One of the great things about going to school in Bellingham is its proximity to great cities like Seattle and Vancouver. Both cities are less than a two hour drive from campus and both offer great connections to the international art scene.
When travelling to Vancouver, in order to cross the border into Canada you will need either a passport or an enhanced driver’s license. If you plan on traveling to Canada often, it might be a good idea to purchase a Nexus Pass so you don’t have to wait so long to cross the border.
Vancouver has a huge variety of art museums and galleries to offer, but here are a few that we have determined to be some of the best.
The Polygon Gallery
The Polygon Gallery is located on Vancouver’s North Shore and features 25,000-square-feet of exhibition space. There are two floors and in addition the gallery there is a cafe and gift shop. Formerly known as the Presentation House Gallery, this space has been showing photography-focused work for over 40 years.
There is an opening coming up for the Fall Exhibitions on November 1st at 8:00pm. The Fall Exhibitions will be on display from November 2, 2018 until January 13, 2019.
To learn more about this event and the upcoming exhibitions, visit The Polygon Gallery website: https://thepolygon.ca/event/fall-exhibitions-public-opening/
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Cost: by donation
The Vancouver Art Gallery
The Vancouver Art Gallery has been a staple of the Vancouver art scene since its founding in 1931. It is the fifth largest art gallery in Canada and features 41,400 square feet of exhibition space. Located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, the gallery is actually housed in the former main courthouse for Vancouver. With over 11,000 pieces in their permanent collection, the Vancouver Art Gallery is definitely a spot you want to hit on a trip to the Vancouver area.
The gallery always has different programs and events going on so definitely check out their calendar and see what is happening: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events_and_programs/calendar_of_events.html
Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
Admission price: $24 ($18 with Student ID)
Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver
As with the other galleries on this list the Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG) is a non-profit gallery. The CAG is also located in Downtown Vancouver and features the work of local, national, and international artists. Established in 1971 the CAG has grown to be one of Canada’s leading galleries featuring contemporary art. The space features three different exhibition rooms and in addition to photography also features film, mixed media, and other contemporary artistic mediums.
To view upcoming exhibitions and events visit the CAG website: https://www.contemporaryartgallery.ca/whats-on/
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm (closed Mondays)
Admission Price: Free
Definitely take advantage of the amazing opportunities in Vancouver during your time at Western. Visiting galleries like these ones are a great way to enhance your experience in the program.