By Vanessa Brazeau
Early September is always a busy time for art in Vancouver, and this week is no exception with SWARM 11 happening September 9th and 10th (Thurs and Fri). Art Galleries throughout Vancouver take cues from the changing seasons, exhibiting new colours and turning over leaves to fresh artists and themes in a city-wide celebration of visual creation. This multi-gallery opening extravaganza contains debaucherous activities evoking as much interest as the works on display. The after-parties are mentioned as tension tamers for heated critiques.

Thursday’s galleries occupy the area of South Main; reaching east past Grunt Gallery to the Great Northern Way and weaving into residential streets to the Western Front. Friday the scene moves to Gastown where the mood feeds off Vancouver’s weekend vibes. Many galleries will be mistaken for new club venues, and most will freak the shit out of bar stars looking for the Blarney Stone.

All the info you need including gallery maps, links to the shows involved, and other events happening in conjunction with SWARM can be inquired at:
www.swarm.paarc.ca

A perfect way to get familiar with the Vancouver art scene, the two-night event is a thought provoking experience of the missions and ideas circulating through a variety of galleries in the city. There’s no charge- which makes SWARM a guilt free way to keep life social while you heal the burns from summer bank statements.