Drift Along Main Street at 6th Annual Art Walk and Studio Tour

Credit: Flickr / Jenn Laidlaw

Grace Gallery Vancouver Main Street

Art at Main Street’s Grace Gallery

85+ artists open their studios for a weekend of free, self-guided walking tours showcasing local Vancouver talent at Main Street’s 6th annual Drift: Art Walk and Open Studio Tour

When I travel, I often seek out walking tours or maps of self-guided tours as a way of experiencing a certain aspect of culture from the sidewalks and doorways of whichever city I am visiting. I’ve been on and created my own walking tours of WWII history in Berlin, tapas in Barcelona and literature in Greenwich Village. What excites me is the ability to go at my own pace, peer into dark corners, trip over roots as I gaze at things overhead and engage with like-minded people.

But really, one doesn’t have to go to New York or Spain to find a great walking tour. This weekend, the Main Art Drift Society is making it easier than ever to enjoy a self-guided walking tour in our own backyard–Vancouver’s popular Main Street. The theme? Local artists! 

Self-guided Drift art tour

In a celebration of the Mount Pleasant and South Main neighbourhoods, more than 65 shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants along Main Street between Industrial Ave and 33rd host more than 85 established and emerging artists and their work for the annual weekend-long art party Drift: Art Walk and Open Studio Tour.

Print off the Drift 2010 Map [PDF] highlighting participating “venues” and the artists they will be hosting, and use it as your guide as you drift up and down Main Street perusing the paintings, drawings, mixed media, clay, film, textiles, photography, glass, fashion and all sorts of other goodies.

Recognizing that the art tour covers a lot of ground, the organizers have rounded up some culinary hosts to offer special Drift coffee, tasting menus, afternoon tea or quick snacks to refresh and reenergize throughout the designated area. Look for the “Drift Special” sign in participating food and drinks joints along the way.

Friday evening launch event

In the off chance that you are still looking for something to do this Friday, October 1, an artsy kick-off event takes place at 7 p.m. at the brand new Creekside Community Centre, at 1 Athlete’s Way in the Olympic Village. Meet some of the artists, preview the masterpieces you will find along the art walk and possibly win some handcrafted prizes.

You can tell a lot about a city by its artists. What do our artists tell us about Vancouver? We’d love to hear your thoughts!