Show your work in an exciting, one-night-only event that transforms local businesses, historical buildings and unconventional venues into pop-up galleries, connecting artists with new audiences in a variety of cool spaces!

The Gallery Hop is a self-directed, community-wide art walk that kicks off the Festival, transforming local businesses into temporary exhibition spaces, performance venues, and creative hubs for one night only. This event offers a unique platform for artists to showcase their work, experiment with immersive installations, or engage audiences through live performances and interactive experiences.

I am a local artist, how can I participate?

How Artists Can Participate:

Artists are encouraged to think beyond traditional exhibitions and get creative with how they engage the community. Possible ways to participate include:

• Exhibiting or selling a collection of original artwork in a pop-up market format.
• Creating an immersive installation or experience within a venue.
• Performing music, theatre, or experimental arts.
• Hosting interactive experiences such as a collaborative art piece, improv session, or open mic.
• Organizing an opening or special event to accompany their exhibit or installation.
• Bringing any other innovative artistic expression that fits the art crawl format.

In honor of the Yukon Riverside Arts Festival’s 25th anniversary, we’re introducing a special prize for this year’s Audience Favourite Gallery Hop Stop. Visitors will get to vote for the stop that inspires them the most — and it could be yours!

Camera Obscura Featured Artist

Interested in being the Camera Obscura Featured Artist?
We’re looking for a standout installation to be showcased inside the Camera Obscura throughout the YRAF weekend. This is a unique opportunity to present work that thrives in an intimate, enclosed space—particularly pieces that play with shadow, light, and atmosphere.

Unlike most Gallery Hop locations, the Camera Obscura remains open and accessible all weekend, giving your work extended exposure beyond a single evening. The featured installation will also receive special attention on our platforms, including social media and printed materials.

Past exhibits have included an altar, immersive audio environments, multimedia sculptures, puppet shows, and live performances. If your work could come alive in this one-of-a-kind setting, we’d love to hear from you.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, check out our FAQ FOR ARTISTS and submit an application by May 26, 2025.

I own a local business or venue, how can I participate?

In a similar vein as Thaw-di-Gras, Dawson’s Spring Carnival, this is a chance to host a fun activity and invite customers and visitors into your space in an exciting and celebratory way.

Businesses and organizations are invited to participate by:

• Either selecting an artist you’d like to feature at your location, or simply offering your storefront or premises for KIAC to match you with a participating artist.
• Scheduling a musical performance for that evening
• Hosting art related activities, such as “drink and draw”, open mic or themed night
• Having a special sale, pop up art market or open house event

Read our FAQ FOR BUSINESSES to learn more about the Gallery Hop and let us know if you’d like to participate by emailing us at yraf@kiac.ca

Past venues include: Dawson City Museum, Confluence Gallery, Red Mammoth Bistro, The Drunken Goat, Bombay Peggy’s, Fortymile Gold, Dawson Cannabis, Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Parks Canada KNHS buildings, Westmark Inn and more.