In a previous article I wrote about how the
Vancouver city region is struggling to define itself economically – is
it a port city? Is it a resort city? Or can the future be built on savvy
tech entrepreneurs? Last week I got a glimpse of one part of the economy
which generates less headlines but could be as important to the city over the coming years. I undertook the Eastside Cultural Crawl which does
exactly what is says on the tin. Beginning in 1997 the crawl is an
opportunity for artists, craftspeople and designers to increase their
visibility through a series of coordinated events and programmes.
Mostly it just involves studios being opened up to allow the general
public a better idea of what is being produced in the Strachcona
neighborhood. I was hugely impressed with both the turnout (not
everybody enjoys walking around an industrial estate on a freezing
weekend) and, more importantly, the quality of the products on sale.
With my eye on a new coffee table I was particularly impressed with the
carpenters and would recommend the work of Enrico Konig as a start (see here).
