Painting a Picture of the Calgary Art Scene
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	The Work of Herald Klunder Hangs at TrepanierBaer 1

The natural environment of Alberta and the Calgary Area is as visually stunning as it is diverse. The immense skies play with pigments and space, while the contrast of the mountains and prairies serve as a living canvas, endowing nature's brush strokes with free reign in which to create, while inspiring innumerable artists to follow suit. The relationship between artist and canvas is one of spontaneity and creativity, it is at the same time playful and serious while remaining in continuous motion, similar to the relationship between artist and community.

It takes more than natural splendour for a community to benefit from the arts. A social environment where creativity is nurtured is key to both the growth of an artist and pivotal to how well an arts community functions. The people of Calgary have long supported those individuals and groups of people, who find inspiration within their surroundings, then choose to express their interpretation of these conditions through paint, sculpture, performance or any other means.

	Click for Interactive Map of Calgary Galleries

Calgary's urban landscape takes on a whole new life as public art spaces radiate throughout a city where, odd as it may seem, it is not uncommon to see a group of giant frogs sharing a bench, or to come across a murder of crows that can see the future. And don't be alarmed by the mechanical horse wandering the streets, it is only looking for a seat at a local tavern.

The premiere art galleries clustered about downtown's southwest proudly shine new light on one of humankind's oldest traditions. As they assist emerging artists with their distinguished showrooms, these galleries exhibit the human potential for creativity and contribute to our seemingly boundless imagination.

Local artists choose to reveal their pictorial passions as they open the doors of their public studios, giving people a rare glimpse at the inner workings of the creative mind, while engaging the community at the same time.

PUBLIC GALLERIES

Stable, reliable and ever-present, Calgary's public art galleries form the load-bearing pillars that work to support the art scene. These institutions, though they will buy and sell pieces, are concerned mainly with the collection, preservation or exhibition of the world's most notable visual works. Operating as non-profit and charitable societies, they must find funding through donations, government grants, sponsors and special events in order to fulfill their individual mandates. These organizations remain fiscally responsible to their members and stakeholders, while striving to develop ties with local and foreign artists and galleries. The whole community benefits from these galleries because of the appreciation they develop for the history of local and foreign arts and culture.

	Family of Man Standing Tall 2

Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), the segregant mother of the city's art scene, continually trains and nurtures some of the country's greatest talent, who, in turn, contribute to the outstanding art found throughout the city and nation. Thus it is understandable that the school has developed two premier galleries, both known for promoting fresh new artists of contemporary art and design. The Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG), has an innovative, year-round program of exhibitions, publications, lectures, screenings and related events all taking place on the ACAD campus, and the student run, public and not-for-profit Marion Nicoll Gallery, which is based in the massive Main Mall at ACAD, is ideal for showing the students' large-scale installations and group shows, as well as individual bodies of work. Off campus, student work is further represented within ACAD's two high profile public art spaces: the +15 Window, located in the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, and the LRT Window, located in the ACAD/ Jubilee hallway.

Part history museum and part art gallery, yet arguably one of the best exhibition sites of any Canadian university, the Nickle Arts Museum (Nickle), located on the University of Calgary campus, has gained a reputation for hanging some of the country's most provocative shows. By maintaining a comprehensive collection, a broad focus of content and a leading educational standard, the Nickle plays an integral role in both the city and the school's reputation for artistic exposition. The gallery's open association with all of the University's faculties, combined with its membership in the worldwide museum community, guarantees it as one of Calgary's foremost art and history venues.

The University of Calgary is also a proud supporter of its student work. Its Mezzanine Gallery, occupying the University Theatre's Mezzanine Floor, showcases works of art created by current students and alumni. This project directly contributes to the school's Department of Art as it promotes the diverse abilities of its graduate and undergraduate students.

	An Exhibition at Newzones 3

One block south of the LRT Centre Street Station, on historic Stephen Avenue, the Art Gallery of Calgary (ACG) is leading the way in contemporary art exhibition while playing a vital role in Calgary’s culture and community. Five distinct galleries enclosed in the two buildings where the ACG resides, each with diverse, rotating programs, showcase some of Calgary and the nation's most inspired works. Exhibits include a diverse range of mediums, from painting, photography and architecture to design, sculpture, installations and video. The gallery also fosters the understanding of and appreciation for contemporary art and culture through its innovative public and school programs that are held within its own multi-use, educational centre.

