Guide to Art Galleries in Kingston

With March Break starting tomorrow, now seems like a good time for us to take a close look at the many art galleries in Kingston. While we usually make museums and galleries a key part of visiting other cities, we often find ourselves neglecting the great artistic and historical offerings that are right in our own backyard. Kingston is rich with galleries and today we are putting a spotlight on them. Although it’s not a #ygkChallenge post today, I would like to personally challenge you to make a point of visiting at least one this week. In addition to that, check out our Guide to Museums too as you make plans for your Kingston March Break.

Agnes Etherington Art Centre (36 University Ave.): This Queen’s University art gallery houses historic works alongside innovative works of the present, as well as offering workshops and other community outreach events throughout the year. With over 16,000 works spread across eight galleries, the Agnes is Kingston’s most comprehensive gallery, with works covering everything from contemporary and indigenous art to Rembrandt. The Agnes is open Tues-Fri 10am-4:30 (Thurs to 9pm); Sat-Sun 1pm-5pm; Holiday Mondays 1pm-5pm.

Black Dog Pottery (58 Queen St.): Located right next to Kingston’s only glass studio, Black Dog features pottery by local Kingstonian and owner Marc Lemieux. Inspired by a class at The Kingston Potter’s Guild in 1990, Lemieux opened Black Dog in 1999. The gallery and shop is open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Sat and Sun by chance or by appointment.

Cornerstone Canadian Art and Craft (255 Ontario St.): Located at the foot of Princess for over 30 years, Cornerstone is proud to offer an array of entirely Canadian art and crafts. This shop sells works from local artists as well as artists from across the country, and regularly supports a feature artist. Cornerstone is open Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm; Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 12pm-4pm.

Gallery Raymond (334 Princess St.): Gallery Raymond is Kingston’s largest commercial gallery featuring the work of 18 local artists and displaying over 400 pieces. They run bi-monthly exhibitions of new work and offer opportunities to the community to meet their artists. Gallery Raymond is open Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm and 10am-5pm on Saturdays.

Kingston Frameworks (198 Princess St.): While Kingston Frameworks is known for their custom framing, they also display the work of local artists in their storefront window at the corner of Princess and Montreal where they have been for over 30 years. The gallery and shop is open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm and Saturdays 9am-5:30pm.

Kingston Glass Studio and Gallery (56 Queen St.): This studio and shop is known for glass blowing and glass blowing workshops, but they also feature over 30 artists who work in acrylic, ceramics, wood, mixed media and more. In addition to selling art for the wall, functional art and jewellery, the Glass Studio also holds art exhibits.

Martello Alley (203 B Wellington St.): Martello Alley is an artist collective offering works by local artists, and inspired by Quebec City’s La Rue du Trésor. Offering both original works and prints, this gallery is located in an alleyway adorned by art, leading you to the atelier where you will find a gallery and artists with their works in progress to welcome you at the end. Hours are daily from 10am-5pm.

Meraqi Art Annex (66 Brock St.): Meraqi features the works of local artists of all mediums including painting, photography, pottery, jewellery, woodworking, knitting and artisanal soap. The shop and gallery also offers a variety of art-infused workshops. Meraqi is open 10am-5:30pm, seven days a week.

Modern Fuel (370 King St. W. – Tett Centre): Modern Fuel is an artist-run, non-profit gallery located in The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning. The gallery features the work of emerging, mid-career, local, national and international artists of diverse backgrounds. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 12pm-5pm. Current exhibits are Common Names and Dust is dancing until April 2nd.

Studio 22 (320 King St. E.): Studio 22 is a commercial fine art gallery featuring works by artists from all across Canada. Approximately half of the works on display are from local artists and vary in medium including oils, acrylics, mixed media, sculpture, photography and graphic design. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm; Thursdays until 8pm and Fridays until 10pm. The current exhibit is I love This Piece, on until March 25th.

Sydenham Street Studios (178 Sydenham St.): This studio is a working space for 7 local artists creating with oils, acrylic, mixed media, water colour and photography. There is a small gallery area and the public is welcome to go into the artists’ studios. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday 12pm-3pm or by chance or by appointment.

Tett Centre Community Gallery (370 King St. W.): This community space isn’t always occupied but it’s worth checking the website to see if there is an exhibit on the go. The space, located in the lower level of the Tett, has been home to The Kingston Juried Art Salon, the OKWA Art Show, the Crystal Ball Art Exhibit and other community art shows. The upcoming exhibit is the Kingston Fibre Artists’ annual show and sale, Art Threads, which runs from March 18-April 13.

Union Gallery (101 Union St.): This professionally staffed, student-driven gallery is located inside Queen’s University’s Stauffer Library and is committed to promoting contemporary art, supporting excellence in the arts and creating a space where students and emerging artists can work alongside professionals. The gallery is open September-April, Tues, Thurs and Sat 11am-4:30pm and Wed 11am-8pm. Current exhibits are Groundwork, Islands and the Woods and Committed to Paper, all running until May 12th.

Thanks to Queen’s University for today’s photo.