Art Vancouver 2025: Highlights from the 9th edition of the City's Contemporary Art Fair

Art Vancouver returned to the Vancouver Convention Centre East (Canada Place Building) from April 24 - 27, for its 9th edition this year, transforming the city's iconic waterfront into a vibrant hub of contemporary art. Under the curatorial direction of Founder and Executive Director Lisa Wolfin, the fair reaffirmed its status as Western Canada's premier art event, attracting thousands of collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts.

This year's fair featured over 50 exhibitors, including independent artists, collectives, and international festivals from across Canada and around the world. The diversity of work, from striking large-scale paintings and intricate sculptural statements to playful mixed media, offered visitors an inspiring snapshot of the global contemporary art scene. Notably, artist collectives from Nigeria brought collaborative energy to the show, adding fresh perspectives and a strong sense of community.

Nigerian painter Silas Onoja exhibited independently, captivating audiences with his hyperrealistic oil paintings that dive into the importance of freedom and identity. His meticulous attention to detail and emotional depth stopped many of us throughout the fair in awe.

Emerging artist Emma (Yanzhi) Zhao, currently in high school, showcased her vibrant and imaginative works. Her fearless blending of various media and the exploration of sculptures brought a fresh, imaginative spirit to the fair.

Iranian-Canadian artist Elika Keshavarz also presented her evocative paintings, offering profound insight into the beauty and resilience of the Deaf experience.

Art Vancouver 2025 presented a curated lineup of events, including live demonstrations covering the creation of paintings and sculptures on stage, artist talks and a panel discussion, private receptions with unlimited refreshments, and guided tours. These programs and exclusive experiences created a well-rounded experience as well as spaces for meaningful conversations and understanding of the creative process. Newcomers have said to have found the atmosphere fun and welcoming, while seasoned collectors discovered new talents to follow and acquire.

"This show is a beautiful testament to the beauty of sharing different arts and cultures from countries all around the world. I'm honoured to be a witness to this." - B.Oshiame

Looking ahead, anticipation builds for the 10th edition of Art Vancouver, scheduled for May 28 - 31, 2026. Under Lisa Wolfin's continued leadership, the upcoming milestone will further elevate the fair's commitment to accessibility, diversity, and presentation of art.

Thank you for being part of this year's celebration of contemporary art. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026.

By Asli Marlene Ferhatoglu