In the southeast corner of Calgary's downtown, neighbouring City Hall on MacLeod Trail, the Triangle Art Gallery has been engaged in the advancement of public knowledge and understanding of contemporary visual art for more than 18 years. Through a balanced annual program of exhibitions, developed by the Calgary Contemporary Arts Society (CCAS), Triangle has been contributing to the diversity and recognition of Calgary's artistic sensibilities. The CCAS holds a strong belief that visual arts are an integral part of life in a community, which becomes clear after viewing the gallery's extensive history of exhibitions, ranging from architecture to children's art.

Located in the heritage Memorial Park Building, at Second Street and 12th Avenue, the Alliance Française Gallery aims to promote the visual arts while opening a window to French and francophone cultures. Every year the Alliance organizes a number of cultural events, exhibitions, conferences and concerts within their classic gallery.

Atop the TD Square building, in downtown Calgary, the serene Devonian Gardens offers wandering spirits both sanctuary and the opportunity to discover the artwork of regional artists. The exhibits tucked in amongst the foliage of Devo Art Gallery change monthly in an effort to expose Alberta's rich talent.

PRIVATE GALLERIES

Weaving a network of individuals and organizations within the Calgary arts community, private galleries embody the fabric that bonds artists with their market. Though these establishments are commercial enterprises concerned with the sale of art for profit, they offer free admittance to anyone interested in the work displayed, and also host temporary exhibitions and events to showcase works that have been borrowed from elsewhere. Private galleries serve just as an important role within the art scene as the public galleries. Together, they provide artists with the opportunity to connect with their community, they open the door for people interested in visual art, and they grant enthusiasts a chance to collect rare and original works.

	Art of Gerry Thomas from Gogo Thomas Gallery 4

Conveniently, most of the city's commercial art galleries are concentrated within the downtown's southwest quadrant. Due to the proliferation of not only fine art, but furniture and decor galleries too, this area has become known as the Design Corridor. It is a common occurrence within metropolitan centres to have a plentitude of showrooms like this because of the advantages it offers prospective buyers and collectors who can just walk from show-to-show in search of their next fine art purchase.

As the rails of CP cut through the middle of Calgary, they create a clear division between the hustle of the financial district and the beauty of the arts district. From Stephen Avenue, cross to the south side of the tracks to find Calgary's Gallery Row, centred around 11th Avenue and spanning from Fourth Street to 11th Street SW. A trip down this lively avenue reveals a vivid palette of fine art galleries, each worthy of an extensive visit.

Gallery Row
Heading west from Fourth Street, the area's largest and most eclectic collection of original art is found at Artists of the World. This naturalistic art gallery features three floors of original paintings, glassworks, ceramics and sculptures by artists from all over the world to artists of Calgary's own neighbourhoods.

Next down the line, in an organic basement gallery that has been intelligently lit in order to enhance the artists styles, resides 11th Avenue's newcomer, the Gogo Thomas Gallery. The name comes from the combination of the only two artists exhibited, Gerry Thomas and Jason Gogo, the same two who own the space. This dynamic gallery stands out as one of very few artist-owned-and-operated private galleries in the area.

Back to the street and continuing west, the pleasant people at Kensington Fine Art Gallery present a rotating collection of original 21st century Canadian art. This well lit, one room exhibition space has been in operation since 1968 and now represents over 40 prominent contemporary artists as well as historic works of importance.

	Newzones Gallery in Calgary's Arts District 5

Across the street in the lower level of 617 11th Avenue, ArtFirm continues to expand its range of innovative artists as they exhibit an array of shows in contemporary fine art. The diverse forms of artistic perspectives being exhibited include anything from minimalist geometric designs to mixed medium abstractions.

One block down, a climax of showrooms is met as five eminent galleries share one city block.

On the north side of 11th Avenue Newzones neighbours the Paul Kuhn Gallery. Both present a respectable aesthetic—clean and modern—which portrays their sense of professionalism. Their open and functional presentations do not distract from, but contribute to, the exquisite mix of contemporary art they display. The younger of the two, Newzones shows a strong commitment to new art as well as "new to Calgary art" through their exciting program of museum quality exhibitions, International Art Fair participation and publishing. The three floors of the Paul Kuhn Gallery focus primarily on art from local, regional and national Canadian artists.

Cross to the south side of 11th and find Image 54 Gallery sharing a building with the respectable Harrison Galleries, who both neighbour the Douglas Udell Gallery. First established as a framing shop in 1982, Image 54 has evolved to include original artwork and solo exhibitions by early to mid-carrier Canadian artists. The softly-lit Harrison Galleries occupies the east wing of the same building. With an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary paintings, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, Harrison Galleries represents over 45 years experience in western Canada's art community. Next door the Douglas Udell Gallery promotes many of Canada's leading artists, and some international talent, in a small, elegant gallery.

