Art guide: Five galleries to check out in Toronto's west end

Photo: Only One Gallery

Toronto’s art scene is ubiquitous but often heeded as exclusionary or somewhat enigmatic to the average denizen whose vast art collection comes from Home Sense. Thanks to disruptive technology, where art is mass produced and more commonly purchased online and unseen from Etsy, Saatchi or Instagram, there’s something more revered and refreshing about the gallery experience; it can be understandably intimidating but its continuous evolution has made it accessible to a more diverse audience.

Toronto galleries have dispersed across the west end through years of gentrification to slightly farther reaches of the city but these hubs of creativity yield inspiring outings for those whose 2017 resolutions included watch less Netflix and wear leather jacket more.

ANGELL GALLERY

Jamie Angell recently opened his gallery in the Junction Triangle after years on West Queen West and Ossington, in an industrial plaza that also houses a catering company and an indoor rock climbing facility. The space is industrial and minimalist with open rooms that easily facilitate the flow of traffic. As Angell is more of a destination location, arrive for an opening night where it’s easy to blend in with the throngs of patrons spilling out into the parking lot, wine in hand. 

1444 Dupont St., Unit 15
angellgallery.com

STEPHEN BULGER GALLERY

Stephen Bulger Gallery has focused on photography for over two decades and recently exhibited Vivian Maier, arguably one of the most famous photographers of all time. The gallery specializes in working with first time buyers and at an often palatable price point, owning original art incredibly accessible.     

1026 Queen St. W
bulgergallery.com

GEORGIA SCHERMAN GALLERY

Daughter of artists Tony Scherman and Margaret Priest, Scherman’s deep roots in the art community are apparent in her project space that exhibits both established artists and emerging talent. The gallery opened over a decade ago and represents renowned artists such as Suzy Lake, Spring Hurlbut and Melanie Authier.   

133 Tecumseth St.
georgiascherman.com

OLGA KORPER GALLERY

Olga Korper has had a long career spanning over four decades in contemporary art and has received many accolades for her dedication and commitment to artists, dealers, aspiring collectors and anyone looking to engage in the community. Her gallery, located in the Lower Junction, is only a block away from the future home of the Museum of Contemporary Art and can be credited as the first of many galleries in the industrial neighbourhood. She represents remarkable talent, beautifully curated in an open and airy space that also doubles as her home.    

17 Morrow Ave.
olgakorpergallery.com

ONLY ONE GALLERY

Parkdale's Only One Gallery is housed in an impressive industrial space tucked behind an LCBO and Electric Mud. The open space has two vast rooms and a loft area to accommodate large crowds on opening nights that can often feel like a party with emphatic DJ’s and cheekily dressed bartenders. In an edgier spin on the contemporary gallery, Only One is where you should put your leather jacket to use.

5 Brock Ave.
onlyonegallery.com