Finding Art and Culture Fit for the Gold in Vancouver

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games will soon be underway in Vancouver, British Columbia.  For the sake of the athletes competing, I hope there is a giant snowstorm in the next week or so. The weather has been balmy, rainy and the mountains remain green.  I understand that the city will be trucking in man-made snow so that show can still go on.

While you're waiting for things to cool down in the "Van," be sure to take in some of the public art that has gone up in honor of the Games.  Here are some images of some of the art that has been installed in the downtown corridor.

 This past weekend, I enjoyed a couple of days visiting with friends, including the witty, intelligent Vancouver artist Jennifer Mawby of Vantage Art Projects.  Jen and I spent some time at East Vancouver's hip little bar and cheese joint Au Petit Chavignol.  Since I was a poutine virgin, Jen insisted that I try this Canadian delicacy.  It was actually pretty tasty.  How can you go wrong with handcut French fries slathered in gravy, cheese curd and peppercorns. I washed it down with a nice sparkling white wine infused with cassis berry liqueur.  Add to that a hot "just gay enough" bohemian waiter and you have the perfect sleepy, rainy night in the Van!

Another treat was getting to see a colleague of mine Carolynn Faulkner of the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver. The Inuit is internationally recognized for the high quality First Peoples' art that it carries. Carolynn took the time to talk to me about one of Joe David's glass pieces. Watch a brief video here:

 Joe, who is a Nuu-chah-nulth artist, is a contemporary of Preston Singletary.  If you spend any time in Santa Fe, you will know Preston's work from the Blue Rain Gallery and his collaborations with Blue Rain owner Tammy Garcia.  The Inuit Gallery is not to be missed if you happen to be in the Vancouver area during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. 

During the Olympics the Inuit Gallery of Vancouver will host the renowned Cape Dorset artist Toonoo Sharky. Sharky's carvings are transformational in nature, with an emphasis on spirit figures. The artist will be in the gallery Thursday, Feb. 11, 12 and 13 between 1 and 3 pm each day. Be sure to check it out!