In the summer of 1995, 35 artists came together to paint and display their work on the side of Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona, inspired by the artsy and bohemian feel of the Left Bank in Paris. Works were displayed on TV stands, small tables — really anything they could use to prop up their paintings for passersby.
It caught the attention of the community — curious yet mildly skeptical of the grassroots exhibit taking shape on the sidewalk. But since its inaugural event all those years ago, the Whyte Avenue Art Walk has blossomed into one of Edmonton’s most highly anticipated summer events.
Founded by David Bradley, then-owner of The Paint Spot, and Tim Nolt of the Old Strathcona Foundation, the Whyte Avenue Art Walk celebrates its 30th anniversary on July 11th to 13th. Since its humble beginnings outside the farmer’s market, the festival has grown into a massive weekend-long art market with more than 400 artists taking over 17 blocks and drawing tens of thousands of people with paintings, photographs, ceramics and more.
According to Jill Roszell, producer for Activate Arts Alberta, which took over the festival in 2021, it’s a blend of emerging and long-standing talent that keeps the festival fresh and exciting every year.
“You get to see the artists creating — we have painters, sculptors, and so much more. There’s truly a piece of work for everyone,” she says. “It’s a giant outdoor gallery, with a huge variety of styles and price points.” You’ll find the former in Dr. Wilbert Mcintyre Park — artists like Ian Sheldon and Lori Frank — while more than 70 first-timers can be found throughout the festival grounds.
Since artists must pack up their inventory at the end of each day during the festival, large sculptural works have always been absent from the festival. However, for the first time, the Sculptors Association of Alberta will display showcase pieces inside the Varscona Theatre lobby. Outside the theatre, representatives from Activate Arts will be busy creating an anniversary-themed sand sculpture.
Edmonton’s cold climate makes it a great place for ice sculptors to develop their craft, but sand sculpting isn’t exactly a local specialty. Since Activate Arts also runs the Chiseled International Ice Carving competition each winter, it’s now blending its organizational programs by teaming up with renowned sand sculptor Peter Vogelaar to help local snow artists try their hand at a new medium.
“He’s literally teaching a team of snow sculptors how to use sand,” Roszell says.
“It really is a giant outdoor gallery and a lovely afternoon on Whyte Avenue that makes for a great walk.”
