Feature on Jamie Smith, Local Artist & Revolving Door Participant
I wanted to create a fun art walk that guests could complete in one night, and so ROVE was created! There have been three ROVE nights this year and it is essentially an opening night art tour on Main Street and the surrounding area. Guests grab a map at any of the participating locations and “rove” between 8 venues showcasing local artists while collecting stamps on their maps. By collecting at least four stamps guests can enter in a prize draw at the end of the night. Guests meet talented local artists in person and maybe even take home a new piece of original art! ROVE guarantees an evening of community, art and culture and is a brilliantly unique way to spend a fun night in Vancouver.
It has been really neat to see ROVE grow and develop. There is a core group of “rovers” who have come out to all three events now, which is amazing. I love when people show me their maps all stamped up from each venue. It is so great to have people connect with that much art and wonderful businesses owners in one night.
Rovers can follow the “suggested route” on their free maps to end their art opening tour at the final venue, Meccanica (#102 East 1st Ave @ Quebec Street). My first ROVE I had to rent a space to show my own artwork and it was hard to justify doing another one. During my search for venues I found the Revolving Door Project by Cressey and applied to bring another ROVE to Main Street. I got to display my art in the space and we did a prize draw and end of the night party at Meccanica. I would have never thought I could transform a presentation centre into an art gallery! But it seems to do the trick! Picture above.
Thanks to the savings from using a free venue, we were able to work with the crowd and raise over $460 for Union Gospel Mission.
You can see Jamie Smith’s artwork at www.jamiesmithstudio.com or come by Meccanica and see her work in person!
