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Take a walk in the arts

Third annual ArtWalk stages local talent in businesses throughout Whistler

What: ArtWalk Opening

When: Friday, June 30

Where: Various Whistler businesses

Admission: Free

Whistler houses no gallery dedicated to local artists, so Whistler Arts Council officials came up with an alternative, turning blank walls of local businesses into makeshift art galleries.

"The event is about integrating artists into local businesses and the community," said Kelly Clarke, events manager at the Whistler Arts Council. "It gives the opportunity for local artists, artisans and photographers to be featured."

The third annual ArtWalk returns to Whistler bigger than ever with more than 35 local artists splashing their talents throughout 27 different businesses in Whistler Village and the Upper Village for the month of July.

The artist celebration kicks off with reception parties at each of the host galleries June 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

ArtWalk connects artists with businesses, showcasing various visual art and craft pieces in businesses around town, including art galleries, coffee shops, retail stores, restaurants and hotels.

Just follow the red and black balloons and roaming street entertainers to check out the free kick-off event next Friday with many of the artists on site. MY Millennium Place will also host a special gallery, ArtWalk Eclectica, showcasing multiple artists.

"It’s a great night to meet other people in the community," Clarke said. "People can sit and chat with the artists and it’s great for visitors to integrate into our community and see this side of us."

Last year’s event was so successful Whistler Arts Council officials needed to run a second print of the ArtWalk brochures, which map out the different artists and businesses participating. In total 7,000 brochures were distributed from Pemberton to Vancouver.

"It was an incredible turnout for us," Clarke said. "Venues were running out of brochures. The popularity of the event has really grown."

Check out the talent of Penny Martyn at Adele Campbell Gallery; Theresa Mura at Amos & Andes; Vincent Massey at Aprés Restaurant; John Hewson at Behind the Grind; Barry Wilson at Black Tusk Gallery; Dave Petko, Greg Eymundson and Adina Gwatkin at Blenz; Jen Ingram at Citta Bistro; Daniel Poisson and Wim Tewinkle at Cyber Web Internet Café; Joan Baron at The Daily Planet; Oli Roy and Ian Roberston at Esquire Coffee House; Borgi Rayen, Duane Perret, Sarha Holt and Creagh Hawthorne at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler; Lindsay McLennan at Farfalla; Cary Lopes at Gone Bakery & Soup Co.; Ian Robertson at Hilton Whistler Resort; John Hewson at Hotbox Coffee & Internet; Sarah Stevenson at Activity Central; Tasscha Lico at Lotus Art Supplies; Erin Sieber at Merlin’s; Josee St. Amour at Moguls Coffee House; Lianne and Lillian Gulka at Mountain Galleries; Pat Griffiths at Mountain Moments Gallery; Lynn Pocklington at The Path Gallery; Greg Eymundson at Remax; Tess Klein at Ruby Tuesday; Vanessa Stark at Westbeach; Mark Richards and Joan Baron at Whistler Real Estate; and Evan Biswanger, Jill Brown, Marie France Cournoyer, Ann Hurst, Sharon Jensen, Eva Konyari, Karen Love, Samantha Mason, Kathryn Brimacombe, Stan Matwychuck and Julia Vagelatos at MY Millennium Place.

Brochures are available June 30 at all venues including the Whistler Arts Council, MY Millennium Place, and Whistler Activity and Information Centres.