Exploring the arts and culture of 124th Street

Edmonton’s monotonous nickname, “Deadmonton,” has since disappeared from the top search results on the Internet. The name is now taken by a local haunted house. However, the original sentiment of a boring city still rings true in the minds of some Canadians. This nickname is undeserving, as the city boasts much more than its popular attractions, such as West Edmonton Mall or Rogers Place. An older area of town that wipes the city clean of this nickname and instead gives the city a unique artistic flair is 124th Street. 

Just north of Jasper Avenue, 124th Street features antique shops, clothing boutiques, and local restaurants. Even with the many shopping districts in town, its public art spaces set the street apart, which are available to all. 

The Gallery Walk features multiple fine arts galleries where local artists create an innovative and communal space of expression. Their work often depicts our city not with the bore nickname in mind, but instead engineers an appreciative view of Edmonton. The most intriguing is the Bearclaw Gallery, where local Indigenous artwork takes the form of sculpture, jewellery, and painting. Often utilizing folk stories and unique traditions within their artwork, the gallery provides an enriching tapestry of Canadian history. It also honours the identity of Indigenous artists of different backgrounds in an artistic space. 

The galleries on this walk offer more than just visually stunning artwork. Rather, they deliver thought-provoking pieces that do not hesitate to explore hard topics. The Bearclaw Gallery touches on our relationship to the land, intergenerational trauma, and the road to truth and reconciliation. The Gallery Walk provides us with distinct artistic renderings of the city that offer a deeper connection between the public and community.

The art scene in this area is not bound to galleries alone. Many murals decorate the concrete walls of many businesses. A favourite of mine is the spray-painted mural near Glasses Half Full by artist AJA Louden. Pulling inspiration from the city’s greenery, Louden depicts four close-up shots of scenery one might find in the river valley. The murals add a unique flair to the street that would otherwise comprise of browns and greys.

While appreciating the art scene in the area, I would check out a local cafe or restaurant. This street boasts some of the most famous in town, including Duchess Bake Shop. My recommendation is the ice cream shop, Twice Cream, tucked away from the bustle of the main street. This spunky place brings to life the community around it, welcoming kids to play outside. They have unique flavour options to choose from, such as Saffron Pistachio and Dark Cherry Lemon Curd.

124th Street is a mix of the old and new. It features amazing artists that, along with local vendors and restaurants, bring a breath of fresh air to the neighbourhood. The art installations and galleries offer a new look at Edmonton and community members of various cultures. To explore our city, one doesn’t have to go somewhere newly built, but rather to a street with many unknown stories behind it.