The Canadian Art Hop is an annual four-day art walk and art event, an opportunity to see and learn about some of the best art available in Canada. From May 1 to 4, art goers from coast to coast are encouraged to get out and experience exhibits and events at local hubs of creativity.
Over 90 participating spaces nationwide — including 16 venues hosting exhibits for the Calgary Art Zone — are participating in Art Hop. Art Hop venues include commercial galleries, public galleries, and artist-run centres.
If you have never attended an art hop, the idea is simple: go check out an art exhibit, then travel to other venues to check out as many other exhibits as you feel inclined.
Four potential routes are suggested in the Art Hop’s Calgary Art Zone; however, you’re encouraged to personalize your own Art Hop logistics.
There are scheduled events that include: guided tours, opportunities to meet artists, artist talks, curator talks, panel discussions, and extended hours.
The Art Dealers Association of Canada organizes the event; zone maps with potential routes are available online.
Deborah Herringer is the former President of the Board of Directors for the Art Dealers Association of Canada. “Art has an incredible impact on our lives and our experiences,” she says. “But it is also just so important for our mental health.”
Herringer continues, “It’s so important to just get out to look at other perspectives, and that’s what art does.”
“Artists often look at things in a unique way, they have different points of view; they’re also really intelligent and highly educated, so I think their perspectives deserve attention.”
“I think it’s just great for people to come widen their horizons.”
The event kicks off on Thursday with free admission and extended hours at Contemporary Calgary. The first scheduled event is a 7 p.m. curator’s talk at Paul Kuhn Gallery on the work of Edward Burtynsky.
On Friday, meet local artists and check out the exhibit during extended hours at Herringer Kiss. On Saturday, attend any of half a dozen artist engagements at the Crawlspace Gallery.
Get out and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of Canada.
Learn more about the event at canadianarthop.ca.
Plan It Out
Thursday, May 1
7:00 pm at Paul Kuhn Gallery:
Curator’s Talk on the work of Edward Burtynsky
12:00 – 9:00 pm at Contemporary Calgary:
Free admission and extended hours
Friday, May 2
5:00 – 8:00 pm at Herringer Kiss Gallery:
Meet the Artists Social with the Gallery’s Local Artists
Saturday, May 3
10:30 am at Loch Gallery:
Mimosas with Calgary artist Nick Rooney
11:30 am at Master’s Gallery:
Artist Talk with Amy Dryer
12:30 pm at TrépanierBaer Gallery:
Meet the Artists Event with Ashley Bartlett and Chris Millar
1:30 pm at Newzones Gallery:
Opening and Artist Talk with Joshua Jensen-Nagle
2:30 pm at Wallace Galleries:
Opening and Artist Talk with Robert Lemay
3:30 pm at Norberg Hall:
Talk | Canadian Art HERstory with Rob Cowley and Lydia Abbott
7:00 – 9:00 pm at Crawlspace Gallery:
Opening Reception for PLUMBAGE
Sunday, May 4
4:00 – 6:00 pm at Crawlspace Gallery:
Panel discussion in conjunction with the upcoming exhibition
Ongoing
May 1 – 3 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm ay Norberg Hall:
Norberg Hall + Cowley Abbott exhibition special viewing
May 1 – 4 | 1:00 pm at Contemporary Calgary:
Guided Tours
May 3 – 4 | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm at Crawlspace Gallery:
Extended Hours
