I support the arts, and I love exploring museums and galleries, wherever I go. So I was thrilled to…read morepass this contemporary art gallery many times in my travels in Yaletown (my new neighborhood, as we moved here six months ago). I finally got the chance the other day to go in and check it out. I know this gallery has various "off-site" locations (such as at the Yaletown-Roundhouse station), but I am only reviewing this site on Nelson Street. It's very small. There are two exhibition rooms, with a small ante-room by the front door with published materials (books and flyers) and a few eclectic knick-knacks. The actual exhibition rooms contain artwork installations that rotate regularly, so every 3-5 months or so, the exhibits will change. When I visited, there was a screen projector in one room, projecting scenes of waterfalls and/or clouds and sunrises and sunsets on the walls. (I forget the artist's name). The other room contained an installation by Andrew Dadson highlighting plant forms and light. I really enjoyed the Dadson exhibit, and I read up on the exhibit and the artist off the complementary flyers provided. My kid and I liked how admission to the gallery was free, and we enjoyed checking out the two artists' works on display. But the site and exhibits are so small, it took us ten minutes to see it all. I think most people would spend between 5-15 minutes here, I say this so people reading this don't make this gallery an end destination and drive here specifically to check it out. Better to add it to your list with other things to do in Yaletown.

Came here with a group of friends to check out the Deanna Bowen's "A Harlem Nocturne" exhibit with…read moresome friends. It's a definitely a more intimate gallery, and while the architecture may not be anything to phone home about, I thought it was really nice. Very clean, well lit, and yes, you guessed it -- contemporary. While the Deanna Bowen exhibit was great, another really stand-out feature for me was the little "Resources" nook. I spent about 30 minutes there, waiting for my punctually-challenged friends, so I really got into things. Great selection of books, prints, and artwork, most available for purchase, about or relating to the various exhibits. The little TV playing the loop of five or six videos, again, relating to the various exhibits, was a great for either an introductory or deeper look into the displayed artists or their exhibits. It's a chic, little gallery. A great place to check out if you've got an hour to kill downtown. I'd absolutely go again!

The Vancouver Art Gallery has the feels where from the outside it looks like it can be as extensive…read moreas one of the large metropolitan museums you would expect from big cities. However, once you enter you see the exhibits are a bit more subdued and it isn't as large as it seems from the outside. Still, that shouldn't discourage you from having a good time and getting a big old "VAG" hand stamp on you to experience this art gallery. The exterior of this museum is all Victorian in the scope of its columns and use of concrete materials. It could be a museum perfectly placed in any other Commonwealth country. Entering inside you go through a long hallway with a gift shop at the very end with a good selection of art related and niche items to buy. On one side of the hallway are lockers and restrooms. On the other is a stairway up to their cafe/restaurant as well as the entrance to the actual galleries for the museum. It doesn't feel aged and instead quite modern and efficiently designed. As most museums, there is a rotation of different exhibits and featured artists. During my visit one of the most visually stunning pieces was an atrium area with curving staircases on both sides with a rainbow pattern of waves on the ground. It was a nice visual and interactive piece and definitely one meant for social media. Continuing on I enjoyed seeing lots of interactive art pieces. One was a prompt on the wall where you could put sticky notes on the wall to answer the question. Another similar piece was found but instead of sticky notes you could hang pieces of paper with words or artwork as your response to their prompt. One of my favorite parts of the Vancouver Art Gallery was their offerings of easy to carry foldable chairs. This meant if you really found something you wanted to spend more time on you had a chair to help sit for a while. I wish more museums had this amenity. First Fridays of each month means free admission, though it is first come first serve so you might be waiting a while. But a free admission to this museum felt worth it. However, if you have to pay to come in unless they have a specific piece of art or artist featured that you like it might feel a bit expensive for the price of admission. Either way, museums are a great insight into any city and if you want to experience the creative side of Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery is a good place to visit while exploring the city.

Coming from Chicago, this Art Gallery is on the smaller side. However with that being said - they…read moremade the best with the space they have with some interesting pieces. We really enjoyed the variety.

