This August, a vibrant new cultural event is set to take root in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood, filling the void left by the cancellation of the long-running Vancouver Mural Festival. Spearheaded by former VMF cofounder Drew Young and collaborator Steffanie Love, the Astro Arts Festival will debut from August 8 to 10 in Astro Alley, a creative space that once hosted VMF activities. The festival promises an immersive urban experience with live mural creation, local art showcases, music, food, and community engagement. This three-day celebration builds upon the foundation of the recently launched Astro Club, a shared studio space designed to support visual artists at all stages of their careers. With over 40 participating artists and a revival of the popular 100 Amigos exhibition curated by Douglas Coupland and others, the event aims to reignite public enthusiasm for street art and maintain Vancouver’s growing reputation as a dynamic arts destination.

Following the Vancouver Mural Festival’s conclusion earlier this year after nearly a decade of transforming the city’s walls into canvases, Young and Love saw an opportunity to continue fostering artistic expression through a fresh lens. Their vision materialized into the Astro Arts Festival, which not only honors the legacy of VMF but also introduces a more intimate, artist-centric format. The event will unfold in Astro Alley—a narrow lane behind the Astro Club—where attendees can witness muralists in action, explore open studios, and engage directly with creators. Unlike its predecessor, this new festival blends gallery-style exhibitions with spontaneous street art performances, creating a hybrid model that emphasizes both process and final product.

The Astro Club, launched in 2023 at 165 West 4th Avenue, serves as the backbone of this initiative. Designed as a collaborative environment for dedicated visual artists, it provides essential tools, workspace, and networking opportunities. According to Love, the club was conceived as a sanctuary where creativity thrives alongside mutual support. Its members include painters, illustrators, sculptors, and mixed-media creators who contribute to a culture of innovation and shared purpose. The alley behind the club has become a natural extension of this creative ecosystem, now set to host large-scale murals and experimental works during the festival weekend.

Highlighting the diversity of talent within the local scene, the inaugural Astro Arts Festival will unveil six major commissioned murals under the theme “The Mural Wrap,” complemented by more than 30 on-site creations developed in real time. Participating artists such as Alex Beadle, Ciele Beau, Jason McCrea, and Nicole Young represent a mix of established names and emerging voices. In addition to live painting sessions, visitors can browse an artisan market, enjoy curated musical sets, and relax in a beer garden—all within a compact, walkable venue that encourages interaction between creators and audiences. This approach reflects a shift toward community-driven events that prioritize accessibility and engagement over large-scale spectacle.

One of the most anticipated components of the festival is the return of the 100 Amigos art show, a collective exhibition originally organized by Coupland and Young. Curated alongside Pablo Zamudio, the exhibit will display works from over a hundred regional artists, offering a snapshot of Vancouver’s contemporary visual arts landscape. By combining grassroots energy with high-profile curation, the Astro Arts Festival positions itself as both a tribute to past achievements and a launchpad for future artistic endeavors. As the first edition unfolds, it seeks to establish a lasting tradition that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the ever-evolving language of public art.