Gallery sights in Canada
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Goethe-Institut Gallery
This esteemed German cultural centre presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary fine arts emphasizing the avant-garde from Europe and across Canada. German language courses, German film screenings with English subtitles ($5 per person), concerts and dramatic readings are also on the agenda. Check the online schedule.
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Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec
Anyone curious about Québec art needs to carve out at least half a day for a visit to this museum, one of the best in the province. There are expert permanent exhibitions that range from art and artists in the early French colonies to Québec’s abstract artists. There are also individual halls devoted entirely to the province’s artistic giants of the last century. The do-not-miss permanent exhibitions include one devoted to Jean-Paul Lemieux (1904–90) and another to Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923–2002), which includes L’hommage à Rosa Luxemburg (Tribute to Rosa Luxemburg; 1986), his largest work. The Brousseau Inuit Art Collection of 2639 pieces spanning 50 years wa…
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Vancouver Art Gallery
Once a disappointing regional gallery with nothing more than a clutch of Emily Carr canvases to recommend it, the VAG – housed in an old courthouse but rumored to be moving to a new downtown location soon – has dramatically transformed in recent years, becoming a vital part of the city’s cultural scene. Edgy contemporary exhibitions, often showcasing Vancouver’s wealth of internationally renowned photographers, are combined with blockbuster traveling shows. The gallery comes into its own on select Fridays for FUSE, a late-night party where you can hang out with the city’s arty types. In summer the mezzanine-level café is among downtown’s best sunny haunts.
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Pendulum Gallery
A creative use for the cavernous atrium of the city’s main HSBC Bank Building – you’ll be overlooking the cash machines and smiling bank tellers – this gallery offers an ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions. It’s mostly new art, and can range from striking paintings to challenging photographs and quirky arts and crafts. The space also houses one permanent exhibit: a gargantuan 27m-long buffed aluminum pendulum that will be swinging over your head throughout your visit. Designed by Alan Storey, it weighs 1600kg and moves about 6m (the swing is assisted by a hydraulic mechanical system at the top). There’s also a coffee shop here if you need to rest your trek-weary…
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Fonderie Darling
Tucked away in a little-visited corner of Old Montréal, the Darling Foundry hosts avant-garde, often large-scale exhibitions in its two sizable showrooms. The brick industrial building, which dates back to the early 1900s, once housed a prosperous iron foundry and is today home to the gallery and live-work studios for artists. The space also houses the Cluny Artbar (entrance around the corner on Rue Prince), a fine spot for coffee, desserts or light lunch fare. In the summertime, the foundry hosts occasional Thursday-night street parties (when admission is free). Check the website for upcoming exhibitions.
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Les Galeries d’Art Beauchamp
With seven galleries and counting, this important contemporary-art company features the work of Québécois, Canadian and international artists. While the works themselves never disappoint, the gallery also hosts special events like virtual exhibitions and a nonprofit organization to bring art to underprivileged children in Québec City. Artists also come to paint on-site in the Artist in Gallery program. Visit the website for other gallery locations.
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McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Handcrafted wooden buildings (which include painter Tom Thomson’s cabin, moved from its original location) are set amidst 40 hectares of conservation trails at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Works by Canada’s best-known landscape painters, the Group of Seven, as well as First Nations, Inuit and other acclaimed Canadian artists, are on display. School groups tend to overrun the gallery on weekday mornings.
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Contemporary Art Gallery
Originally the Greater Vancouver Artists’ Gallery, this small, off-the-beaten-path art space transformed itself into an independent gallery in 1996, moving to a crisp, purpose-built facility a few years later. Focusing on a wide range of modern art, photography is particularly well represented here. Exhibitions are ever-changing and include local and international artists – check the gallery’s website for events and openings.
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Five Nations Village
The largest Iroquois art gallery in the country is in the Five Nations Village and you can also take an hour’s guided tour of the Kahnawake Indian Reserve; kids in particular will enjoy seeing the deer and buffalo that wander the pastures. Traditional dance performances are staged for tour groups and independent travelers can call ahead for the schedule and are welcome to take part.
