110 - Meet Alayna 👋
Meet Alayna 👋
When she’s not busy running soft flirt, you’ll likely find localist Alayna Hryclik (aka. the Forest City Sweetheart) up to all sorts of stuff with London’s art/maker scene. We recently got to collaborate with her on a “localist” t-shirt (see below) and couldn’t wait to follow that up with an introduction to her favourite things about this city!
1. What’s one of London’s best-kept secrets? 🤫
Both a secret and not a secret at all, Forest City Gallery! Between exhibitions, workshops, residencies, reading groups, seminars and parties, FCG is a treasure trove of arts and culture and support for artists in London! I’m looking forward to our annual Show & Sale in December —it’s a great way to support artists and pick up a special new piece of art for your home.
2. What’s your favourite way to spend a Saturday in London? 💖
On the rare occasion that I’m not slinging soft flirt at The Western Fair Market I always make time to swing by Covent Garden Market for a cup of Hasbeans coffee and some gluten-free treats from Helm Baked. I like to follow that with a porch hang, which has become one of my favourite ways to get in a quick socially distanced visit with friends, and then likely finish the day by… getting back to work.
3. Tell us about the last London thing you recommended to friends. 🗣️
I’m missing them dearly, but our local pop-up markets have been some of my favourite memories. With special mention to Punk Rock Flea Market (run by the dreamboats at Rebel Remedy), I miss the way these events gather the community, and bring together all our favourite movers and shakers. I’m looking forward to when things are safer and I can invite friends out to these again!
4. What are you looking forward to in London this year? 🤞
Our mural at the Neighbourhood Laundromat at 547 Hamilton Road! We are almost done but this project has been years of dreaming and months of planning and it’s finally culminating into one huge and spectacular piece of public art! It’s been a labour of love between myself and friend/collaborator Jessica Thornton and we’re excited to add to the murals popping up around the city (including the recent additions downtown).
5. Who should Londoners be paying attention to? 👀
Rezonance printing! I talk them up to everyone. Not only do they produce excellent screen-printed work (they printed our “localist” shirt collab), they also run an Indigenous youth mentorship program. I’m always stoked to see young artists thriving and getting the support they need to keep going!
T-Shirt Sale! 🎉
We’re stoked to have recently worked with Alayna on this ”localist” shirt, which—along with all other stock—is now available to subscribers for 20% off with the discount code “LOCALIST202020”.
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