The New Gallery

Came here and saw their Badlands Space Odyssey exhibit during Nuit Blanche. That’s not the proper title, but it’s how the film of a turntable in playing ominous music in the Alberta Badlands was described.
The lady working the Nuit Blanche shift was kind enough and very informative, but the exhibit and set-​up left me ambivalent. Lots of potential, but all I felt was posturing and pretense.
Also, the ominous music could be heard in the bathroom next door, and made washing my hands a Silent Hill experience. I would be curious to see what this gallery has to offer over the next few months.

As of January New Gallery will move to Center Street and 7^th avenue SW and will find its new home at the second floor in The Arts Central.

The New Gallery is one of Calgary’s oldest artist-​run centres. What that means is that artists are the programmer, the director and some even make up the board of directors. The gallery genuinely appreciates and supports art and artists, including and maybe especially art students. I love the way they transform the gallery for each show, often featuring mixed media exhibitions and on creating a real experience. To walk in is to be immersed in the gallery.
When I’m in Eau Claire Mall, I often see people peering in through the glass, and then deciding not to go in. The art can be kind of avant-​garde, so I think there is this misapprehension that you should only go in if you can appreciate it. But the thing is, they love art so much that they want to share it. They are so happy when people come in, and answer questions with passion and without pretension. They are actually very inclusive, and love to talk about and help people understand the exhibitions.
So the next time you walk by the New Gallery in Eau Claire Market, go in and say hi, and enjoy some great art.