8 must-see Native art galleries in Vancouver
For locals, it goes without saying that our Native art is a cultural treasure, and for tourists, it represents a resource for great discoveries. Vancouver is a hotspot for art collectors, with a wonderful range of options for purchasing. From Inuit to Northwest Coast, contemporary to classic, here are some key Native art galleries in the city. [Photo courtesy of Lattimer Gallery]
Spirit Works Ltd
4-1500 Railway St, North Vancouver, BC V7J 1B5Spirit Works is a great spot for wooden and pewter jewellery, and check out their bentwood boxes for a prime example of First Nations craftsmanship. Perhaps the crown jewel of their collection is a Mini Longhouse, designed with customizable length and the options of insulation, a transparent roof and modular side windows.
Eagle Spirit Gallery
1803 Maritime Mews, Vancouver, BC V6H 3W7The proprietors at this wide, well-lit gallery located on Granville Island describe the space as “museum-like,” and they’re not wrong. Eagle Spirit Gallery specializes in Northwest Coast and Inuit art, with a strong trade in original paintings. It’s ideal for a casual visit while you shop the Island, but also one of the key destination spots in town for Native art.
Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery
200-332 Water St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6This modest, inviting gallery is home to one of the most diverse selections of Native art in Vancouver. Pieces range from baskets to glasswork to textiles, as well as larger items such as totems. Nestled within a busy block on Water Street in Gastown, Coastal Peoples draws in tourists and discriminating buyers from all over the world.
Douglas Reynolds Gallery
2335 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3G4One of many cultural hotspots in Vancouver is the South Granville gallery district, a downhill cluster of fine art destinations at the northern edge of the neighbourhood. First established in 1995, Douglas Reynolds is one of the key galleries in the area, offering gorgeous painted paddles, handcrafted high quality jewellery, totem poles, bentwood boxes and more. In fact, it’s one of the top local spots for Northwest Coast art.
Marion Scott Gallery
2423 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3G5Another South Granville gallery, Marion Scott specializes in work from the Canadian North. The Inuit art on offer includes modern and contemporary work, and you’ll find a wide range of expression, from wildly creative paintings that update Inuit mythology to more traditional sculpture. It’s a wonderfully eclectic venue that is very well curated.
Lattimer Gallery
1590 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1H2The warm wooden interior at Lattimer Gallery’s Armory District location is designed to resemble a Northwest Longhouse. On display, shoppers will find an extensive variety of contemporary First Nations artwork from more than 100 established and emerging artists, including bentwood boxes, argillite carvings, blankets, masks, totem poles, and gold and silvery jewellery. For Vancouver visitors looking to pick up a treasured souvenir, there’s a second gallery outpost located on the international departures level at YVR.
