Art in the Peace Region
Art in the Peace Region
What do you think of when you hear “art gallery”?
It might be stone pillars and musty old museums, but modern art galleries are a whole lot more inviting than that. Every big city and small town around the world produce art that’s worth admiring, and Grande Prairie and the Peace Region are no exception. There are plenty of different art styles and collections to experience, from commercial galleries to nonprofit cultural centres. Bring the kids, get a boost of inspiration, and make some memories to last a lifetime!
Galleries and Cultural Centres in the
Grande Prairie Region
Photo Credit: Jeremy Derksen
Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is well-known for promoting the creation, conservation, and sharing of art, with 7 gallery spaces and multiple other collections and creation spaces for historical and contemporary art. Its art education programs encourage diversity and creative learning, ultimately enriching the entire community in the process.
The gallery exhibits local, provincial, national and international artists, and is a vital art resource for artists, writers, curators, and the public in our region. You can visit their innovative Art at Home program on their website. The gallery strives to deliver programs year-round, including giving tours of featured exhibitions to school groups and other community organizations, which include an instructed art activity in their classroom. Groups can also choose to partake in an art retreat with more time to freely experience the exhibits. Exhibited artists also visit the gallery to participate in artists’ talks, curator talks, and workshops. Additionally, on the second level of the Art Gallery, you will find the Carlstorm Family Green Space, a free interactive and self-directed studio space for all ages. Since September 2009, they have dedicated space in the Art Gallery to the interactive exploration of and response to art.
Visitors are always invited to contribute the piece(s) they make in the Carlstrom Family Green Space to our community art projects. These collaborative artworks allow everyone to participate and for visitors to view them change and grow over time.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Derksen
The Centre for Creative Arts, Grande Prairie
https://creativecentre.ca/classes
If you want a unique Grande Prairie experience, it doesn’t get much more appealing than the Centre for Creative Arts, with 24 new shows per year and a gift shop that is stocked with 100% locally made art and craft items. With classes, 2 galleries, and free admission, it’s an excellent place to spend some time for the whole family.
Features: Drop-in studio use for members · Free admission to exhibitions · Gift shop featuring local artists · Classes in painting, drawing, pottery, and carving · Healing Arts Program Initiative · Art camp · Grande Prairie Figure Drawing Club & Artists North Group
Grant Berg Gallery
Open Tuesday – Saturday
https://www.grantberggallery.com/
Owned and managed by local artist Grant Berg, this commercial gallery represents roughly 45 artists at any given time, with a collection that includes art in many forms – acrylic and oil paintings, carving and sculptures, and much more. The gallery is in downtown Grande Prairie, Alberta, at the 214 Place.
Features: Art openings (Meet the Artist) · Free admission · Custom framing · Artwork for purchase · Gift shop
Grande Prairie Museum & Heritage Village
https://cityofgp.com/parks-recreation/facilities-venues/museums
The Grande Prairie Museum opened in August 1970 with a focus on preserving the pioneer history of the area – and they have done an incredible job, with approximately 55,000 items in the Museum’s overall collection. The museum offers a high level of accessibility and is suitable for all ages, featuring both temporary and permanent exhibits, items from the prehistoric area, and spotlights on the first homesteads of the Peace Region, as well as modern selections.
Features: Free admission · Exhibitions · Interactive gallery · Programs · Virtual museum · Gift shop
Phillip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
The Peace Region is famous for its rich fossil beds, and these specimens make the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum a 10-acre, world-class facility in the heart of the Peace Country. The museum features extensive gallery spaces with unique architectural construction, two classrooms, the 60-seat Aykroyd Family Theater, research and collections areas, the Dine-O-Saur restaurant, the Kaleidosaur gift shop, an outdoor discovery fossil walk and large outdoor playground. No matter what age you are, few things can capture the imagination like coming face-to-face with some of the past’s largest creatures!
Features: Tours · Exhibitions · Adult admission $14, children $7 · Programs · Summer camps · Gift shop
Beaverlodge Arts and Culture Society
http://beaverlodgegallery.com/
This cultural centre lies 30 minutes west of Grande Prairie and features a lovely tearoom, art gallery, gift shop, some large potters and weaver studio and more – all in a historic building that was originally the town’s hospital. The Cultural Centre is also home of the community’s archives, their Historical Association, artists, musicians, and a picture framer.
Features: Pottery & weavers studio · Free admission · Gift shop · Art club · Framing · Classes
Teepee Creek Museum
Open May to September on Sundays and Wednesdays
http://spiritofthepeace.ca/our-museums/teepee-creek-museum/
The Teepee Creek Museum, located near Grande Prairie in the southern part of the Peace River Country of NW Alberta, is a relatively new community museum in an agricultural area. They feature pioneer homes, household items, farms, and logging equipment.
Features: Art and craft programs · Portrait gallery of ‘Peace Country People’ · Book-exchange facility · Theatre
Photo Credit: Jeremy Derksen
Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park
The trading history of northwest Alberta is rich with stories of frontier life. Experience this history through four original, authentically restored and furnished buildings, complete with stories of Indigenous people, the fur trade, and mission life that their historic interpreters are waiting to share with you.
Features: Historical education programs · Paid admission $2 – $5 · Campground · Gift shop · Free parking
Art Galleries of Northern Alberta
Dawson Creek Art Gallery
Open Tuesday – Saturdays
The South Peace Art Society operates the Dawson Creek Art Gallery as an inclusive, creative, cultural centre for all members of the community and the BC Peace Region, on behalf of the City of Dawson Creek. The public gallery is dedicated to the presentation, interpretation and advancement of the visual arts and crafts, featuring year-round local, regional and touring exhibitions.
Features: Gallery group tours · Art classes · Artist residency · Exhibition space · Art rentals · Gift shop
Fairview Fine Arts Centre
https://www.fairviewfinearts.ca/
The Fairview Fine Arts Centre focuses on providing learning opportunities, information sharing, exhibits and workspaces to everyone interested in the arts.
Features: · Exhibition space · Free admission · Pottery guild · Painting guild · Fiber art guild · Art lessons
Do you know of a hidden gem art gallery in the region that you’d like to highlight? Are you featured in one of the facilities listed here, and want to spread the word about your exhibit? Let us know on social media and we can help promote the wonderful skills and culture of Grande Prairie and its people!