, and I want to change the world.”
Art, she continues, is an extension of one's psyche.
“Whether aiding in a release, manifestation or simple reflection of energy, it is constantly changing with the ebb and flow of the mind. I believe creation is an extremely powerful aspect of one's beliefs about themselves and if encouraged and allowed to thrive, can dilute symptoms and struggles caused by mental illness. When a community creates and unveils their raw beauty simultaneously, it can really influence the way others see themselves and their environment in a dramatically positive way.”
She lives her life focusing on a mantra that came to her a few years ago: “The only thing one can expect with no expectations, is the Great Unexpected.”
One thing that attendees can expect without fail is a bounty of beautiful and diverse art. Kenda Butler describes her art as “a full circle recycled art project.” She and her boyfriend, Andrew Burke, use old skateboard decks for their painted creations.
“Once they break from use, I collect them back and sand off the original design and turn them into wall art. That's called gARTbage,” she said, noting that they also custom paint decks for non-art related skateboard use on the streets but those won't be on display during the Art Walk.
It started out as a fun hobby just for friends that turned into an Instagram account. Now, the world of business is her oyster.
“Pretty much all the art that I sell is from custom requests.”
They've only been at this enterprise for a few months but they already have a thriving art and skateboard business through their website at www.zombieminotaur.com. This is only their second exhibition of work after the RAW (Natural Born Artists) event called Splendor that took place at Union Hall only a month ago.
She's excited about the Art Walk experience and the interactions with the public. Participants are encouraged to do live demos of their art so she'll be out there painting a broken deck or two.
“I like to chat with clients and show them what I can do.”
Likewise, Bellerose grad Heather Simonsmeier is excited for the opportunity to show her printmaking gallery, as well as her pencil drawings and paintings, to the world.
This is her second time to the party after a hiatus of a few years.
“I've improved in my professional career since then. 90 per cent of my clientele is from the States,” she said.
She also sells her works through her Etsy shop and on her website at www.heathersimonsmeier.com.
Other participants include Isabella Kuzio, Phil Alain, Madeleine Arnett, Kaytlyne Dewald, Olga Duk, Carmen Gonzalez, Karen Klassen, Crystal Jones, Saeed Hojjatti, Lisa Lindsay, Ilda Labrecque, Denise Lefebvre, Garrett Plummer, Igor Postash, Lorraine Shulba, Willie Wong and Oksana Zhelisko.
This year's event also features a graffiti competition in the Aerosol Arena as well as the creation of a new mural on the Varscona Hotel, courtesy of Edmonton-born artists Layla Folkmann and Lacey Jane.
People can visit www.art-walk.ca to plan out their visits before they head down to Whyte. The open-air exhibit opened yesterday and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow. The grand promenade goes along Whyte (82nd) Ave. from 101 to 108 Streets, branching out to fill green spaces and several street closures too.
