Creative culture: Public art galleries in Calgary

Calgary’s many public art galleries feature a wide array of work from sculpture and multimedia digital installations to paintings and hand-blown glass pieces. At the galleries listed here, you’ll find a selection of constantly changing exhibitions that feature both contemporary and historic artworks.

By Kallen Law

Truck Gallery

1

2009 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0K4

• Phone Number
  • 403-261-7702Primary
• Directions

Run by the Second Story Art Society, TRUCK is a gallery that holds more than just visual art. Yes, it displays contemporary art, but also holds artist talks, lectures and more at its space on 10th Avenue Southwest. The gallery also presents mobile exhibits in its road-ready CAMPER (Contemporary Art Mobile Public Exhibition Rig) and in its Plus-15 window display in the Arts Commons building.

Glenbow Museum

2

130 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0P3

• Phone Number
  • 403-268-4100Primary
• Directions

Housing the largest art collection in Western Canada, Glenbow Museum features a changing array of exhibitions and art programs. The museum often presents art exhibits that draw from its rich collection as well as presenting high-calibre historic and contemporary touring exhibits.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• History and culture come to life at Calgary museums
• The six most interesting museums in Calgary

Illingworth Kerr Gallery

3

1407 14 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4R3

• Phone Number
  • 403-284-7680Primary
• Directions

Featuring the work of international artists and designers, the Illingworth Kerr Gallery is located in the Alberta College of Art and Design and is open to both students and the general public. To view student work, be sure to check out the Marion Nicoll Gallery and the rest of the nine student-run exhibition spaces and pop-up galleries on the ACAD campus.

Stride Gallery

4

1004 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2M7

• Phone Number
  • 403-262-8507Primary
• Directions

Stride Gallery has been showcasing some of the best in contemporary art for three decades. It typically features around six exhibitions per year in each of its three spaces including a Plus-15 Window in the Arts Commons building. Be sure to check out the gallery’s library, which features a wide variety of catalogues, monographs, artist publications and more.

Museum Of Contemporary Art

5

104-800 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2M3

• Phone Number
  • 403-262-1737Primary
• Directions

The former Art Gallery of Calgary has joined with the Institute of Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA) and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MOCA) to form Contemporary Calgary. Showcasing emerging and established contemporary artists, the society also features residencies, artist talks and more. Contemporary Calgary operates two spaces: C1 is located on Stephen Avenue Walk, and C2 in City Hall.

Nickle Galleries

• Phone Number
  • 403-220-7234Primary

Nickle Galleries (formerly known as the Nickle Arts Museum) has been focused on showcasing the best in contemporary work by Western Canadian artists in its three galleries. Also featuring extensive rug and coin collections, Nickle Galleries is an important part of the University of Calgary’s cultural life and is open to the public.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• History and culture come to life at Calgary museums

Esker Foundation

6

444-1011 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0H7

• Phone Number
  • 403-930-2490Primary
• Directions

With a main exhibition space that features contemporary art displays and a project space that lets artists, both established and new, develop projects that engage the community, the Esker Foundation Contemporary Art Gallery is an integral part of the Inglewood community. Its main space features three exhibitions a year, while the project space displays four per year.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

• Thrifty but fun: Cheap date nights in Calgary

Untitled Arts Society

7

319 10 Ave Sw Floor 4, Calgary, AB T2R 0A5

• Phone Number
  • 403-262-7911Primary
• Directions

Focusing on emerging contemporary artists, the Untitled Arts Society’s contemporary art space presents art exhibits that push formal and conceptual boundaries. Also featured are workshops, talks, lectures and community projects.

More from Kallen Law

Kallen Law is a freelance writer based in Calgary. In his spare time, he likes to watch movies, play board games and go to the occasional live music performance. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram, where his adventures are much more interesting than this biography implies.

• My Twitter
• My Instagram

Martial arts classes

Studying martial arts is a unique and engaging way to get fit. Calgary schools offer karate, taekwondo, judo, ninjutsu as well as several other disciplines. Contact any of these schools to find the martial arts practice that suits you best.

Turn up the flavour: Where to find specialty sauces

The sauce makes the meal. Whether you’re after cooking sauces such as pasta sauce, bottled barbecue sauces and marinades or exotic condiments to dress up everyday dishes, the independent grocery stores, supermarkets and food shops listed here have what you’re looking for as well as much more.

Sweet-sipping bubble tea cafés

An Asian drink made with black or green tea mixed with fruit juice or milk, bubble tea gets its name from jelly-like tapioca balls that are added to the drink. It’s a delicious treat that’s available in seemingly endless varieties and is often served with snacks. Find bubble tea at the following cafés and dessert houses.