5th annual Vancouver Witch Walk returns witchier than ever

Witchy? Spooky? Alternative? The Vancouver Witch Walk has it all. The fifth annual free event will take visitors on a magical journey to eight art studios in the city, celebrating alternative art from Nov. 20 to 23.

The Witch Walk is part of the Eastside Culture Crawl — a visual arts, design, and craft festival entering its 29th year. The artists who created the Witch Walk started out at the culture crawl, and noticed people interested in alternative art were asking for recommendations of other artists in the genre.

“When we would have somebody come in, and they would be really excited about our type of art, we often found ourselves circling the map and saying, ‘If you like me, you’ll like that person,’” Witch Walk coordinator Brandi Rawluk says.

“Initially, it was really just connecting different artists who worked in that genre and bolstering each other up a little bit.”

Since then, the walk has expanded into a large multi-neighbourhood art event. It has evolved from a small gathering to featuring a larger art walk and diverse group of artists, Rawluk says.​

“The first year we did it, [the walk] only had three studios. Last year we went to four, and this year we went to eight, so we’ve doubled. It’s no longer this tiny little walk,” Rawluk says.

The walk will showcase more than 20 artists who work in alternative, lowbrow, witchy, spooky, and other unconventional styles. This year will also feature artists who specialize in a range of art forms, including ceramics, sculpture, screen printing, and candle magic.​

Featured artists include Vancouver artist Megan Majewski at multidisciplinary art hub, The Arts Factory, and tattoo artists from Liquid Amber Tattoo.  

The goal of the event is to connect alternative artists and create an inclusive experience for visitors who come and participate in the walk. It is all about fostering community and encouraging individual expression in art and magic, Rawluk says.​

“I think the impact [of the Witch Walk] has been trying to encourage people to explore their own magic,” Rawluk says. “It doesn’t matter what your background, age, or orientation is — magic is for everybody.”

The need for witchy and alternative spaces is important, especially with limited funding and fewer gallery experiences available for alternative artists, Rawluk says.

Rawluk’s art work is known for its level of detail, drawing on her relationship with witchcraft, feminism, nature, and healing. Her artwork has been featured at community events across B.C., as well art exhibitions in Canada, Mexico, and India. 

Her art will be showcased at She Wolf Studio, located on the second floor of 1861 Franklin St. in Vancouver, and is a part of the Witch Walk.

“It’s hard for alternative artists. Traditionally, within the art world, [alternative art] would be considered lowbrow,” Rawluk says, “Lowbrow art doesn’t always get the funding or the grants, so as an artist choosing to work in this, it’s rough out there.”

Rawluk hopes visitors walk away from the Witch Walk feeling accepted, inspired, and with a “sense of wonder and awe.” As for the artists, she hopes the event brings forward career-building opportunities and leaves them feeling encouraged in their creative journeys.

“Hopefully, somebody comes to the event who is maybe a gallery owner and sees somebody’s work and is like, ‘Wow, we’d really love to feature you,’” Rawluk says.

With this being the fifth year of the walk, Rawluk sees the event evolving into a formal society in the future, which will enable the walk to secure more financial support. She hopes the Witch Walk continues to grow, reach a broader community, and create more accessible art spaces.

“Art events in the city make Vancouver a more diverse and beautiful place.”

Doors will be open from 5:00 until 10:00 pm on Nov. 20 and 21, and from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Nov. 22 and 23. A map of all art studios is available on the Vancouver Witch Walk’s Instagram, @witchwalkyvr.