Gallery 1313

I love this gallery. Whenever I’m doing my leisurely stroll down Queen I stop in to see what’s on display. It’s a a good size gallery with three rooms. I don’t frequent galleries often, but this one keeps me coming back. They display art from their members and local artists and have some large and smaller pieces to admire. If I ever have the extra cash to buy a piece, it will probably come from this gallery as I’d love to support them and their artists.

Gallery 1313 is a great space for contemporary artists and art lovers alike. It’s pretty chill and they always have new exhibitions every 2 weeks so it’s refreshing going there every once in a while. The only downside is that its located fairly west of the city but still accessible by the 501 or Dufferin bus. Then again, which contemporary art galleries AREN’T on queen west?

A friend was showing her piece in a group exhibition at Gallery 1313 this weekend.
I could only go when the gallery was also hosting a late-​afternoon, ticketed event
so I phoned to be sure they would be open during regular gallery hours that day.
After two phone calls I was assured that yes, they would be open at 1:00, and that from 1:00 until 4:00 viewing would be free.
My companion and I travelled over an hour to arrive at 1:00, but the doors were locked.
[ A note: the entrance to the gallery is off to the side, but I had been there before and knew I was at the right door. ]
I phoned and left a message to please call me as soon as they opened so we could see the show. No one phoned, but we came back at 1:30, and the doors were still locked, so I left yet another message to please phone me.
As we left I noticed two other people come up to the door and try to get in, to no avail.
We left the area and went for lunch. At 2:45 I phoned yet again and the person who answered said quite definitely they had been open since 1:00. I explained that I had been there twice with the doors locked and bolted, and her response was, «Well, we’re open now».
Really.
I have been to Gallery 1313 more than once to support my friends and their art.
The gallery has a fairly open central space that can hold large-​scale pieces with two smaller areas for more intimate contact with smaller-​scale art.
In the times I have been to the gallery I have never felt any particular energy from the way the pieces are displayed nor have I had the impression that there is any planning other than making sure the art sticks to the wall.
Since I don’t know the curators I don’t know if this is intentional or just plain lazy.
From this last experience I’m leaning towards «lazy».
My friends work hard and are proud, excited and happy to have their work in a show.
I feel they deserve a more engaged venue: a venue that is respectful to their work and to the public who comes to connect with it.

I’ve only visited during the Contact festival, when they display work by their members. The quality of the artwork is mixed, with some really amazing large-​scale work and some pieces that don’t work quite as well in a group showing, but that’s the way it always is. The venue is excellent, though – spacious and well appointed.