WINTER ARTS festival TRANSFORMS DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER INTO AN OPEN-AIR GALLERY AND CELEBRATION OF ART FROM FEBRUARY 11-27
January 20, 2022 (Vancouver, BC) - Discover a free outdoor celebration across Downtown Vancouver this winter. From February 11-27, 2022, VMF Winter Arts transforms the city’s downtown core into an interactive, open-air gallery and celebration of art and live entertainment. Produced by VMF (the team behind Vancouver Mural Festival) and presented by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, the second annual event brings together augmented reality (AR) art, light installations, and live performances to brighten the city and safely connect communities outside.
#GlitchGoddess by artist Marjan Moghaddam at Bentall Centre for VMF Winter Arts
VMF Winter Arts was created in 2021 amidst a pandemic. As it celebrates its second year, physical safety and mental well-being remains at the forefront. The event is designed to inspire joy and creativity, connect communities, encourage outdoor activity, and support local businesses and artists, while enabling social distancing and a safe, welcoming outdoor space for all.
Over 17 days, free public art and entertainment can be discovered along the VMF Winter Arts route from Canada Place, along Burrard to Bentall Centre and Park Place, to the Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Public Library Square, and Yaletown; plus BC Place and Science World.
At the centre of it all will be the Winter Arts Hub, located at šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. A new addition to the festival this year, the Winter Arts Hub will be a central, welcoming outdoor space—covered yet heated and airy—for all to safely gather to enjoy food, drinks, art, and free live performances.
VMF is committed to showcasing and supporting underrepresented and marginalized communities and artists. Diversity and inclusivity are at the core of VMF’s values and are reflected in the strong BIPOC and LGBTQIAS+ representation across VMF Winter Arts’ visual and performance artist line-up.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT VMF WINTER ARTS:
ART: AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) AND LIGHT INSTALLATIONS
Local and international artists will activate 8 locations across downtown Vancouver with interactive AR and light installations.
Locations - Various: Canada Place, šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza), Bentall Centre, Park Place, Vancouver Public Library, Yaletown, BC Place, Science World.
Cost: Free
AR Artists: Chase Gray (Musqueam/Tsimshian) / Chrissy Brimmage (USA) / Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun (Snuneymuxw) / Heather Dunaway Smith (USA) / Jaad Kuujus (Haida/Kwakwaka'wakw) / Jellyburger (Norway) / JQ Sirls (USA) / Katrina Iosia (NZ/Niuean) / Marjan Moghaddam (USA) / Ocean Hyland (Tsleil-Waututh) / ONESIAN (NZ/Maori/Samoan) / Tafui (JAM/CAN)
Curators: Julia Bruk; IM4 Lab
WINTER ARTS HUB
Eat, drink and be entertained at the Winter Arts Hub, a free, all-ages, licensed plaza featuring art installations, a live performance stage, plus a heated and covered outdoor space with
a pop-up bar and food trucks. Weekend family fun, after-work happy hour, post-shopping break or pre-dinner drinks, the Winter Arts Hub is designed as a safe, inclusive space for all.
Location: šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Dates/Hours: Daily; Bar/Stage open Wed/Thur/Family Day: 4-9PM, Fri/Sat/Sun: 4-10PM
Hub Highlights:
Free, all ages live entertainment: live music, DJs, drag shows, and dance performances; plus, Cirque du Soleil VR and live performances by CircusWest; Public Disco Saturdays; Winter Arts Closing Night co-presented with Vancouver Pride Society.
Licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks, plus rotating food trucks.
Art: AR and light installations, including Pixel Moments AR and Dynamic Diasporas.
BLANKETING THE CITY: LIGHTING THE WAY
The evolution of Blanketing The City—a public art series and Reconciliation process—designed by acclaimed xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) weaver and graphic designer Debra Sparrow in collaboration with VMF. This new project lights up iconic landmarks with Coast Salish weaving patterns, colours and stories.
Date: Daily, various times
Locations: Canada Place, BC Place, Science World, Yaletown (Bill Curtis Square)
Cost: Free
WALKING TOURS presented by Herschel Supply
Join DeTours for guided walking tours across downtown Vancouver to discover and learn about VMF Winter Arts. Register online
Date: Daily
Location: Downtown Vancouver
Cost: By Donation
*For self-guided tours, download the free VMF App to find all the festival art locations, learn about the artists, and explore at your own pace (festival details available in the app, Feb.11-27).
TALK SERIES: Empathy in the Digital Space
presented by Electronic Arts and hosted by the Vancouver Public Library. Registration and additional details will be available online soon.
Date: TBD
Location: Online
Cost: Free
DYNAMIC DIASPORAS
Visual storytelling and dance project by Doaa Magdy. The project highlights BC’s Black history by bringing archives to life and through dance on stage. Community Partner: BC Black History Awareness Society.
Date: Art installation: daily; Dance performance: Feb.27
Location: Winter Arts Hub at šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square
Cost: Free
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
VR sneak peek of Alegría by Cirque du Soleil, plus special live performances by CircusWest.
Date: Various dates and times
Locations: Winter Arts Hub at šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square and Bentall Centre
Cost: Free
PIXEL MOMENTS
Interactive AR mural by Pixel Moments in support of St. Paul’s Foundation to raise awareness and funds for mental health resources. Mural designed by trans-Indigiqueer or 2 Spirit xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) and Tsimshian artist, Chase Gray.
Date: Daily
Location: Winter Arts Hub at šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square
POP-UP PRIDE
Winter Arts Closing Night co-presented with Vancouver Pride Society.
Date: Feb.27
Location: Winter Arts Hub at šxwƛ ̓ ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square
Cost: Free
“The past two years have highlighted the positive impact of public art and public space on community
well-being—individually, collectively and economically. As we begin a new year, VMF remains committed
to continually reimagining how we safely bring communities together through public art and experiences.
We hope this year’s VMF Winter Arts will bring light to our city in February and beyond.”
— Andrea Curtis, VMF Executive Director
Follow @winterartfest on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for the latest updates.
VMF Winter Arts is fully compliant with BC Health regulations. Event details are subject to change in accordance with new updates.
