I’m ready to go, so let’s find art walks!
Okay, now that you have your tent, grid wall, and all the gear you need to showcase your art, where do you find art walks in Alberta? Our research shows that most art walks are in the Edmonton region, but that could change in the coming years.
The Paint Spot produced the Whyte Avenue Art Walk for 27 years, beginning in 1995 with 35 artists scattered along Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue shopping and entertainment district. It has grown to 400+ artists and inspires 40,000+ visitors each year – there is an artist and a price range for everyone. It’s been essential to us that this event be about visual arts and remain accessible to both emerging and established artists. This event is also about creating dialogue and building relationships, which is why we encourage artists to make art on-site, creating a rare opportunity for patrons to engage in discussion about inspiration, processes, and materials. Whyte Avenue Art Walk is Alberta’s oldest and largest art walk and has inspired other communities to showcase their artists.
What is an art walk?
For the purposes of this post, an art walk brings together a number of artists in one location, generally outdoors, for a prescribed period of time. We recognize that many communities host events that include craft and art, however, we’re focusing primarily on visual art festivals/events in Alberta, and helping you find them. There are some gorgeous gallery strolls scattered throughout the province that are described as art walks, however, from an artist’s point of view, participation requires artists to have developed a relationship with a gallery, making them less accessible to emerging artists and new art lovers and collectors. Gallery strolls often have binding themes, like Southern Alberta’s “The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta“, Calgary’s Art Walk, or Edmonton’s gallery stroll that focuses on the 124 St. district. They are wonderful, but they are generally for established artists.
So, by date, where are these art walks?
Art Walk St. Albert
When: First Thursday May-Sept., 6 pm – 8:30 pm
When did it begin: 20+ years
Cost to participate in 2022: $25 per night, or $75 for all five nights
Number of participants: 25 (average)
Artist commitment: Artists can register to participate for one or more Thursdays
Eligible mediums: All artist mediums and experience levels are welcome
Number of visitors: 500-700 per night (weather dependant)
Website: https://www.artwalkstalbert.com/
Art in the Park – Cochrane
Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery/Glenbow Ranch Foundation
When: Second weekend in May, 9 am – 5 pm
When did it begin:
Cost to participate in 2022: $20
Number of participants:
Artist commitment:
Eligible mediums: local artists & photographers
Number of visitors:
Website: https://route22gallery.com/event/art-in-the-park/2022-05-14/
NOTE: This is a new event whose organizers are planning for 2023.
Whyte Avenue Art Walk
When: second weekend of July, Friday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm daily
When did it begin: 1995
Cost to participate in 2022: Table $100, Tent $200
Number of participants: 400+ daily
Artist commitment: Three days
Eligible mediums: Uncurated visual art (and a limited number of photographers)
Number of visitors: 40,000+
Website: https://art-walk.ca/
Leduc Art Walk
When: July TBA, 11 am – 6 pm
When did it begin: 2017
Cost to participate in 2022: $100, $70/seniors, and $40/youth
Number of participants: 85-100
Artist commitment: One day
Eligible mediums: Locally handcrafted goods, including (but not limited to): painting and drawing, sculpture, mixed media, photography, pottery, fibre arts, handcrafted jewelry, metal works, wood works, and glass work
Number of visitors: 10,000 est.
Website: https://www.artsfoundry.ca/leduc-art-walk-2022
Art in the Park Art Walk – Strathcona County/Sherwood Park
When: July, Fourth weekend of July, 9 am – 5 pm
When did it begin: 2022 in conjunction with Sherwood Park Highland Gathering
Cost to participate in 2022: $50/2 days
Number of participants: 28-35
Artist commitment: Two days
Eligible mediums: Curated original art
Number of visitors: 5,000
Website: (Watch Facebook for a dedicated page in the future)
Beaumont Art Walk
When: Second Saturday in August, 11 am – 7 pm
When did it begin: 2022
Cost to participate in 2022: $75
Number of participants: 60+
Artist commitment: One day
Eligible mediums: Original visual art, pottery, fibre art, crafters
Number of visitors: 1,500-2,000
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistsAssociationBeaumont/
Wabamun MainStreet Art Walk
When: Third Saturday in August, 11 am – 7 pm
When did it begin: 2015
Cost to participate in 2022: $50
Number of participants: 32
Artist commitment: One day
Eligible mediums: Curated original art
Number of visitors: 1,000-1,200
Website: https://www.facebook.com/WabamunArts
Strathearn Art Walk
When: second weekend of September, Saturday/Sunday, 12 pm – 7 pm daily
When did it begin: 10+ years
Cost to participate in 2022: $75/day
Number of participants: 300+ (175 daily)
Artist commitment: Artists can register to participate for one or two days
Eligible mediums: Visual art, jewelry, photography, sculpture, fabric art – non-curated family-friendly art
Number of visitors: 25,000+
Website: https://strathearnartwalk.com/
If your community hosts an art walk in Alberta, or you are an artist who knows of one that isn’t listed, we’d love to hear about it! Email us at: info@paintspot.ca
Are you looking for other places to show your art? Read our blog post “Where Can I Show My Art” to explore the possibilities.
_________________________
Kim Fjordbotten: The Paint Spot owner Kim Fjordbotten is passionate about helping artists use materials and make art. She is available as a speaker and educator for teachers and art associations. The Paint Spot offers exhibitions, classes, and beautiful art materials to inspire
your creativity.
Did you appreciate this information? Did it help you find art walks in Alberta? You can help us by purchasing your art supplies from The Paint Spot. We appreciate your business, which helps us keep making these free educational posts. Thank you.