City of Vancouver Opens Howe Street Studios

Howe Street Studios, a 10,800-square-foot artist production facility owned by the City of Vancouver, has opened.

Located at 1265 Howe St., it is operated by 221A, a Vancouver non-profit cultural organization, as a shared artist production facility for more than 20 artists.

It will be used mainly for visual arts production. Designed by Merrick Architecture, it includes two kiln-compatible studios and two sound-isolated studios designated for audio practices.

Artists occupying the studios are in commercial sublease agreements for a 3-year rental term, with options to renew through the peer assessment process.

221A has selected the Malaspina Printmakers Society as a key subtenant. The group offers services to a membership base of local print-media artists

A work by Vancouver artist Germaine Koh has been commissioned for the interior façade of the building, in fulfillment of the city's private sector public art requirement. Set Pieces is a series of theatrical curtains and scrims made of materials typical to the neighbourhood: domestic curtains, office blinds, construction mesh, fishing nets with a green screen backdrop. The various layers are mechanically raised and lowered in a changing interactive display, animating daily activities in the studios. 

Source: City of Vancouver