Vancouver has a long-established commercial art world: galleries that have represented Canadian artists for half a century, and a national fine art auction house that started here. For a collector, or anyone furnishing a home with original work, here’s where to begin.
Heffel Fine Art Auction House
Kenneth G. Heffel opened his gallery in Vancouver in 1978. His sons David and Robert took it over after his death in 1987, and in 1995 they founded Heffel Fine Art Auction House. Its Vancouver gallery is at 2247 Granville Street, and it also has offices in other Canadian cities. Major works are usually previewed before each sale, so you can see them in person.
Bau-Xi Gallery
Paul Huang founded Bau-Xi in 1965 to represent Canadian artists on the West Coast. Its Vancouver gallery is at 3045 Granville Street. It’s a founding member of the South Granville Gallery Association.
Equinox Gallery
Elizabeth Nichol founded Equinox in 1972. It opened on Robson Street and moved several times; its current home is at 3642 Commercial Street.
South Granville gallery row
Granville Street on the slope above Granville Island is the heart of the city’s commercial gallery district, with galleries close together. An afternoon there is a good introduction to what’s on the market. Luxury shopping in Vancouver
Buying well
- Provenance. Ask where a work has been: its ownership history, exhibitions and publications.
- Condition. Auction houses provide condition reports on request. Read them before you bid.
- The full price at auction. The hammer price isn’t what you pay. Auction houses add a buyer’s premium, and taxes apply. Read the terms of sale.
- Insurance and care. Have significant works appraised for insurance, and think about light, humidity and hanging, which matter in a house full of windows.
For the public side of the art world, the museums, patron circles and galas, see Galleries, music and philanthropy in Vancouver.
General information, current as of publication, from each gallery’s and auction house’s own published history. Contact each directly for current exhibitions, sales and terms.