Many will already know 1000 Parker Street as it is one of the largest artist studio buildings in Vancouver. It is a busy place teeming with artists, each one working on a myriad of creative endeavours.
The building was originally opened as a mattress factory in 1914, in the 1980's it became a space that housed a profusion of artists across all four floors, which it still is today. A fascinating place to visit, one can spend a week at Parker Street and still not have seen all of the artists and studios within the building.
Parker Street Studios is at its busiest during the East Side Culture Crawl where hundreds, if not thousands descend upon the building over the course of a fall weekend. Should the mass crowds of the crawl prove daunting... fret not, there is a new event series at Parker Street that my just be the perfect remedy and it is happening a week from today.
The Parker Art Salon: Night Vision will transform the long and large corridors of the third floor at Parker Street into an exhibition hall featuring artworks by 35 artists who have studios in the building. An interactive dialogue between visitors and the artists will occur naturally as everyone will be surrounded by the densely hung works along the hallway walls. By shifting the works out of the studios and into the hallways, the building will redirect the flow of creativity and conversation into the collective veins and arteries of the building. Michael Fitzsimmons, Eve Leader, Dana Johnson, Laurel Swenson, Bruce Russell, Elizabeth Barnes, Pilar Mehlis, Karen Kolland, Cybele Ironside, Carla Tak, Sylvia Oates, Miriam Aroeste and Meredith Aitken are but a small sample of the 35 artists who are participating in the Salon.
Night Vision, an invitation-only reception. Artist Niina Chebry has been a resident of Parker Street for 15 years, she looks forward to this experience as she sees it "Transforming the gritty 3rd floor into an ambient soiree and a magical wonderland for a weekend will give people a unique way of appreciating all that goes on here."
The tradition of the artist Salon dates back several hundred years running through to the present day. Salon's were ways of artists, collectors, and many other creatives to get together to view work, express ideas, explore philosophy and enjoy each other's company. Some salons were political, others more social, Night Vision at Parker Street is first and foremost art focused. Also featured during the event - a selection of smaller works for viewing and acquisition, a portion of the proceeds from sold works will be donated to the Vancouver Food Bank. If you would like to attend Night Vision - contact Miriam Aroeste.
Landmass, 24 x 24", oil on Canvas, Cybele Ironside. Image courtesy of the Artist.
Antrofish School, sculpture by Pilar Mehlis. Courtesy of the artist.
Artwork by Michael Fitzsimmons, image courtesy of the artist.
THE PARKER ART SALON
Over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, from noon to 4pm everyone is welcome to visit all four floors at Parker Street. This event is open to the public. The display of the Night Vision salon hanging will remain up for viewing pleasure on the 3rd floor. During the weekend salon, guests are invited to move freely amongst the Night Vision installation and all of the open studios within the building. This will be an opportunity to strike up conversations with artists in a more in-depth manner and to fully immerse oneself into the creative energy of 1000 Parker Street.
Parker Art Salon - 1000 Parker Street
Night Vision - May 1st from 6-10pm / Salon and Studio Visits - May 2nd & 3rd from 12noon-4pm
In the Salon of Madame Geoffrin in 1755 LEMONNIER, Anicet-Charles-Gabriel French // (b. 1743, Rouen, d. 1824, Paris, 1812, Oil on canvas, Chateau du Malmaison, Rueil
