What: Brave Art
When: April 15-22
Where: Telus Conference Centre
Admission: Free
Brave Locals is the newest addition to the Telus World Ski and Snowboard Festival, cozying up local artists, filmmakers and photographers alongside the international exhibitors of Brave Art.
Whistler’s usual environment-driven art fare is passed up in both exhibits, instead showcasing the cutting-edge dramatics of urban street art, ranging from skate-deck canvases to graphics and graffiti.
More than 30 imaginative minds hit the wall at the Brave Locals opening Monday, April 17 at 8 p.m. at the Telus Conference Centre.
"Some of (the local artists) have rarely shown their work for public eyes to see," said Kate Power, artist and Brave Locals curator.
"An emergence of new Whistler talent has formed and with opportunities like these, they will only gain strength."
From acrylics to pen and ink, mountain dwellers venture out of bounds with innovative works, including Justin Ormiston, Lauren "The Pawn" Ritz, Dave "Pepe" Petko, Lauren Javor, Stevon Hunter, Kate Power, Josee St. Amour, Crispin Cannon, Caitlin Butcher, Angela Teng and Vanessa Stark.
Photographers and filmmakers also take to the walls, including images from Arne Gutmann, Jeremy Bekken, Dagan Beach, Xandra Grayson, Crispin Cannon, Tim Okane, John Hewson, Blake Jorgenson, Wendy D and Lauren Graham.
"We have a strong visual journey compiled by some of Whistler’s most prolific photographers, married with short cuts from filmmakers," Power said.
Art for the ears will spin out with local turntable legends on deck: international-scratch-wizard Mat the Alien, all-about-45s Vinyl Ritchie, Ace-card Foxy Moron and funked-up Russtafari. There will also be live music from Dagan and Jessica Beach as well as live painting from Justin Ormiston.
Surrounded by inspiration, organizers have given the public their own creative outlet with a Collective Mural Project inviting everyone to put paint to canvas.
Brave Locals shows April 17 to 19 within the Brave Art showcase, which runs from April 15 to 22. Doors open at noon and run until the late-night hours.
Doubling in size this year, Brave Art boasts street and graffiti legends such as Shepard Fairey, Stash and Doze Green, Kinsey, Dalek, Mars 1, Bigfoot 1, Mr. Jabo, SheOne and Dr. Revolt. Most of these artists are more likely to have their work shown in places such as New York and London, rather than a B.C. mountain town.
Previously limited to Canadian and American works, this year’s Brave Art will include art from London, Berlin, Helsinki and Mexico City, along with North American hot spots New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
Art comes to life with eight artists painting and spray-painting live at the opening party Saturday, April 15 at 8 p.m. at the conference centre.
Another new Brave-Art addition, a live slideshow by artist Ricky Powell, will showcase hip hop/street culture images of stars including the likes of LL Cool J and Flava Flav April 20 at 8 p.m. at the conference centre. The official photographer for the Beastie Boys is dialed into everything New York, hustling pictures, tall tales and humour for the evening.
Check out samples of the Brave Art exhibit at www.braveartwhistler.com.
Admission and opening parties are free.