A block westward, the affable Webster Galleries Inc. houses a large assortment of Canadian fine art. Their collection spans two floors and focuses on an extensive Inuit sculpture display, and also includes bronzes, paintings, ceramics and hand-pulled prints. Websters also offers complete, professional framing services, not only for gallery pieces but private pieces as well.

	Sculpture of Head on Third Street SW 6

Moving a little farther west one finds Virginia Christopher, a graduate of ACAD in the 60s, and the proprietor of Virginia Christopher Fine Art. Now a source of fine art for over a quarter century, the gallery represents most of western Canada's most successful mature artists. The works displayed by the gallery range widely from representational landscapes to pure abstraction.

From there, head north up Eighth Street to find TrepanierBaer. This modern gallery represents more than 25 artists whose diverse mediums include painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, film and video. It also provides appraisal and consulting services to private individuals and corporations seeking to develop art collections.

Public Art
Amongst giant dandelion skyscrapers that seem to pop up daily, and through the rumble of a city that will not yield, stands a group of silent figures, as still as the buildings that surround them yet infused with the life of those who created them. Dispersed about the urban clutter, these statues, structures and murals play an important role, as they can change a city from a place where people need to stay for work into an enriched and inspiring community where people enjoy living.

	The Mechanical Horse 7

Standing 6 m (21 ft) high, over the Board of Education Building, at 515 Macleod Trail, the remarkable Family of Man features a group of nine raceless, expressionless human figures extending their hands in a gesture of fellowship and goodwill. Created by Mario Armengol for display at Expo 67 in Montreal, and later donated to the City of Calgary, the piece comments on the contradiction of man's dominance with his insignificance and dependence.

The bronze Family of Horses eternally grazing in the concrete fields of the Municipal Plaza (City Hall) are the work of Calgary-area artist Harry O'Hanlon. Strangely, this family bears less resemblance to the mechanical stallion roaming Stephen Avenue, than they do the two bronze businessmen of the statue entitled The Conversation.

Those familiar with Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Nellie McClung will be happy to find them taking a well deserved rest across from the grand entrance to the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Immortalized in cast bronze, the Famous Five sculpture commemorates these ladies and their courageous battle for women's rights in Canada.

Walking the Fourth Street district may impose a feeling of Alice trekking her Wonderland. Peter Smith's friendly, man-sized frogs Hanging Out on the benches at 21st Avenue may not be able to make room for the weary to rest, but rest assured, these metallic amphibians are a friendly group, and may direct guests to the Brick Couch on 18th—sort of a joke they play.

The trip around the Fourth Street area bares many things, but it is said that Counting Crows can reveal the most. Based on a traditional English rhyme, which was used to predict one's fortune according to the number of crows seen, this statue, created by Calgary local Evelyn Grant, inspires much finger-pointing as people count the members of the murder perched on the windmill at 13th Avenue.

These and more wonders are everywhere and while they hide from those too busy to care, they await just around the next corner for those in the mood for an adventure.

Studios
The successes hang on the walls and the less fortunate hide in the corner, the tables are stacked with sketches, while the works-in-progress sit on the wheel or wait on the easel. This is one example of an artist's studio—one of many. In Calgary, there are many variations of what a studio looks like, many of which have open doors, allowing the public to see for themselves, meet the artist and maybe purchase a piece they like.

Sadly, a common misconception the public holds is that artists don't have to work as much or as hard as the rest. This cannot be further from the truth, and a tour of a studio will set the record straight.

Enter Art Central and enter Calgary's art Mecca, a complex renowned for offering the city's highest concentration of studios and galleries found within one building. Only steps from the LRT Seventh Street Station, this axis of visual art aims to unite the arts community while accommodating spaces for studios, art galleries, ancillary retail and related services. With 22 working artists' studios, nine galleries, seven shops and two cafes, Art Central presents a stimulating environment in which creative art is given the highest regard. Get involved with the art scene and meet the artists at the First Thursday Celebrations, as Art Central joins in with one of the city's most popular monthly events. Every first Thursday of every month local merchants offer free events and special discounts.

	Gallery Space at Webster Galleries Inc. 8

 

PHOTO COURTESY c/o TrepanierBaer; The Work of Herald Klunder Hangs at TrepanierBaer; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Gogo Thomas Gallery; Art of Gerry Thomas; Calgary, AB,Canada Richard Jack; c/o Worldweb.com; Family of Man Standing Tall; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Newzones; An Exhibition at Newzones; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Webster Galleries Inc; Gallery Space at Webster Galleries Inc; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Newzones; Newzones Gallery in Calgary's Arts District; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Worldweb.com; The Mechanical Horse; Calgary, AB, Canada c/o Worldweb.com; Sculpture of Head on 3rd Street SW; Calgary, AB, Canada