It’s kind of like a marriage.
This year the Squamish Arts Festival made the decision to team up with the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association to bring together three much-loved festivals over one weekend.
For the first time, the Squamish Arts Festival, Mural Walk Festival and Open Street Day will be joining forces for The Big Weekend and it runs from July 25 to 27.
That means that while Cleveland Avenue will be shut down to traffic, people will wander from Junction Park, past businesses activating their outdoor spaces, and muralists will be in the midst of creating vibrant works of large-scale art that will be proudly displayed for many years to come.
“All three of these events are wonderful in their own right, but this year we felt they could combine into an arts and culture extravaganza that would bring more exposure to the artists and be an exciting community event,” Squamish Arts executive director Clea Young said.
“We’re very excited to see how all these events come together.”
Arts galore
The Squamish Arts Festival portion of the Big Weekend will be held in Junction Park on July 26, like in years past, but is designed in such a way that visitors can fluidly come and go.
There will be arts and crafts for kids, food trucks and dance parties.
“Throughout the day we’ll have different acts, starting at 10 a.m. Children’s performer Ira Pettle will do a show, there’s some marimba, plus we’ll have about eight to 10 youth performers from the Sarah McLachlan School of Music,” Young said.
“Then we have the Zummers out of Pemberton, who recently won the Battle of the Bands at the Brackendale Art Gallery, and local favourites, the Hair Farmers.”
Kids will be able to get their faces painted, there will be a roaming fairy, and an installation called Sunshine. Workshops will be held out of a little bowler studio, so people can try their hand at using a ceramic wheel.
“There will be lots of things for people to just happen upon and try their hand at,” Young said.
Last year the event attracted approximately 2,000 people, but with the additional infusion of passersby from The Big Weekend, they believe that number could balloon to 3,000 this year.
Mural time
Have you ever seen a mural created right in front of you?
The Downtown Squamish BIA Mural Walk is absolutely free, and gives art aficionados the opportunity to gawk at over 20 large-scale pieces downtown, painted by both local and visiting artists.
But during The Big Weekend, people following the self-guided tour will be able to see the artists in their element, and the murals come to life in real time.
This will be followed by workshops for teens led by professional artists Jessa Gilbert and Alex Fowkes, where participants can try it themselves, with a spray paint mural camp and a floor mural camp being offered.
The camps run from July 7 to 11 and Aug. 5 to 8 at the Foundry Sea to Sky Youth Hub.
“More than mere paintings on walls, these murals instill a profound sense of belonging and pride within our community, while also acting as a powerful deterrent against graffiti and tagging,” reads the Downtown Squamish BIA website.
“As we embellish our neighborhoods, we collectively shape and beautify our surroundings, allowing the true spirit of our town to shine.”
Visitors will see work that honours the land it’s created on.
“We recognize that these magnificent murals are created on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw [Squamish Nation], honouring the Indigenous heritage that enriches our very foundation,” the website reads.
“So, come join us on this inspiring journey, as we uncover the hidden gems of our downtown neighborhood and celebrate the artistry that binds us together.”
Walk the streets
No cars allowed!
During the Big Weekend, the Open Street Day will see the entirety of Cleveland Avenue closed off to traffic—which means lots of space for people to perambulate, shop at their favourite stores, and bask in the vibes hand-in-hand.
“Allowing our local businesses to interact, engage, and re-imagine spaces normally reserved for vehicle traffic and let our residents experience the neighbourhood from a different perspective,” reads the Downtown Squamish BIA website.
“Streets as a public space that put people first hold huge possibilities where people of all ages, abilities, and economic backgrounds can come together.”
There will be a free bike valet set up at Pemberton and Cleveland Avenue from OurSquamish Placemaking Society.
“We encourage you to travel downtown by transit, foot, bike, skateboard, or Scooter!”
Follow @squamishartsfestival and @downtownsquamish to keep on top of all the offerings coming up, and to learn more about the artists involved.
