The Vancouver Island Visual Arts Society (VIVAS) is launching its inaugural Art Crawl on April 18, 2026, opening over 100 artist studios and five galleries to the public. The event spans two major creative hubs in Victoria: the established arts center at 780 Blanshard Street and the newly opened Hourglass location on Yates Street. Visitors can access exhibitions at venues including Rockslide Gallery and The Vault Gallery, alongside live music and performance art.
This event highlights the critical role of non-profit organizations in maintaining affordable creative infrastructure within urban centers. By showcasing Victoria’s largest visual arts hub and its recent expansion, the crawl demonstrates a successful model for providing sustainable workspace for nearly 100 artists, fostering community engagement and ensuring that local creators are not priced out of the city's downtown core.