Out in the World - Joanne Probyn Art

Gallery Curated into Artsy

I’m thrilled to announce that my work, Pink, was curated into an Artsy! My work was selected through Artist Alliance by Jen Tough Gallery!

Artsy began in 2009 and has become the most prestigious online art marketplace. With over one million artworks for sale by over 4,000 galleries they offer a huge selection of work. Despite the large numbers, this US-based, global platform is exclusive.

Artsy carved out a spot a the top implementing layers of qualification. Individual artists are not accepted; artists need gallery representation. This means, there’s pre-qualifying going on at the back end. Galleries also apply to be accepted.

It’s a beautiful show that I’m honoured to be part of. I hope you’ll check out the online exhibition.

Let me know what you think!

Taking Shape: Abstraction to Figuration

by Jen Tough Gallery’s Artist Alliance

March 15 – June 15, 2023

* Source

Pink by Joanne Probyn. 14″ x 11″. Acrylic on Canvas. Inquire for more information.

Creative Mornings Vancouver Fosters Community with First Saturdays

Firstly, I’m a huge fan of Creative Mornings Vancouver (CMV), produced and hosted by Mark Busse. This exciting monthly, morning talk at SFU Woodwards is a great place to reconnect with long-time chums and make new friends. The free event is open to the public. The events often sell out. So, if you see a speaker you like, don’t wait to get a ticket!

CMV is generously sponsored, enabling them to offer top-notch events featuring a great musical act, fun swag and a delicious complimentary breakfast! Programming includes engaging opportunities to converse among small groups. During the pandemic, CMV pivoted online leading the way in terms of reliable, technically savvy, engaging talks that continued to nourish creativity and community. Talks are now online and in-person and remain well-curated, interesting and engaging.

I’m also passionate about creativity and community. I’m lucky to have been invited to join First Saturdays board and have been volunteering since early 2022. First Saturdays is like the Eastside Culture Crawl yet happens monthly on each first Saturday. The general public is invited to visit artists in their workspaces, learn about the artistic process as well as view and buy art. A friend, poet, and one of CMS’s many volunteers, Christine Bissonette, suggested I offer to do a First Saturday 30 Second Pitch for CMV. I was invited!

My mini-presentations went well and improved over time. While I’ve been fortunate to have many opportunities for public speaking, it doesn’t come naturally. Some say they wouldn’t know this about me, which is why I like to tell you! Ha ha! I believe communication is a valuable skill for everyone, especially artists. My passion for communications led me to become the past vice president of the Canadian Public Relations Society Vancouver. These days, I’ve discovered that I learn more about my art practice the more I discuss my work to others.

I saw an alignment for continued collaboration with these two groups, offering other artists an opportunity to develop their skills while getting the word out about First Saturday. We are so grateful for all CMV has done supporting a strong, creative community in Vancouver, especially over these past few years. During the pandemic, many people experienced isolation and creative professionals, especially those who share their art or performances publicly, found limited opportunities. Hats off to CMV for keeping the creative pilot light on!

After a few mini-presentations, I began encouraging other First Saturday artists to speak. Since then, artists including Victoria Mitchell, Christina Peressini and Jessica Craig have all volunteered to present. First Saturdays is now a regular 30 Second Pitch presenter, now in its ninth month. Watch a segment of Christina Peressini’s pitch.

If you are a First Saturday artist and would like to be considered for a 30 Second Pitch at CMV, email me with your artist package such as a few images of your work, links, if available, and a short bio with “Creative Mornings 30 Second Pitch Artist” in the subject line.

Lastly, CMV is looking for volunteers! If you’d like to be considered for a dedicated, ongoing, position volunteering with this high profile, fun team, email Mark at Creative Mornings Vancouver.

Last updated 2022.10.25

Your Crawling Guide – The Essentials

Below is an unofficial Eastside Culture Crawl guide created by yours truly. I hope it will offer some insights on how to get the most out of your art experience! A guide? Yes! Even the seasoned Crawler can feel overwhelmed or finish unaware of all the wonderful options available. This is my third time participating as an artist. I’ve also been a Crawl attendee a few times. Embark on your art journey feeling confident and leaving inspired, enriched and connected to Vancouver’s thriving art community! Return to this post regularly. I will update periodically.

Crawling is like traveling to a new city. It’s all about managing priorities and preferences. Personally, I like a focused plan that allows some time for the unexpected. I think this holds true for a great Crawl as well. You do you! It’s your Crawl. Whatever you decide you’ll have a great time. You can’t lose!

Here’s some ideas to help you set your course!

