Downtown Kitchener is bursting with creativity! You can see it as you walk around the vibrant downtown core. Through a collaboration between the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Association (DTK BIA) and the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery (KWAG) the Downtown Kitchener Art Walk was born.
In March 2020, everything changed with the rise of COVID-19. In the midst of uncertain times, the Downtown Kitchener BIA wanted to give the community something beautiful and long-lasting, that would reignite a passion for the Downtown we all love. – A Field Guide to DTK’s Art Walk
Local artists have brought their craft to the walls of local businesses and throughout the downtown core, resulting in over 90 outdoor oversized installments of local art for everyone to enjoy.
Many of the pieces in the art walk have been a part of the downtown fabric for years – some as far back as the early 1900s. The recent launch aims to reintroduce these pieces to the public. You may be surprised at how many you’ve passed by on your daily route. The Downtown Kitchener Art Walk gives the opportunity to get to know the artist and the story behind each sculpture, statue, and mural. – Explorewaterloo.ca
Ways To Enjoy Downtown Kitchener’s Art Walk
You may think you know the city, but this is a way to experience Downtown Kitchener from a new perspective! There are lots of ways to work an Art Walk into your life. Here are just a few ideas:
- Take a solo tour
- Make a date of it
- Explore art with the family
- Coffee and art with friends
- Office team outing
“But how do I know where to walk?” you may be asking yourself.
- A Field Guide To DTK’s Art Walk. The free Field Guide document is the perfect way to take yourself on a self-guided tour of the Art Walk. It showcases all the art installations and murals and will give you the history and intent of each piece.
- A Stroll Walking Tour. Stroll offers private guided walking tours by local guides who know the neighbourhood.
Both of these options are a great way to discover new areas and art in the downtown core (even if you think you’ve already been everywhere).
A Field Guide To DTK’s Art Walk
The DTK Art Walk Field Guide will give you an overview map of all the installations included on the Art Walk. It also includes an in-depth visual guide as you make your way through the city. For each art piece, you’ll find an image of the completed piece, the name of the artist, the location, type of medium, the year it was created as well as an informative description including information about the artist, process, intent and more.
