Find Yourself in Art, Regina Galleries
Most often referred to as the Queen City, Regina is a city rich in history and heritage. Located on Treaty 4 territory, Regina is home to attractions like the beautiful Wascana Place, the historic Legislative building and is also the home of many charming and eclectic fine art galleries.
As we continue our tour of this magnificent province, we first find ourselves at the Assiniboia Gallery on 2266 Smith Street where Jeremy and Mary Weimer have been owners of the shop for 24 years. Located in an extensively renovated and expanded circa 1905 house, the gallery is within easy walking distance of Regina’s downtown hotels, shops and restaurants. It features over 2,000 square feet of exhibition space on the main floor and a full service, professional framing department on the lower level.
“We really enjoy owning a business and being part of the business community in Regina,” says Jeremy. “It’s a privilege to get to help clients find a great piece of art for their home or office. Connecting the right piece of art with the right client is a joy!”
Assiniboia Gallery showcases contemporary and traditional works of art by established and emerging visual artists from across Canada. The gallery’s selection includes original watercolour, oil, and acrylic paintings as well as encaustic works, sterling silver jewellery, blown glass, ceramics, sculpture and photography. Artwork is exhibited in group and solo shows throughout the year in the gallery.
Along with representing amazing artists, Assiniboia Gallery also offers a full range of fine art services. They can pack artwork and ship anywhere in the world. They offer installation services that are a great way to make sure your space looks great if you’ve recently moved or you are looking to refresh your space. The gallery also does custom framing for canvas, paper and photography and also has certified fine art appraiser on staff that can appraise your art collection for your insurance needs.
Mary and Jeremy’s approach has been to showcase original, Canadian fine art, help people find just the right piece for their homes or offices and to provide exceptional service. It’s all about making the purchase of artwork a great experience for the buyer. “Even though we are a small city, Regina has a bustling artistic and cultural scene,“ says Jeremy. “Many great artists from all genres call Saskatchewan home. We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Assiniboia Gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
As we start heading west away from the downtown, we find ourselves at the doors of the Nouveau Gallery. It opened in 2005 under the ownership of Meagan Perreault at 2146 Albert Street, where they remain to this day.
Housed in a beautifully renovated storefront right on Albert street in Regina, the gallery brushes the edge of both downtown and the historic Cathedral neighbourhood. During your visit, you will be likely to cross paths with the very friendly resident greeter, Monet the cat. Nouveau is unique in the fact that the owner actually lives in the space and her living room is part of the gallery. All of the artwork has room to breathe in this bright and airy space and frequent visits are encouraged as exhibitions are changed often.
“We try to take the intimidation out of art,” explains Gallery Associate Sharon Eisbrenner. “It’s very accessible price-wise but still unique and fabulous.”
Nouveau Gallery has a focus on Saskatchewan and Canadian artists and features over 30 of them with art practices ranging from sculpture, stone, wood, porcelain and pottery.
The gallery has been a part of SaskGalleries since 2016. “We love them to pieces, they’re fabulous,” says Sharon. “To have an umbrella organization to represent the galleries is huge.”
Not only is the Nouveau Gallery bright, airy and filled with gorgeous art, there is also access to a full kitchen. These are only a few reasons that make it an ideal space for fundraisers, receptions, book launches and gatherings.
Nouveau Gallery is open Thursdays to Saturdays 12:00 to 4:00 pm and by appointment.
Now we make our way into the heart of Cathedral to Traditions Hand Craft Gallery.
Traditions has been here since 1995 but Kathleen and Jeff Coleclough have owned and operated it since 2016. Why? “Because we’re crazy,” Kathleen laughs. They began their relationship with Traditions as artists and displaying their wares there until they eventually purchased it themselves.
Traditions Hand Craft Gallery is located in the heart of Cathedral on 2718 13th Avenue and they fit in perfectly in the historic artsy neighbourhood. When entering, you are greeted with a bounty of beautiful handcrafted pottery and art pieces on almost every available surface. Over 95 artists neatly fit in all over the shop and Jeff and Kathleen have an encyclopedic knowledge on each of the literal hundred pieces that fill the shop.
Traditions has a very wide selection of work ranging from craft to fine art and you definitely don’t need to spend three thousand dollars….but you really could. This helps find space for new artists as well as experienced fine crafters.
It is a huge part of their identity to be a Saskatchewan gallery. In fact, they have a very unique mandate- every artist must reside in Saskatchewan- and they take it pretty seriously. “There’s been a few artists that have moved provinces and they get the boot.” Jeff jokes dryly. It is an existing mandate that has been a part of the business since the very beginning.
Traditions Hand Craft Gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
As we continue on down beautiful 13th Avenue and find ourselves at Slate Fine Art Gallery.
Gina Fafard co-founded Slate in 2013 continues to solely operate the gallery ten years later at their space on 3424 13th Avenue in Cathedral Neighbourhood.
“I never thought about being anywhere but Regina,” says Gina. Slate is drawn to represent Saskatchewan artists with more than 90 per cent having a connection in some way. It’s not a requirement to have a Saskatchewan connection but sometimes she is just drawn to Saskatchewan art without even knowing. “I was planning an exhibition with an artist from BC and he was like you know I’m from Saskatchewan?” she laughs, “I had no idea.”
The gallery hosts a very eclectic roster of art from textiles to sculpture and everything in between. They are able to both promote reputable Canadian artists while giving opportunities to young and emerging talent. If you are looking for something unique, you will be sure to find it here. When asked how exhibitions are chosen - “it’s instinctual,” she says simply. “Doing good work is the criteria.”
Slate Fine Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and by appointment.
To end our Regina road trip, we leave Cathedral behind and head towards our last stop on our tour of the galleries.
The Lobby Gallery, is found at 1077 Angus Street in the Regina Performing Arts Centre and is located in, that’s right…the lobby.
“The RPAC’s lobby has abundant wall and floor space making it conducive to moderate-sized showings, and because it is an event venue, visual artists benefit from increased exposure to their works, “ says Regina Performing Arts Centre’s Erin Missick. “The Lobby Gallery is a positive addition to the Centre and elevates the overall experience of RPAC’s users and patrons.”
Opened in 2017, The Lobby Gallery is a unique gallery in Regina that began with a partnership between Theatre Regina, the Regina Art Collective, and the Sâkêwêwak Artists' Collective. Together they transformed the reception area of the Regina Performing Arts Centre into an art gallery and provide a series of shows year-round covering a wide range of themes, with a primary focus on Saskatchewan artists in two- and three-dimensional work.
“The Lobby Gallery provides a unique opportunity to view and purchase the diverse works of local artists. Centre staff is welcoming and helpful, and the space has a warm, pleasant ambiance,” says Erin. “Our favourite aspect of all the exhibitions is the diversity and talent of Saskatchewan art that is showcased. There is always something new and exciting.”
The Lobby Gallery is open to the public five days a week and introduces art to the thousands of patrons who attend performances in the Centre’s theatre throughout the year. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 12:00 until 5:00 pm and Friday from 12:00 until 4:00 pm.