Art stories: the latest at Calgary galleries – Calgary Herald

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The COVID-19 pandemic has not made it an easy time to be an artist or a gallery owner. But across Calgary and beyond, gallery owners and artists are finding creative online ways to get their art to collectors and fans. Social media, web tours, artist talks via video — they’re reaching new and familiar audiences, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all around the world.

Ian Loch, co-owner of Loch Gallery, says that when the pandemic started last year, he and his team were quick to adapt. They reached out to their artists, asking them to consider offering studio tours online; the gallery team even offered a template to use.

“It was a business endeavour, but it was an emotional one, too,” Loch says. “And the reaction we had from some of our clients was quite overwhelming.”

Many longtime collectors had never seen the spaces where their favourite artists worked. For others, the studio tours
brought an entirely new look at what artists do — and where. Although galleries can now open to limited numbers (pending changes to restrictions), Loch is still continuing the concept, offering online gallery tours, artists talks and more.

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“You walk through a gallery virtually and look at the art on the wall, and you can start to picture it in your own home,” Loch says. “It’s interesting to see how the art world is changing.”

Loch isn’t alone. Other galleries across Calgary and beyond also offer virtual and real-life art experiences. Looking for in-person visits? As of press time, all are open, but call ahead for an appointment.

Canada House Gallery (Banff)

Located in Banff, Canada House’s latest show features contemporary and vintage sculptures by Inuit Canadian artists including Mayoreak Ashoona, Charlie Ugyuk and Samson Nastapoka. Go online for a virtual gallery tour, which
takes you around the space, and gives information on each artist represented by the gallery. canadahouse.com

Herringer Kiss Gallery

Calgary artist Brian Flynn’s show Recognized is at Herringer Kiss, now through March 27. Flynn grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to Canada, and his work deals with his family’s — and his town’s — political past. Also at Herringer Kiss, you can watch artist interviews, buy original works, download art for your desktop or take a virtual gallery stroll. There are even e-zines and colouring pages for kids and adults. Take a pic of your page and email it to the gallery. The team may share it on their social media channels. herringerkissgallery.com

Jarvis Hall Gallery

Binhi at Buhol, new work by Calgary artist Marigold Santos, is on view now, both online and in real life. Then take
a digital tour of Santos’ studio; you’ll see new tattoos, what she’s reading, even the plants that thrive in her studio light. Santos isn’t the only artist featured online at Jarvis Hall. You can check out other artists’ studios, get help with
custom framing, or visit the gallery online 24 hours a day, every day. jarvishallgallery.com

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Loch Gallery

With a lineup that includes legendary Canadian artists — Emily Carr, Lawren Harris and others — as well as contemporary living artists, Loch Gallery has something for everyone. So does the gallery’s online presence: talks and studio tours with the likes of Ron Bolt, Shannon Craig Morphew and Bogdan Molea, plus gallery tours and information about buying, selling and even leasing art. lochgallery.com

Masters Gallery

As soon as lockdown began last year, the Masters Gallery team launched Art Stories, an online video series where artists and art experts from across Canada speak about works. They’re doing regular Instagram stories and virtual gallery tours on the website, too. Check out Montreal abstract artist Jean-Paul Jerome’s colourful paintings, on view starting March 25. mastersgalleryltd.com

Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art

Newzones has long had a major digital and online presence, including art photos, artist bios, an online store and exhibit videos. The team is also listed on Artsy, an online sales platform for artists and galleries. This spring, the gallery is focusing on group shows, including works by award-winning Calgary photographer Dianne Bos, Vancouver’s Michael Batty, Toronto’s Virginia Mak and others. newzones.com

Paul Kuhn Gallery

Four Artists — a show of four female artists from around the world, including Dutch-American artist Tanja Rector, British artist Eleanor Wood, Montreal’s Robbin Deyo and Calgary’s own Cassie Suche — is on now. Find a list of artists and artworks, plus installation photos and information on upcoming shows online. paulkuhngallery.com

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TrepanierBaer

With a YouTube channel, online studio visits and gallery tours, a big social media presence and even short films, TrepanierBaer has found innovative ways to reach art lovers around the world. Check out Black American artist
Alicia Henry’s first show in a Canadian commercial gallery or explore Calgary artist Ron Moppett’s colourful work. trepanierbaer.com

VivianeArt

Virtual exhibition tours, an online store, Instagram exhibition openings, even virtual art fairs and a YouTube channel — the VivianeArt team has a huge digital presence for art lovers to enjoy. Editions, the first show of 2021, features limited-edition works from seven artists, working in photography, video and printmaking. Aida Muluneh is on that list; she began her artistic career as a student at Western Canada High School and now lives and works in Ethiopia. vivianeart.com