A Craving for Art
Women In Silk’s Nicole Casmey by InCompass Photography
Def Sup Presents The Hunger – 18th Edition
By Amy Sellors
The Hunger – 18th Edition is almost here. Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s annual Halloween extravaganza is back, taking over downtown Port Arthur on October 31. Last year, this event drew over 3,000 people to the Port Arthur downtown core to experience this one-of-a-kind event. It’s a party unlike any other, where the audience is as much a part of the art as the artists are.
The Hunger is an annual fundraiser for the Definitely Superior Art Gallery, and its name speaks to exactly what it does. “It feeds the gallery’s programming year-round, it feeds the artist, it also feeds the performing arts venues downtown,” says Renee Terpstra, development/administrator for Def Sup. It is a unique event that no two audience members experience in the exact same way.
Forever Dead by Keegan Richard
Nine venues will host the event this year, and each venue will showcase different artists—there will be 56 acts in total, including live bands, DJs, and performance artists. “It’s the blending of concert meets circus,” says David Karasiewicz, Def Sup’s executive/artistic director. The audience chooses their own adventure by deciding where to visit and for how long. If you’re a planner, you can grab a schedule and map out where you want to be at what time. If you’re more spontaneous, you can let the spirit move you and make decisions in the moment. There are no wrong answers. “You're going to be exposed to something new, and that's the idea behind it. There's a mix of genres and performances at each location,” says Karasiewicz.
The Hunger is not only a chance to see artists you love and discover artists to fall in love with, it's also a showcase for the venues. In exploring the different artists, audiences can venture into venues they may not have experienced before. The Hunger literally opens doors in the downtown core.
Dee Marie by Ascension Arts
Since the event falls on Halloween, attendees are encouraged to come in costume. When you’re not dressed as yourself, you’re “willing and interested in trying new things and exploring,” says Terpstra. This also makes the audience part of the art. People interact more and engage more, and the newly constructed sidewalk spaces give them more room to do that. “It’s an exciting environment,” says Karasiewicz.
This type of artistic explosion doesn’t exist in other cities. The Hunger is 100% Thunder Bay. It’s an opportunity to explore the downtown and see it develop and thrive. It’s a collaboration between the gallery, the artists, the venues, and the audience. There’s nothing else like it in North America.
The Hunger – 18th Edition runs from 9 pm to 2 am on October 31. All access wristbands are available at the door to each venue for $20, cash only, 19+. Insider tip: come early, as you don't want to miss a thing. For more information visit Def Sup’s social media pages or definitelysuperior.com.