Background
Gainsborough Galleries has been in Calgary since 1923 in various locations around the city and with different owners. Current owners Robert and Marie Wood have been with Gainsborough Galleries since 1990 and the gallery has been in its current location on 5th Avenue S.W. for just over 20 years.
The space
The gallery is a 3,000-square-foot space, plus an equally big storage space in its basement, located in downtown Calgary. According to Robert Wood, the space is large and open but “subdivided into niche nooks.”
“We also pride ourselves on being a friendly gallery,” he adds. “Anyone should feel welcome when they come into this space.”
What you’ll find
Gainsborough Galleries offers a wide range of artwork from paintings to bronze or stone sculpture to glass work by younger as well as more established artists. The gallery usually hosts exhibitions from September to December, as well as a Christmas show and several one-artist shows throughout the year. Gainsborough Galleries also offers consulting services for shoppers. And according to Marie and Robert Wood, you can take home a few pieces of art to try in out in your space before purchasing. The gallery includes a selection of artwork under $1,000.
Artists to note
Works by international artist Tinyan, Saskatchewan-born artist Shannon Ford, and Calgary artist Ted Raftery are some of the art you can find at Gainsborough Galleries.
Know before you go
According to Robert and Marie Wood, Gainsborough Galleries is home to hundreds of artwork kept in its basement. “If you happen to come in and see work by an artist you like, ask to see more because we have lots more by almost every artist,” Robert Wood says. He also suggests browsing through Gainsborough Galleries website and they can set aside the pieces you want to take a look at, although he says that it’s not necessary.
441 5 Ave S.W., 403-262-3715, gainsboroughgalleries.com