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Banff Center
Banff Centre, off St Julien Rd east of downtown, contains one of Canada's best-known art schools, complete with facilities for dance, theater, music and the visual arts. Exhibits, concerts and various other events take place regularly. During the Banff Summer Arts Festival, which happens throughout the season, students and internationally recognized artists present pieces in workshops and performances.
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Ice House Gallery
A short walk from the center, Cow Bay is a delightful place for a stroll. The eponymous spotted decor is everywhere but somehow avoids seeming clichéd. There are shops, cafés and a good view of the waterfront. See the bounty of Rupert's vibrant creative community at the artist-run Ice House Gallery .
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Anna Leonowens Gallery
Off the pedestrian area on Granville St, the Anna Leonowens Gallery shows work by students and faculty of the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, which occupies much of the Historic Properties. The gallery is named for the founder of the college, who was immortalized in The King and I for her relationship with the King of Siam.
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Klondike Institute for Art and Culture
Dawson is another northern city with a thriving arts community - although like so many others, most artists head south in winter in search of not just better light but simply light. The Klondike Institute for Art and Culture has an impressive new studio building and programs offering artist in residence programs.
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Mendel Art Gallery & Conservatory
A short walk northeast along the river from the downtown area brings you to the Mendel Art Gallery & Conservatory. With a focus on local artists and frequently changing exhibits, it's a pleasant addition to a stroll by the river. The conservatory is especially enticing, with a Zen garden to quiet the soul.
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Gallery Stratford
In a renovated 1880s pump house, Gallery Stratford exhibits innovative contemporary art with a Canadian emphasis. If your timing’s good, there are regular art studios, movie nights and family days. A community studio lets kids create their own pieces. Bring a picnic and wander over to Queen’s Park afterwards.
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Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
The provincial Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the largest art gallery in Nova Scotia, is housed in the impressive Dominion Building (c 1868). The 35 galleries range from historical and traditional folk art to contemporary art. Daily tours at 14:30 are included with admission.
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Le Lieu
With art installations, sound art, video art and other multidiscliplinary exhibitions, this St-Roch artist center is more than a gallery. Visitors are welcome to browse and experience this local art community hub, which also aims to share Québec art with the world.
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Edmonton Art Gallery
The Edmonton Art Gallery is going through some growing pains at the moment. With a new purpose-built structure set to be unveiled in 2009, its temporary location feels a bit, well, temporary. The art is fantastic, however, and definitely deserves attention.
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Art at 80
Across the road from 401 Richmond, this small gallery complex houses six contemporary galleries – Albert White, Leo Kamen, Moore, Ryerson, Trias and Toronto Image Works – spread over four levels. Photography and painting are the focus here.
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Graffiti Gallery
Street artists need a place to showcase their work and the Exchange's vibrancy provides a natural fit. Inner-city Graffiti Gallery teaches development by taking young artists away from tagging buildings and focusing their energy on creativity.
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Prince George Native Art Gallery
The Prince George Native Art Gallery in the Native Friendship Centre sells works by local artists. Myths and mythic beings form the basis for many of the works, which can be quite spiritual. It also has an excellent gift store.
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Northern Images
Northern Images , in an octagonal log-cabin, is the gallery in town. There are scads of Northern art and crafts here, including $170 beaver-skin caps and $3600 Inuit carvings.
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MacKenzie Art Gallery
With a focus on contemporary art, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, 1km south of the Wascana Centre, is worthy of a wander. The mail hall is a grand space to view local and international pieces.
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Eric Arthur Gallery
If you’re architecturally bent or have an inclination for urban planning, check out the Eric Arthur Gallery, curated by the Faculty of Landscape, Architecture and Design.
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Canada House Gallery
A large private gallery that sells work by Canadian artists and those from the Rockies in particular, Canada House Gallery is an excellent place to see recent trends and works.
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