Diane Lefroy's Studio Gallery

Diane's studio gallery is located in the area of Vancouver known as SOMA ( for South Main), which is known for its thriving arts community, funky cafes and restaurants, and unique shops, where you can find one of a kind pieces by local designers. It's a great neighborhood to visit on a weekend for brunch and a stroll on Main Street visiting the art galleries, bookstores, vintage clothing shops and one-of-a-kind home furnishing and accessories stores that line both sides of the street all the way to 29th Ave.

Diane's studio gallery is in the Artiste building on Scotia and E.5th, one of several live-work lofts in the historic Brewery Creek area just east of Main Street between 2nd Ave. and Broadway. The Western Front Artist-run Centre has been a long-time fixture in the area, with regular art shows and concerts ( it's a venue for The Vancouver International Jazz Festival every summer) as well as dance performances, Jane Allison's famous "Boing Boing" workouts, and other arts events and programs.

On 6th Avenue E. at Scotia, you'll see the historic Brewery Creek Building, one of the early loft conversions from a historic industrial building to the unique residences housed there today. Across the street, The Whip Gallery Restaurant located in another historic building, is a favorite hang-out for locals in the neighborhood. Different artists are showcased every month in their gallery space.

Other nearby places of note: at Main and 7th, the >Aurora Bistro, the Aion Art Gallery, The Foundation - a funky vegetarian restaurant, and Pulp Fiction - a great used book store. Further up Main you'll find SOMA Cafe, another popular hang-out for locals, and at Main & Kingsway there's Our Town Cafe. On a rainy Sunday, you can have a bowl of homemade soup and watch a classic movie on their flat screen TV. They also have live jazz and classical music in the evenings.

From September15th through October 15th 2006, the Main Art Drift Society and participating businesses will host the 3rd annual Drift : Art on Main Street , stretching along Main Street from Industrial Avenue to 33rd. This year there are more than 100 artists and 30 businesses showcasing local art and supporting the Main Street arts community.

For more information or to register for this year's event, please visit The Main Art Drift Society website at www.thedrift.ca

Copyright 2003 - 2006. Diane Lefroy. All rights reserved.