Winter Arts Festival is taking place this Family Day long weekend (Feb. 16 -19), with a plethora of free, family-friendly activities throughout downtown Victoria. From hands-on art crafting to immersive storytimes and interactive art installations, it’s going to be a fun time for the whole family. Grow virtual mushrooms, play oversized musical instruments, and explore over 20 new and existing art along the Art Walk. Venture into participating businesses and City Hall for a cozy break, and keep an eye out for delightful pop-up performances. 1. Unleash Your Creativity: Colouring Sheets and Lant ..read more

Winter Arts Festival takes art beyond gallery walls and into the heart of urban environments, infusing city spaces with the magic of sculptures, projection mapping, augmented reality (AR), and live performances.  SAVE THE DATE Victoria: FEB. 16 - 19, 2024 Vancouver: FEB. 22 - 27, 2024 "The Winter Arts Festival provides a platform for artists to experiment, push boundaries, and inspire the community," said Miriam Esquitín, VMF Executive Director. “Whether wandering through the illuminated streets of Victoria or celebrating the festival's return to Vancouver, Winter Arts Festival pr ..read more

For the first time, VMF is hosting the Winter Arts Festival in two cities! We are thrilled to announce that Winter Arts Festival is expanding to Victoria, thanks to the City of Victoria. VMF is honoured to debut the Winter Arts Festival on the unceded territories of the lək̓wəŋən (Lekwungen) speaking Songhees and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nations. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Victoria: February 16 - 19, 2024 Vancouver: February 22 - 27, 2024 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS VICTORIA Art Walk | Feb. 16 - 19 (FREE // All Ages) Throughout the Family Day long weekend, you can explore downtown Vict ..read more

At VMF Winter Arts 2022, Doaa Magdy presented “Dynamic Diasporas” , a two part project that narrated BC’s Black history through archival images and a live performance at VMF Winter Arts Hub, in partnership with BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS). The project focused around telling the story of roughly 800 educated and skilled Black pioneers who came to the Colony of British Columbia in 1858 at the invitation of its governor, Sir James Douglas, leaving behind an increasingly racist and divisive America, including Emma Stark, Grafton Tyler Brown and Rebecca Gibbs, William Allen Jones, a ..read more

One of the highlights of VMF Winter Arts 2023 is the exhibition PRESENT, curated by multimedia artist Tafui, featuring audio, visual, and spoken word artists exploring the ways in which language and music can be used to create and communicate meaning. Through various media, the artists in PRESENT examine how words and sounds can be used to convey emotion, express ideas, and tell stories that highlight the creativity of the African and Caribbean diaspora. In doing so, they offer a unique perspective on the power of being “Present” and its ability to shape our understanding of the world.  ..read more

Out and about this holiday season and looking for free things to enjoy with the whole family in downtown Vancouver? Then… look no further. Here are our top 5 FREE fun, holiday attractions in the heart of Vancouver, perfect for kids and families. Find the best spots for beautiful holiday pictures and to catch up on some quality family time this December, all between West Georgia, Burrard Street, and Canada Place. VANCOUVER CHRISTMAS TREE AT ŠXʷƛ̓ƏNƏQ XWTL'E7ÉNḴ SQUARE — 850 W GEORGIA ST Let’s start with one of the city’s most beloved holiday spots: the Christmas tree outside the Vancouver Ar ..read more

Marjan Moghaddam is an award-winning and pioneering Digital Artist/Animator, known for her unique style of 3dCG figuration/animation and critical discourse. She is the recipient of top awards/grants, exhibited at the Smithsonian and other museums. She was the Adobe artist-in-residence in 2019 and was featured in Forbes' Best of AR Art. Her works are held in private, institutional and NFT art collections. A political refugee and immigrant from Iran, Marjan lives and works in Brooklyn, where she is a Tenured, Full Professor of CG, Animation, and XR at LIU Brooklyn. For VMF Winter Arts 2022, Mar ..read more

Curated and created by Doaa Magdy, “Dynamic Diasporas” is presented by VMF Winter Arts and community partner BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS). The project tells the story of roughly 800 educated and skilled Black men and women who came to the Colony of British Columbia in 1858 at the invitation of its governor, Sir James Douglas, leaving behind an increasingly racist and divisive America. Through visual storytelling and dance, Dynamic Diasporas introduces the public to their stories of determination, achievements, and endurance. This is an opportunity to learn about BC’s Black pion ..read more

During VMF Winter Arts (Feb 11-27, 2022), you can experience Pixel Moments’ AR mural in support of the St. Paul’s Foundation and mental health. Pixel Moments is an initiative of the St. Paul’s Foundation with the goal of bringing more awareness to mental health and raising funds for mental health resources at St. Paul’s Hospital.  This year, they’re collaborating with VMF Winter Arts to bring people together and celebrate local art.  Pixel Moments’ 2022 Mural Experience Created by Chase Gray (VMF alumni and Winter Arts artist), Pixel Moments’ mural, “Breathe”, will bring donor selfi ..read more

The IM4 Lab supports Indigenous artists and media professionals by providing immersive learning and production opportunities and building an Indigenized tech ecosystem.  It was created by Indigenous filmmaker, Loretta Todd, alongside media matriarchs Doreen Manuel, Cease Wyss, and Tracey Kim Bonneau.  In collaboration with Emily Carr University, the IM4 Lab is dedicated to Indigenizing VR/AR/360 by enabling Indigenous communities to find effective ways to incorporate these technologies into educational, cultural, language, artistic, and commercial applications.  This is the sec ..read more