Queen West Arts Crawl (QWAC)  is an established cultural and artistic hub in Toronto, allowing visitors to see art, buy art, make art and taste art on the weekend of September 23-24, 2017, and this year it once again promises to be an exciting artistic and cultural experience.

The annual two day Outdoor Art Exhibition takes place in Trinity Bellwoods Park  from 11 am to 6 pm. The art and cultural festival features 200 of Canada’s most innovative established and emerging artists. Visitors can purchase art, take in live music by local musicians, or buy sweet or savoury treats from local food vendors and trucks.

Visitors can also enjoy a cold signature Steam Whistle in the Beer Garden while listening to music in the Performance Zone. 2017’s lineup features blues heavyweight Paul Reddick, as well as hot indie and cultural bands from across Ontario. There are also exciting interactive art activities for children in the Kids’ Zone: face painting and theatre, storytelling and dress up provided with the assistance of Blank Canvases’ and Roseneath Theatre. Finally, visitors of all ages can print their own fabric art utilizing car parts at Jeff Mann’s popular Tread on It installation.

Jonathan Brett, QWAC’s Board of Directors Chair, says “We are promoting the LGBT, Native and 2 spirit community, as well as LGBT children’s theatre through our many community partners.” One such event is local drag heroines Fay Slift and Miss Fluffy Soufflé reading to children. These two started this series a couple years back, and it’s been gaining momentum ever since. What kid wouldn’t want a wigged up reading of their favourite story? Check them out at at both 1130 and 130 on Saturday and Sunday in the Kids Zone. Don’t be late, they’ve only been allocated 15 minutes each time. Details here. Brett also stated, “We have Pride Toronto in the festival for our community booths, as well as Roseneath Theatre, which promotes LGBT, Indigenous and and anti-bullying theatre through Ontario schools.

On the same weekend, QWAC is proud to announce Art Around the World, an interactive live art and music showcase happening in several venues along Queen Street West. The theme is multiculturalism and the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary through the eyes of a diverse artist roster. 16 artists will be live painting in 16 venues along Queen Street West. Artists will showcase various cultural backgrounds and what it means to be an artist in Canada. It will also feature an Aboriginal Pavilion with live art, drums and music promoting native culture in Trinity Bellwoods Park. A documentary of the event will be filmed by Jean-Claude LaFond and Phil Pendry.

A program guide will be available on the website, and in print at various locations throughout the city and at the event itself. Updates will also be posted on the Facebook Event Page.

Art Around the World – Various Venues between 797 and 1213 Queen Street West

  • RUSSIA. Lisgar Park. 44 Lisgar St: In partnership with Aangen

  • CHINA. The Theatre Centre. 1115 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • PHILLIPPINES. Poppies. 1094 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • CANADA. Craft Ontario. 1106 Queen St. W: Headquarters of Art Around the World

  • GREECE. Cafe Neon. 1024 Queen St. W: Live painting and music.

  • INDIA. CAMH lawn. 1001 Queen St. W: In conjunction with Creative on Queen, an art fair showcasing the talents of those who live with mental health and addiction challenges and those who work with marginalized communities

  • SPAIN. Carmen Café. 922 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • USA. Toronto Blues Society. 910 Queen St. W: In conjunction with Blues in the Garden

  • AUSTRALIA. The Devil’s Workshop. 890 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • ABORIGINAL. Trinity Bellwoods Park. 790 Queen St. W: Drum circle

  • JAPAN. The Paper Place. 887 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • FRANCE. Nadege Patisserie. 780 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • PORTUGAL. H Bar. 859 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • UNITED KINGDOM. Cutler and Gross. 758 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • POLAND. The Loaded Pierogi. 839 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • ITALY. Terroni. 720 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

  • CARIBBEAN. Mogo Lounge. 797 Queen St. W: Live painting and music

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of QWAC, the event will kick off with a gala at the Ontario Arts and Craft Building on 1106 Queen Street West with cocktails and nibbles (catered by George Street Diner) on Thursday September 21 at 6 pm.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.