Artists in Our Midst is an organization of artists dedicated to promoting the visual arts by creating a network of artist who create exhibitions and other events on the west side of Vancouver, B.C. It is a grassroots organization run by the participating artists. It is the first of such groups in Vancouver.

Every spring, Artists in Our Midst hosts an Art Walk of artist venues and studios that are open to the public. The event begins with Jump Start, an opening night preview exhibition of new works by participating artists, followed by a two-day Art Walk. This popular and well attended community event is an opportunity to meet local artists and other art patrons.

Our History

For 18 years, artists living in west side communities have been showing their work to the public each spring.

At the end of January 1993, inspired by the huge open studio event, ‘Le génie de la Bastille,’ in Paris, artists Pnina Granirer and Anne Adams put out a call to artists living in their community to participate in a weekend of open studios.Thus Artists in our Midst.(AIOM) came into being.

The first year, 30 artists signed up, and as word spread, numbers grew. Local merchants supported AIOM by displaying art works in their windows to promote the event. Artists were commissioned to design street banners. Local media contributed to the prominence of the event. Its success encouraged other artist groups in and around the city to follow suit. We formed a community partnership with Lord Byng Fine Arts Mini School, where local artists participated in and supported some of the school’s program and worked as artists in residence.

Seventeen years later, the formula was due for a change. AIOM became a non profit organization. Through a transparent selection process, we intend to attract more professional artists. By allowing artists from all West Side communities to participate, we enlarged our territory and chose the Roundhouse as the venue for the opening night. Every year, we publish a catalogue.

As a result, AIOM is developing into a year-round artist organization that coordinates, facilitates and promotes art events. Our website is maintained throughout the year so members of the public can contact artists.

AIOM is committed to sharing resources, talent and good work, as well as giving something back to the neighbourhood, not in the least by direct and friendly contact between artists and their communities. Over the years, our list of sponsors, supporters and volunteers has grown steadily. We are grateful for the generosity of all the merchants and our local media who help us to advertise our events. This support has been crucial in building a West Side community that appreciates the arts, a community that will continue to grow together with the artists in its midst.