Even though Calgary is often talked about as an oil and gas city, there are wonderful Visual Art and Craft Spaces. You can find little galleries and shops packed with amazing artwork made by Calgary Artists and Artisans. These little creative hot spots are tucked away in all parts of the city.
If you appreciate hand-crafted art and fine craft, there are abundant opportunities. You can find so many marvelous, original and unique pieces in Calgary. Let me introduce to some of these places that I love to visit and always find creatively inspiriting.
Make Time for A Visit (In-Person or Virtually)
The diverse opportunities that we, as Calgarians, have at our fingertips are quite amazing. Whether you have visited these places before or they are brand new to you, they all deserve another look.
In this time of lockdown, your visits might only be through your computer. But looking at beautiful items fashioned by talented artists and artisans is a guaranteed way to boost your spirits. Some of these delightful spaces have virtual tours. Others have amazing websites or great photos on Face Book. Don’t let not being able to visit in person stop you from getting a great dose of creative inspiration.
One Cool Building
cSPACE King Edward
1721 – 29th Avenue SW cspacekingedward.com
cSPACE King Edward started life as a sandstone school. A few years ago it was transformed into a wildly creative environment. This welcoming artistic space is packed with art, crafts, studios, galleries and ingenuity. Basically a whole lot of fun packed into one building. They support communities of artists, non-profits and entrepreneurs working at the creative edge of change. But that doesn’t describe the vibrant, exciting and visual experience that this space truly is.
If you are here in person, Visit one of the Studios. Look in a Gallery or two. Enjoy the ever changing art that fills Hallways. Check out the Surprising Stairwells. cSPACE is continually a feast for the Visual Senses. I always leave here feeling full of creative energy to take back to my Copper Lizard Studio projects.
Don’t forget to check out their roster of on-going events and openings. Before Covid restrictions there was always something new and worthwhile going on. I have seen Gallery Openings, Yoga on the Front Lawn, Farmers Market, Craft Opportunities for Families and plenty of other happenings. I’m sure that when we can all gather again these creative ventures will start back up. I hope to see you at one of these events.
Two Great Galleries at cSPACE King Edward
Shona Rae Studios and The Blackboard Gallery
1721 – 29th Avenue SW #225 Shonarae.com blackboardgallery.com
Hidden Treasure Alert! Make sure to find this place when you are at cSPACE King Edward. Shona Rae Studios is a working studio space that showcases the work of a number of incredible Canadian fine art jewellers. Whether you are looking for a perfect piece of hand-crafted jewelry, wanting to commission something special or just want see some remarkable, cutting-edge art jewelry, this is the place to go.
Another fun component is The Blackboard Gallery where rotating exhibitions of two-dimensional artwork are presented on “The Wall”. This small space is always packed with joyful originality.
Shona Rae Studios and The Blackboard Gallery are run by the amazing jewelry artist Shona Rae. She describes herself as a Madwoman Extraordinaire. I think this only touches the surface of what she is capable of. I have never seen so much creative energy packed into one person. Shona Rae just sparks with innovative and imaginative ideas. I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Alberta Craft Council
1721 – 29th Avenue SW, Suite #280 www.albertacraft.ab.ca
Another great spot to visit while you are at cSPACE King Edward is the Alberta Craft Council Gallery and Craft Shop. The Alberta Craft Council is the Provincial Arts Service Organization that develops, promotes, and advocates for fine craft in Alberta. Basically, this is the organization that helps support Alberta Craft Artists in a wide variety of ways. For many years there was only representation in Edmonton. I am so happy that there is now such a good showcase for Craft Artists in Calgary.
Rotating shows in the Gallery are thought-provoking, exciting and often extremely beautiful. The Shop is packed with a wide variety of fine craft. Remember to Bring your Wallet. They feature work of the best established and emerging Alberta craft artists. Luckily, items carried in the shop are listed at all price points. I always find gifts here for myself and others.
New Gallery/Shop in Marda Loop
Arts Aqui
1903 – 34th Avenue SW Artsaqui.ca www.facebook.com/pg/artsaqui
Arts Aquí is an exciting new gallery shop located in a small sun-filled character house in Marda Loop. This is a carefully curated boutique of loveliness. Their products include a variety of Crafts including Metal Work, Ceramics and Basketry. You will also find Fine Arts Painting and Prints. But don’t expect the ordinary. The owner, Theuna has an eye for the unusual and quirky and fun. She features work from local artists and other carefully selected items that are guaranteed to make you smile.
This lovely little shop is always a joy to visit. You never know what you will discover. While you are there, be sure to look for Copper Lizard Studio items. Arts Aqui carries a variety of my recycled, post-consumer and re-imaged metal artwork. You can view my sculptures (including Tinge below), metal collages and Luckys (Metal Accessories) in a gallery style setting.
Two Incredibly Diverse Galleries in Inglewood
Esker Foundation
1011 – 9th Avenue SE 4th Floor www.facebook.com/EskerFoundation www.eskerfoundation.com
Esker Foundation is a privately funded contemporary art gallery located in Inglewood. This gallery has a number of parts including a full gallery space upstairs and a street level display window. Which means, even if you can’t visit the Gallery right now, you can walk by and get a innovative eyeful.
I really take pleasure in the diverse and slightly out-there art that I find here. The shows I have seen make me feel transported to New York or some other large city’s cultural hub. Talk about inspiration. Esker Foundation supports ground-breaking new work and ideas. In other words, the art they show in this alternative exhibition venue is widely varied and guaranteed to be interesting. I mean, not the least bit boring. Go with an open mind and you will enjoy the space and the creativity.
Moonstone Creation
1219 – 10th Avenue SE www.moonstonecreation.ca www.facebook.com/moonstonecreation/
Moonstone Creation is situated n a small house in Inglewood. Don’t let the size fool you. They carry an extensive selection of masterly crafted indigenous creations. This is a great place to find First Nations art, crafts, jewellery and clothing. You can also find a well stocked selection of colourful beads. Best of all is that they always have time to share info with you about the makers. I love all the art work here. It is all so well crafted and so beautiful.
But what I love even more is their underlying policy and criteria. All of the artwork that they sell has to be NATIVE made or the art has to benefit the original artist (like printed items with royalties). This insures that when you purchase art work here, you know you are supporting native artists and artisans. It’s a Win/Win situation, you get something hand-crafted and wonderful and a First Nations Artist benefits.
One Fun Northwest Calgary Gallery
Ruberto Ostberg Gallery
2108 – 18th Street NW www.ruberto-ostberg.com
Ruberto Ostberg Gallery is a favorite haunt of corporate buyers, collectors and drop-in community visitors. When you visit, you can view the ever-changing exhibits. The exhibits often feature local talent which allows you to become more familiar with Calgary Artists. You can talk to artists at work. And if you get inspired, you can even take art classes through the Purple Door Art Studio.
The Gallery is located on a quiet residential street and can provide a relaxing spin on the Canadian contemporary arts scene. At other times you can find the place hopping both inside and out with Artist-Run Pancake Breakfasts and live music.
Have Fun Exploring
Don’t just take my word for it on how creatively inspiring these hot spots can be. I hope you get a chance to see them all for yourself and have the opportunity to appreciate another side of this oil and gas city. Have fun exploring these hidden gems. Who knows, maybe I will run into you at one of them.
If you know of other amazing creative spots in Calgary I would love to hear about them. Please post in the comments section.
What a great article, Susanah! I am looking forward to checking some of these gems out next time I am in Calgary.
Thank you so much, Kirstin. I appreciate your kind comments.