Local artists take a walk on Whyte

What once had an inauspicious beginning has now grown to take over one of Edmonton’s busiest shopping districts for an entire weekend in the prime of summer.

The Whyte Avenue Art Walk is now on for its 17th season. More than 350 artists have set up their tables and their works along 14 city blocks centred around the main strip of Old Strathcona.

Organizer Kim Fjordbotten still remembers that first time back in 1996 when all she wanted was to give a few struggling artists a bit of public profile.

“We started out with 35 friends and a few fellow merchants that would put artists out in front of their stores,” said the owner and president of The Paint Spot, or, as she calls it, “the inventor and the champion and the major sponsor” of the Walk. “It’s our baby,” she exclaimed.

“I think our goal at that time was, ‘Boy! Let’s get to 100!’ We were at that by about year five. It’s just been growing astronomically.”

Now the cultural extravaganza finds itself approaching four times that figure, setting records every year. And that’s just for the participants. Trying to count the pedestrians and passersby would be nigh impossible.

Among that crowd of creative painters, photographers, sculptors, sketchers and other craftspeople and artists on the scene will be a fair sampling of local talents. This list includes Leslie West and Ruth-Ellen Dowhan of Legal, Kaytlyne Dewald of Morinville, and Eryn Thorsley, Olga Duk, Marina Bazos, Kelly Ritchie, Leslie Jones and Kristin Anderson of St. Albert.

This won’t be Anderson’s first time as one of many on the bill. Knowing that being public isn’t always easy for some quiet, introspective artists, she had a few tips to pass along.

Build an inventory but keep things portable because the artwork gets transported a lot over the weekend, she said, and be prepared for the weather.

“Plastic bags or drop cloths can be helpful when it rains. Duct tape and weights help anchor things down when it’s windy,” she stated in a written message.

She added that business cards are important, but even more so is to establish connections with the people.

“Be prepared to talk about your art. What medium do you use? What inspired this piece? How did you become an artist? A simple way to start a conversation with viewers is to ask them if they have any questions for you.”

Jessica Thiessen, the former outreach assistant and exhibition installer at the Art Gallery of St. Albert is another participant, as is Edmonton’s Sharon Malayko who last exhibited at that gallery back in April 2008.

Malayko has a little bit more experience than Anderson, but hesitates to go so far as to call herself a seasoned veteran. She’s looking forward to her fourth venture this weekend.

“It was word of mouth through other people that got me started in it with someone that I worked with, and I’ve been going ever since!” she exclaimed. “I have quite a bit of success there so I might as well keep going back.”

She absolutely agrees with Anderson: to do the Walk you’d better talk the talk.

“It’s a really good connection point for artists. I’ve gotten other contacts through it. I’ve gotten other offers to participate in other shows and cafĂ©s. I think it’s just making connections with people. They can’t see your work unless it’s out there. I still have people contacting me from two years ago.”

Malayko ended by saying that the Whyte Ave. crowd is usually very interested and open to chatting with artists about art.

“It’s a great experience.”

Fjordbotten sees this as one of many signs of the event’s success. She mentioned that there will always be new artists coming on board but there are still some who have been participating for all 17 years.

As a launching pad, it even helped at least one artist move on to start her own gallery. Karen Bishop started the Daffodil Gallery at 10412 124 Street last year, a collaboration with partner Rick Rogers, an established St. Albert painter.

That gallery will again host a holdover show, this time featuring People’s Choices. Visitors to the art walk can vote via Twitter or email. The artist who gets the most votes will be showcased at the Daffodil from Saturday, July 21 to Tuesday, July 31. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, July 26 from 5 to 8 p.m.

While Bishop is busy with this new venture, she maintains her artistic presence with a booth at the Whyte Avenue Art Walk. Fjordbotten is thrilled to see old friends move up in the world.

“I’m always excited to see this many artists because it’s exposure for them. My goal is that eventually they get too good to be out at the art walk,” she said.