Galleries & Studios
Inuit soapstone sculpture, western oil painting, modern watercolours, mixed media, hand-blown glass, ceramics, metal art, pencil works, hand-pulled prints—Alberta has a remarkable number of art galleries and studios displaying Canadian art in every imaginable medium from classical to contemporary.The Scene
Alberta’s eclectic art scene includes public and commercial galleries, working studios, artist-run centres and collectives, as well as shops at museums and art institutions. You'll find plenty of opportunities to dig deeper by taking in an artist's talk, joining a studio tour, attending an art auction or participating in a guided “art walk.” Here are a few ideas to whet your artistic appetite.
Banff
- Canada House Gallery
- Summit Gallery
- Walter Phillips Gallery (at the Banff Centre)
- Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
Calgary
- Art Central (over 40 galleries, working artists’ studios and retail outlets)
- Art Gallery of Calgary
- Glenbow Museum
- Nickle Arts Museum (University of Calgary)
- Illingworth Kerr and Marion Nicoll galleries (Alberta College of Art & Design)
Edmonton
- Alberta Craft Council Gallery & Shop
- Art Gallery of Alberta
- FAB Gallery (University of Alberta)
Lethbridge
Worth a Look
Mention contemporary art and a must-see is Edmonton’s Works Art & Design Festival, attracting artists, designers and patrons from around the world. In Calgary, don't miss Artspace at the Crossroads Farmers' Market.
Art Strolls
Public Art in Calgary
For an eclectic experience stroll the 8th Avenue Corridor Art Walk in downtown Calgary. Along nine city blocks are more than 11 prominent Calgary fine art galleries and a number of public sculptures that will command your attention. Not to be missed is a tour through the lobbies and mezzanines of the major downtown hotels. The Hyatt Hotel, for example, maintains a collection of more than 200 pieces of classical western art drawn from private collections or commissioned by the hotel. More than 50 fine art galleries in Calgary's downtown district take part in the annual Art City festival in September.
For self-directed or guided art strolls in other parts of the city, try these areas:
- 9 Avenue SE, in Inglewood
- 4 Street SW, in the Mission district
- 17 Avenue SW, bordering Lower Mount Royal
- 10 Street & Kensington Road, just north of the Bow River
Edmonton Art Events
The Gallery Walk Association of Edmonton is a group of eight local galleries within walking distance of each other, located between 123 Street and Jasper Avenue and 124 Street and 107 Avenue. Members include the Bearclaw, Bugera/Kmet, Douglass Udell, Electrum, Scott and West End galleries. Periodically, the association holds group shows.
Or head over to the Old Strathcona district and amble down Whyte Avenue, where you’ll find art displayed and for sale in the charming bistros and bookshops.
Oddball Art
Walk through a herd of life-sized beautiful bovines displayed as public art in Calgary’s Udderly Art Legacy Pasture in the Centennial Parkade. Or stroll around the nearby gigantic sculptures of the Family of Man, originally created for Montreal's Expo 1967 in Quebec.
In Drumheller, public buildings have become colourful canvases for a series of murals depicting the dinosaurs that once roamed these plains.
In the town of Red Deer, you’ll find a vast collection of life-sized bronze sculptures of famous historical characters.
The Heart of Western Art
For a true prairie art experience, take a drive along the famous Cowboy Trail which meanders along the eastern slopes of the Rockies from Cardston to Mayerthorpe. Known as “the last best West,” this network of 20 small communities in our high ranch country is our heartland of unique western and wildlife artwork, homestead galleries and open studios specializing in collectible glassware, unique stoneware, native Canadian art and much more.
One of the biggest hubs is Bragg Creek, where visitors are drawn to its many galleries, boutiques and working studios.
Just off the Cowboy Trail and less than 30 minutes from Calgary on the site of artists Barbara and A.C. Leighton’s homestead and studio is the Leighton Art Centre, Gallery and Museum. Take in the art exhibitions and browse through the art for sale. A variety of programs are available for children and adults.
More Info...
For comprehensive information on galleries and studios in Alberta, click on Advanced under the Search window in the top right corner of this page. Select the Category tab, click on Activities & Adventures/Leisure Activities and choose Gallery/Studio.Additional Resources
