Y ART + ANTIQUES
Artist Spotlight
VIKKI WIERCINSKI
WHERE : What made you want to become an artist ? Vikki Wiercinski : Being a visual person was the only thing that ever interested me . As a kid , instead of paying attention in , say , math class , I would draw all over my workbooks in school ( and get in trouble for it !). Fast forward past graphic design school and somewhere in there I started drawing my abstract shapes and haven ’ t been able to stop .
W : What mediums do you prefer to work in ? VW : I lean towards mediums that allow me a lot of control while drawing and come in a range of thrilling colours . The drawings here are done in opaque acrylic ink markers as well as water-based markers , and are layered over and over — many drawings have 15 layers or more .
W : What themes or issues do you explore in your art ? VW : At the moment I am very interested in the effects spending time in nature have on one ’ s headspace . My abstract drawing series , Neon Prairie , started almost two years ago during a camping trip , and were inspired by the landscapes , clouds , and natural shapes around me . Over time I noticed in different places that the drawings took on wildly contrasting shapes , colours , and depths depending on what was going on around me .
W : What artists or works inspire your own ? VW : The work of Alberta artist Alex Janvier , of whom I stand in total awe of . As well as screen-printing pattern maniacs Atelier Bingo from France , Finnish designer Maija Louekari of Marimekko fame , the bright work of Lucienne Day , and the wonderfully crazy dots of Yayoi Kusama .
W : What do you hope people take away from your work ? VW : I work to pause and look at my natural environment a little differently . There are so many shapes and forms and colours around you every day , and it ’ s pretty thrilling for me to notice that instead of walking by . It is my hope that people can share in enjoying surreal , curious combinations of abstract shapes and colours .
View and buy Wiercinski ’ s work online at veekee . ca and on Instagram @ veekeedraws .
The following is a brief selection of antiques , art galleries , art shows , and exhibits that WHERE believes are worthy of your attention .
Coordinates refer to maps on pages 71 to 73 .
ANTIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ART GALLERIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 ART SHOWS & EXHIBITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FOR FULL LISTINGS , PLEASE VISIT where . ca / edmonton
The following symbols , located at the end of each listing , denote the establishment ’ s location :
D — Downtown
N — North Edmonton S — South Edmonton W — West Edmonton
ANTIQUES
ATTICA ANTIQUES This antique store features an extensive selection of antique furniture , including Quarter-cut Oak , Victorian English mahogany , Victorian American walnut , and Canadiana handcrafted antique pieces . Approximately 90 % of the inventory is at least 100 years old ! Mon - Fri 9:30 am - 5:30 pm ; Sat 10 am - 4 pm ; Closed Sun . 14423-123 Ave ., 780-452-4787 . atticaantiques . com Map 1-C2 W
PATIO TIME
BLUE JAR ANTIQUE MALL In their 7,000-sq . -ft . space , you can find a multitude of treasures , including antique and retro furniture , vintage vinyl records , glass and china pieces , vintage toys , old advertising signs , farm equipment , and even more oddities . Mon - Sat 10 am - 6 pm ; Sun 12 pm - 5 pm . 15230 Stony Plain Rd ., 587-523-5550 . bluejarantiquemall . com Map 1-C4 W
CLASSIC EUROPEAN ANTIQUES Featuring over 10 dramatic showrooms on two floors , this store is filled with a great variety of European and American antiques including Grandfather clocks , oil lamps , and chandeliers , bronze statues , beautiful high-quality furniture , and so much more . Tues - Fri 11 am - 5 pm ; Sat 11 am - 4 pm ; Sun 11 am - 4 pm ; Closed Mon . 13314-126 Ave ., 780- 482-4414 . classiceuropeanantiques . com Map 1-C2 N
CURIOSITY INC . From vintage motorcycles to antique time pieces , owner and self-described treasure hunter Alexander Archbold stocks his shop with unique and curious items . Explore his collection of Indigenous carvings , musical instruments , and oil and gas memorabilia . Tue - Fri 11 am - 5 pm ; Sat 10 am - 6 pm ; Closed Sun - Mon . 10056-164 St ., 780-444-0386 . curiosityedmonton . ca Map 4-F7 W
IBON ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES This antique shop specializes in vintage and collectible furniture as well as clothing , accessories , glass , china , pottery , jewellery , lighting , home décor , and memorabilia . Plus , they are an exclusive retailer of the prized W . Moorcraft pottery
5 CAFÉS WITH LOCAL ART
1 . Sugarbowl , 10922-88 Ave ., thesugarbowl . org 2 . Credo , 10134-104 St ., credocoffee . ca 3 . Block 1912 , 10361 Whyte ( 82 ) Ave ., block1912 . com 4 . The Carrot , 9351-118 Ave ., thecarrot . ca 5 . Remedy Café , 10279 Jasper Ave ., remedycafe . ca
Enjoy great food , music , cocktails , and more at Latitude 53 ’ s Urban Garden Party on July 22 from 5 pm – 11 pm ! ( pg 31 )
PHOTOS COURTESY VIKKI WIERCINSKI ; BY ADRIEN GUYOT
28 where . ca // JULY / AUGUST 2017