Recently there have been a growing number of events geared to overcoming this type of perception of the visual arts. Studio tours, and similar events, encourage members of the general public to come into contact with real live artists in their natural habitat. Since practicing artists generally tend to create their works in more or less private venues, with the audience only seeing the finished result in other venues at a later date, there is even greater mystery of the "how do they do that?" sort.

The Eastside Culture Crawl to the fore! This vibrant event on November 21st - 23rd, brings together the general public and the artists living in their midst in an unforgettable atmosphere of excitement.

This is the event for anyone who likes their art lively, fresh, up-close and personal. It is big. It is exciting. It is free. It is stimulating. It lasts three days, but you may not.

You can do a little bit of the Crawl or a lot, but doing it all will take a lot of doing.

The Crawl started in 1997 with 45 participating artists in the Strathcona area of Vancouver. Now it has grown to include 250 artists located in 29 buildings scattered over an area that extends from Main Street on one side to Commercial Drive on the other, and from the waterfront to East 1st Avenue.

Put on your walking shoes. Open your eyes, ears and mind. Be prepared to be amazed.

Participants in the event range from individual artists to artist collectives, from professional artists and craftsmen in public studios or private live/work studios to non-profit community service groups, and from emerging artists to famous artists. There will be painters, jewelers, mixed media artists, sculptors, furniture makers, musicians, textile artists, potters, writers, printmakers, photographers, glassblowers and more!

You will have the opportunity to meet all these artists on their own turf. Works will be for sale in the various venues. Find out about the artists in your community; how and where they work; the materials and techniques they use. Immerse yourself in colour, form, design, imagination.

This is an event where there is truly something to interest everyone. Whether you want to look at art, buy art, furnish your home, decorate yourself, explore the neighbourhood, socialize and simply enjoy the day(s), you will not be disappointed.

The Strathcona Community Centre will host an Information and Arts Centre where there will be an information booth, maps, and lists of participants. On the opening night of November 21st the Crawl runs from 5-10 pm and on the 22nd and 23rd the hours are 11 am - 6 pm. For further details call 604-878-8434, or visit www.culturecrawl.bc.ca