With a number of Downtown Sudbury studios, galleries and businesses regularly displaying artwork, it's the perfect place for an art crawl, said artist Elizabeth Holmes.
On March 20, a number of venues with art on display will be open to the public from 5-8 p.m. for the the first ever Downtown Sudbury Art Crawl. The event is free to the public.
After the event finishes, everyone is invited to gather at the Fromagerie Elgin to socialize.
Art crawls have become popular in many Ontario cities in recent years, said Holmes, the owner of North Forte Studio Gallery on Durham Street.
She's also noticed that people have been setting up their own informal art crawls in the city's downtown, getting together with friends to visit several galleries in one day.
“It's efficient,” Holmes said. “If they're coming downtown, they're not going to come downtown for a visit to one place. They're working up a little tour for themselves.”
The art crawl just formalizes what Holmes said she's always known about downtown: it's a rich cultural hub.
Not only is the work of artists hung in many downtown venues, the city's core, with its rich architecture and diverse people, acts as inspiration for many artists, Holmes said.
North Forte is one of 14 venues that will be open to the public during the art crawl. It's currently displaying an exhibition called, “Father, père and Pater,” by artist Ron Langin.
The exhibition, which runs until April 26, features photos and paintings by Langin, all with a “father” theme, including biological and spiritual fathers.
One of the pieces on display is a painting of Langin's own father, Michael Langin, who passed away 10 years ago at age 84.
“This is a memorial to his life and our relationship,” Langin said.
He's also painted pictures of Roman Catholic priests and the fathers of famous artists, and photographed carvings of Jesus on the cross in the south of France.
Another art crawl participant is Cambrian College's Open Studio on Cedar Street, where people can view the studio's Mail Art exhibit until April 5.
It features art that can be sent through the mail, including postcards, rubber stamp art, drawings and collages. Everything that is sent in is displayed.
“We've been getting things from all over the world,” said Open Studio technician Leesa Bringas, adding she's accepting mail art right up until the show closes.
She said she's looking forward to the art crawl. “I think it's going to be an exciting kickoff to spring,” Bringas said.
Downtown Sudbury Art Crawl, 5-8 p.m. March 20
Locations:
1. Art Gallery of Sudbury, 251 John St.
2. Laughing Buddha, 194 Elgin St.
3. Black Apple Tattoo, 178 Elgin St.
4. Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, 174 Elgin St.
5. Artists on Elgin, 168 Elgin St.
6. Cafe Petit Gateau, 149 Durham St.
7. North Forte Studio and Gallery, 122 Durham St.
8. Old Rock/Bertolo's, 93 Durham St.
9. Fromagerie Elgin, 5 Cedar St.
10. Laurentian Architecture, 85 Elm St.
11. Let's Scrabbalatte, 66 Elm St.
12. Open Studio, 93 Cedar St. 3rd floor
13. Studio 276, 276 Cedar St.
14. Myths and Mirrors, 139 Durham St.