Last month I went to New Media Gallery to see their newest exhibit, "Master", which was scheduled…read moreto run from September 14 to December 1, 2024. The exhibit consisted of eight works by six artists, all of which paid tribute to Alfred Hitchcock. The works on display were: -Sliced Classics by J Tobias Anderson (2003 - 2024, Sweden) -De Mortuis by Lee Henderson (2011, Canada) -Übermensch by Scott Billings (2018, Canada) -Psychedelic Lock by Daniele Puppi (2016, Italy) -4 Vertigo by Les LeVeque (2000, USA) -Prediction by Gregory Chatonsky (2015, Canada/France) -Vertigo@home by Gregory Chatonsky (2015, Canada/France) -The Kiss 3: The Recursive Cinema by Gregory Chatonsky (2022, Canada/France) "Sliced Classics" consisted of eight screens, each screen displaying the sliced edges from various scenes of a Hitchcock movie. "De Mortuis" were clips from the "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" edited so that it appeared as if Alfred Hitchcock were delivering a speech about TV and human mortality. It was shown on an old-fashioned television, but unfortunately I couldn't make out what was being said due to all the sound from the other exhibits. "Übermensch" was about Hitchcock's movie "Rope" (which I hadn't heard of). The movie takes places in one room, and the room depicted in the movie was made into a mini 3D model which is rotated on a robotic arm and projected onto a screen. The meaning behind this piece was beyond my intellect. "Psychedelic Lock" consisted of two screens, side by side, showing the movie "Psycho". One screen played the original 1960 version and the other played the 1998 remake. Both films were playing simultaneously and the screens bounced back and forth between each one. The exhibit was near the gallery's emergency exit, and the curator explained that the artist intended it to be near an exit for some reason -- the exit sign and door was part of the art. "4 Vertigo" were clips from the movie "Vertigo" sped up, flipped around, and superimposed on each other, giving the sense of.... you guessed it, vertigo. "Prediction" showed scenes from the movie Vertigo, and as the movie played, a computer tried to predict the emotions of the actors on the screen. On the screen were a list of emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happy, sad, surprise, neutral) and in real time a number, indicating the likeliness of that emotion, changed, depending on the actors' expressions. "Vertigo@home" shows a 2015 Google street view of the route taken in Vertigo. (I haven't seen the film but there is a scene where a man in a car is following a woman.) "The Kiss 3: The Recursive Cinema" is the film Vertigo being run through AI, with the famous kissing scene being featured. Unfortunately, on Monday December 2, I received an email from New Media Gallery saying that after ten years, the curators are moving on and the gallery is closing for good. They extended the exhibit until today, Saturday December 7, and from 3 to 6pm they are having a farewell event. I will be sad to see New Media Gallery close, and I wish Sarah and Gordon, the curators, all the best. [Yelp collections: Museums and Art Galleries; Cheap Thrills; Being a tourist in my own city]

Thank you to the lovely Jasmine A. who has been talking up New Media Gallery for weeks and then…read morebringing me here to see the exhibit. New Media features contemporary art and the exhibits rotate (sometimes quite literally!) and are here for a short time and then onwards. We were here in October and got to see "Measure" which is all about the movement of day into night, the cycles of the Sun and moon, the rotation of the Earth and the tools we use to measure time. Sadly, this exhibit ends on December 10 2023. Something new and exciting will follow. The Earth Spin Orbit piece was pretty clever as the laser follows the Moon around the Earth. The Time Dilation artwork was hypnotizing to watch the rotation. And I watched more than one cycle of Semiconductor as it followed the Sun rising and setting. Don't miss New Media Gallery. This is a great art and culture. [Review 20888 overall - 64 in British Columbia - 1872 of 2023.]

This gallery was a pleasant stop amid the bars, restaurants and retail shops in Lonsdale Quay…read more Romilly greeted us and cheerfully gave us the history on the artwork and sculptures displayed. This is a wonderful free museum dedicated to indigenous people. Moderate selection of art to choose from. While most of it was $$$, it is definitely worth the investment. Definitely recommend popping in.

I rarely fail to come visit this absolute goldmine of Native American art. Fantastic, friendly, and…read moreknowledgeable staff especially Mark. Always interesting and informative conversation to learn about the artists and the interpretations of their outstanding art. Very highly recommended. I have built an extensive collection from here over a decade of visits!

I loved this exhibit…read more My artsy friend and I have a tradition of going to art exhibits and art festivals and artisan markets, usually on opening day. After going to the Immersive Van Gogh show a month earlier and enjoying it so, we both got tix to this Picasso show, also on opening day. We both did not expect to enjoy this show as much as the Van Gogh one, as we both prefer the art of Van Gogh to Picasso, yet we both were SO surprised to have loved this show even MORE than the Van Gogh one! Despite being fairly knowledgable in the artists' works, we both learned SO much from the Picasso exhibit and left the show appreciating his genius and mastery of his art so much more than we did prior visiting this exhibit. As with the Van Gogh show, we were both impressed with the COVID safety measures in place here at the Convention Center, and the fact that they only allow "x" amount of people in the exhibit at any given time means that it will never get crowded. We enjoyed the informational boards in the room prior to entering the "immersive" projection area, as they give you, the visitor, a good amount of information about the works you are about to see and the background behind them. Unlike at the Van Gogh show, here at the Picasso exhibit, they also used the whole length of the side wall to project and post information about Picasso's history and evolution of style and technique and pictures of works. All the other visitors who were in the same room with us were polite and didn't crowd us, as we all moved along at a good pace. The fact that they used the wall in addition to the standing information boards increased the amount of time we visitors spent in this large ante-room and also allowed for better circulation of foot traffic. Once in the main, cavernous projection room, it was, like, wow. You truly ARE immersed into Picasso's world. (The setup in this main room is exactly like that of the Van Gogh show). There are angled screen "islands" free-standing in the middle of the room, like off-kilter pyramids, and the paintings - and close-up details of paintings - are projected all around you. On the walls, angled screens, on the floors, with vibrant colors, and close-ups of details. You can practically feel the texture of the brushstrokes, as the images ebb and flow and stream around you on all sides. To fully experience it, it is best to slowly walk through the room, standing in one place for a few minutes, and walk to another spot, experiencing the images from a variety of angles. (There were a few folks who were seated on chairs in one area of the room, so I assume if one needs to sit, chairs are available if you ask the attendants). There is classical music playing which is in synch with the flowing images. I loved how at some points there is a Spanish guitar instrumental playing while the images depict Picasso's Spanish works, but there is a subtle transition to French classical music when the images segue to the artist's works done while he lived in the Mediterranean area, in south France. This is truly an all-sensory experience. The only thing missing is piped-in scents! After you walk through the projection exhibit, there is a small pop-up gift store with objects for sale (all Picasso related, of course). Like any museum store, the merchandise is extremely pricey but all of high quality. There were shirts and notecards and jewelry and more. I coveted an amazing decorative pillow for my sofa with a Picasso portrait embroidered on it (it was phenomenal - but oh so so expensive. I sadly left empty-handed but will always have my memories of this fabulous show!

