Summer art crawls to go car free, as city plans to block off section of James Street North

Art Crawlers will soon have full rein of James Street Northas the city plansto close a stretch of the road to vehicles during themonthlyart fairs.

The first pedestrian-only Art Crawl will take place on June 9. The road will be closedagain on July 14 and Aug. 11,between 6 and 11 p.m.

Thepopular event transforms the downtown street into an art, music and food hubthe second Friday of every month.

Before the pandemic, hundreds of people flocked to the area during the events, said Coun. Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2).This year he's expecting even more people will attend.

The regular fairs are separate from theSupercrawlmusic and arts festival, which brings thousands to the street inSeptember. Cars are already not permitted to the stretch of roadduring that time.

Kroetsch was behind the motion passed at a council meeting Wednesday to close off James Street North betweenCannon Street West and Barton Street West for Art Crawl events, and asked staff to consider extending the closure a block north toMurray Street East.

"For those who are supportive of Art Crawl, everyone said this is going to be a tremendously helpful intervention and will make this a safer experience for everyone," Kroetsch told council.

Art fairs are 'in full bloom again'

Artist and Art Crawl vendor Serafina Santucci Thoma said closing the street to cars will be "super beneficial."

When Art Crawl is busy and pedestrians are confinedto the sidewalk, it's challenging for people to navigate the crowd, especially if they use a wheelchair or stroller, she said. Opening the roadto pedestrians will encourage more people to come out, she added.

Santucci Thoma makes and sells jewellery and said Art Crawl has"dramatically improved" her life.It's a way for artists to advertise and market their wares for free and the money she's earned at the event has helped her pay for her university degree.

"Now we are past the pandemic, Art Crawl is in full boom again," Santucci Thoma said. "It's amazing to see the city come alive."