Crawling Tips

Make a Plan
You can’t see every artist or building. So, some kind of game plan is a must! Here are some ideas to consider, from the highly strategic to the go-with-the-flow.
a) The Seriously Fun Plan
This plan is for the most ambitious Crawler, someone who starts early and does the research. Get started now reviewing the Eastside Culture Crawl Catalogue or online artist profiles. Select your top six artists. Map out the corresponding buildings and away you go! I recommend you know your top three must-see artists. It’s so easy to run out of time with this much to see. Start early on Thursday night to kick-start your tour allowing time to come back later, should you wish to see a work of art again. Another idea is to get some artist intel and artsy socializing in at one of several NEXT Exhibit 2022 opening receptions. NEXT artworks were curated by three, important Vancouver curators giving you an idea of who they thought who would best represent this year’s Crawl out of hundreds, if not over 1,000, submissions! Attending will give you a taste of our vibrant, art scene while giving you a sense of which creators you might like to learn more about. Not to mention, attending will give you opportunities to speak with some of the artists; many exhibiting artists attend. Eastside Culture Crawl is BC’s second largest art festival known to attract as many as 45,000 visitors over four days. Finally, some art collectives and artists have their own preview events before the Crawl, including Eastside Atelier. We are hosting an exclusive friends and family Pre-Crawl Preview weekend. You’re invited! Attending a preview will give you more time with the artists to learn about their work and make decisions. You’ll also see the best selection of art to simply enjoy or buy.
b) The Building Strategy
Consider the weather and the time you have to research. Is rain expected? Need a plan fast? Visit one of the larger buildings! Eastside Atelier is the second largest, Vancouver art collective with 48 artists, many of whom are in the Eastside Culture Crawl. Other large buildings include Parker, Mergatroid, Arts Factory, Portside and Arc. Some buildings have food trucks nearby! Pick a building. Go have fun. Easy peasy! 🙂
c) The Explorer
If you like to be outside, have already mastered the large buildings, or are a born adventurer, The Explorer Plan might be the tour for you! There are so many wonderful artists who work from a home studio or one of the many smaller buildings who would love to share their work with you. Pick one of your favourite artists or a choose random place on the map then meander out from there. I’m a history and architecture buff. So, one of my favorite, walkable Crawl areas is the historical Strathcona region. Consider starting at Paneficio Gallery and Studios. Did you know the Crawl started in this building 26 years ago!? You’ll be sure to discover some wonderful artists in surprising places! Pick an Eastside Culture Crawl Building.
Get a Map
Typically, the Crawl produces a pamphlet with a map. In past years, I downloaded PDF map or used their App. At this time, it seems the online map is what’s available and possibly printed maps. Not sure. This may change as we get closer to November 17th. In the meantime, check out the buildings/map here. Printed pamphlets are often distributed to libraries, coffee shops and community centres. Of course, you can go right to the source and pick up a map directly Culture Crawl Office Tue/Thurs 10am – 3pm. Where are pamphlets are in your neighbourhood? Drop a line below in the comments!
Discover Supporting Events
The Crawl is so much more than the art studios tours! For example, check out my Easy, Abstract Painting Demo on Thursday, November 17th. As mentioned in Step 1, there are several, multi-venue, NEXT shows and opening receptions. Additionally, there are artist talks, performances and demonstrations that may be interesting. Too many to mention! Explore Crawl Events now!
Be a Supporter
Supporting the arts has never been more important. If you’re able to contribute financially, there are several ways you can help Eastside Culture Crawl remain a valuable source of art and connection for the creative community. Check out Take Flight‘s wildly successful Art Roulette or Silent Auction. New this year is an intimate Collector’s Cocktail Party! Have fun and take home a beautiful work of art for a good cause.
Stay in the Know – Get Reminders!
– Join My Mailing List or the Eastside Atelier Artists Mailing List –or both–for invites and updates
– Follow the Eastside Culture Crawl and Eastside Atelier Artists on Instagram
Look for Crawl Signage
Some buildings will have black, cast iron crows fixed on the side or snazzy A-Frame signs on sidewalks. I love these cute kiddos and can’t wait to see them again soon! 🙂 Annnnnnnd, Eastside Atelier is super proud to soon show off our very own A-Frame sign. As a collective, we pooled our limited resources and volunteers made it happen. Go team! Special thanks to Christina Peressini for her beautiful, minimalist design.

That’s all for now, folks! Come back later as I update with more tips later. What’s your favourite way to Crawl? Leave your tips in the comments!

World of Wonders Selected for NEXT Exhibit

Ooooohweeeee! I’m so excited! World of Wonders was juried into a special Eastside Culture Crawl exhibit by their talented selection committee including Paul de Guzman, Eri Ishii, and Hugh Kearney.

Eastside Culture Crawl NEXT Exhibit
The theme of this year’s Crawl exhibitions is NEXT. After the extraordinary challenges of the last couple of years, there seems to be a longing for change or a sense of normalcy. For this exciting exhibit, Eastside Culture Crawl artists present opportunities to reach for something new, perhaps a fresh start, or maybe the progression of current practices. It will explore the aftereffects of living through a pandemic as we long for and ponder about what’s NEXT.

Learn more about World of Wonders

Eastside Culture Crawl NEXT Exhibit
Opening Reception
Thursday, November 10th
6-8pm

The Cultch

Featuring works by: Anne Gaze, Brandy Mars, Cat Mudryk, David Tycho, Deborah Bakos, Elizabeth Barnes, Elizabeth Jensen, Garrett Andrew Chong, Helena Maizlin, Jasmine Wallace, Jessica Craig, Joanne Probyn, John Hall, Jorma Kujala, Kelly Haydon, Lauren Morris, Marisa Myrah, Mat Holmstrom, Rose L Williams, Sonia Mocnik, Steve Williams, Sunny Nestler, Sussanne Hoiberg, Suzy Baker, Thompson Brennan.

I hope to see you there!

Eastside Culture Crawl Curators Select New Directions!

_{New Directions. Acrylic Media on Canvas. 43 x 60 x 1.5 in. C$2,580.00}

I’m so thrilled to announce my work, New Directions, has been selected for Surfacing, the Eastside Culture Crawl’s 2021 juried preview exhibition. The selection committee consisted of three curators including Alanna Edwards, Paul de Guzman, and Connie Sabo.

Surfacing is a multi-venue exhibit. My piece will be shown at The Cultch (online) from November 1–31. I will receive a $360.00 honorarium. Exhibition fees were initiated by Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) in 1968. CARFAC is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists. CARFAC believes artists, like other professionals, should be paid for their work. Learn more about CARFAC fees.

At the time of this writing, New Directions is available to view at my Eastside Atelier studio by appointment. If available, I plan to show this artwork during my Eastside Culture Crawl exhibition at my studio.