My husband chose to visit this location and I'm glad he did! He is a Southwest Native American art…read moreconnoisseur, so it was great to watch him experience the exquisite northwest Native American art at this fine gallery. We were especially intrigued with the masks. This is quality art with the appropriate $$$$$ prices. Sales personnel very knowledgeable about NW art and artists. They also have totem poles, jewelry, etc. This is the place to go for great NW aboriginal artwork.

This is such a fun place to browse through. I suppose it is a tourist spot, but I enjoy looking at…read morethe items. Growing up quite a bit south, totem poles were just items in old history books. So I find their presence here meaningful and incredibly artistic. The staff here is friendly, but also allows you browse in peace. Prices are high, as one expects in a gallery, and further in a gallery aimed at tourists.

Visited the Polygon Gallery near Lonsdale Quay and The Shipyards area. Lucky enough to see the…read moreexhibit of Vancouver photographer Greg Girard. All photographic works were by Greg Girard, courtesy of the artist and Monte Clark Gallery. Curated by Reid Shier, Director and Elliott Ramsey, Curator. It was a brilliant exhibition not to be missed, showcasing Greg Girard's collection of works from 1972-2026. The exhibition runs until October 25.

My friend and I visited this gallery late last night and we both were blown away by the gift shop…read moreinside! (We unfortunately did not check out the actual gallery or exhibition as we were there just 30 minutes before its closing at 9pm). The gallery gift shop is fantastic. I admit, we are suckers for museum gift shops, and this was just like a smaller version. They had gorgeous artisan jewelry, artsy household decor accessories, clever and unique games, candles and potions, greeting cards, etc., all the types of high-end and clever and artsy items you'd find at most art museum stores. Prices are high, yes, but most items are unique, that you'd not find elsewhere, and are of high quality, and support artists and the art gallery. Also, they do have a section of sale items here, too. I really appreciated how family-friendly the staff is here, and how they have programs and items designed to get kids interested in art. Case in point: at the counter they advertised free kits for kids, to make these AWESOME, cool articulated puppets. These puppets are super neat, made from thick, colored cardboard, with funky graphics on each section, with each section attached to each other by metal rivets or brads, so the joints are all articulated and move. Super fun. And FREE! My friend asked for one for her toddler niece and the lady at the center asked if she wanted more than one kit. So my friend got three kits, for her niece and her little friends. I asked for two kits, for my two kids (who are older, but would enjoy them) and the lady said, sure, no problem! So I got a few of these fun puppet kits, too. I thought that was amazingly nice. I should note, too, that this building is gorgeous, with clean lines and infused with light as the walls are all glass. And they have these comfy, cozy, round cobalt blue sofas by the window wall facing the water. Perfect for reading or just getting some sun rays and taking in the view. Lovely lovely building.

The Bill Reid Gallery downtown is a premier art gallery show casing aboriginal / indigenous art…read morefrom the Northwest Coast. Bill Reid was a master artist (of many talents) who brought aboriginal art to the public & the world in way prior to his works were aboriginal art was mostly ignored or never really seen in importance to Canada's history. One of his most famous pieces is located at YVR Vancouver International Airport - the famous Jade Canoe sculpture. It has appeared in many travelers photos as they pass through the airport - one not to miss. The Bill Reid Gallery is small museum but is a must check out, whenever you're in downtown Vancouver. Do not expect the same experience like at the Natural History Museum (NYC or London) nor the Met, which requires hours of time to get through. The BRG is way smaller. Budget to spend at least an hour here. I enjoyed the displays & was actually quite impressed with what I saw. If you're heavy into art & native history, I'd highly recommend a visit out to the University of British Columbia to check out the Museum of Anthropology. See my review.

Nice place to learn about indigenous art. Kind of dull if you aren't interested in art or history…read more Nice gift shop at the end, and some beautiful totem poles and wood statues.