Nanaimo Art Gallery

06/08/2026

Looking for something to do on these overcast June days? Our current exhibit, An Animated Assembly, is on now until July 12.

🎟️Did you know admission to Nanaimo Art Gallery is by donation? The suggested amount is $5.

With hand-painted murals, short animations, and sculptures, the artists & Richard Ibghy invite us to consider the tensions between economic logic and the ecological imperatives of care and resurgence. It leaves us with a simple yet profound question: what, and how, do we value?

Photo by Sean Fenzl.

06/04/2026

Take time for art with your 2SLGBTQIA+ community!

Join us for Crafty Queers+ to make signs, buttons, & what you wish for the Pride Parade or for yourself this Pride week. Drop in to Art Lab to socialize with other qu**rs, meet new people, and get crafty with our supplies. All ages welcome! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

🗓️Thursday June 11, 2026
⏰4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
📍Nanaimo Art Gallery at 150 Commercial St.
🎟️Entry by donation. This event is drop-in (no registration required)

05/28/2026

Youth Art Exhibition and Market Extravaganza - this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!

Participants in Nanaimo Art Gallery’s Youth Art Collective have curated an exhibition of their own work - Silver Linings.

Join us this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Art Lab at Nanaimo Art Gallery to experience the exhibition. The teens will also be hosting a small (cash-only) marketplace, featuring their work. Please consider bringing cash if you’d like to support them directly.

Friday, May 29 | 4pm to 7pm, Opening Remarks at 6pm
Saturday, May 30 | 10am to 4pm
Sunday, May 31 | 12pm to 4pm

05/15/2026

Join us Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30pm for a film screening of "Nechako: It will be a big river again," a film by Lyana Patrick (Stellat’en First Nation).

When the Kenney Dam was built in the 1950s, it diverted most of British Columbia’s Nechako River to power an aluminum smelter—devastating ecosystems and the Stellat’en and Saik’uz Nations who depend on its waters. Seventy years later, these Nations continue their struggle against powerful institutions in a landmark legal case to restore the river’s flow and protect their way of life.

This event is part of the Unsettling the Lens film series, curated by bailey macabre and in partnership with National Film Board of Canada.

Admission is free. Please RSVP as space is limited.

When the Kenney Dam was built in the 1950s, it diverted most of British Columbia’s Nechako River to power an aluminum smelter—devastating ecosystems and the Stellat’en and Saik’uz Nations who depend on its waters. Seventy years later, these Nations continue their struggle against powerful in...

05/12/2026

Calling all artists!

A reminder of our Artist Meet-Up tonight at Nanaimo Art Gallery from 6:30–8:30pm.

Practicing artists from any discipline are invited to come together to connect, share ideas, collaborate, and feed their creative practice. Whether you’re looking to meet fellow artists, talk about what you’re working on, or simply spend time in creative community, we’d love to see you there.

Please RSVP to attend: https://nanaimoartgallery.ca/shop/programs/adults/creative-minds-artist-meet-up-2/

05/08/2026

Pleased to be at Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre for Bear Witness Day! This family event is being held in honour of Jordan River Anderson. His story “sparked the birth of Jordan’s Principle, to ensure that First Nations kids get the services they need, when they need them.”

05/06/2026

An Animated Assembly is on now until July 12.

04/24/2026

Today we celebrate an incredible milestone and say a bittersweet 'see you later.' After 13 years as a volunteer, Lori Wanhill has completed her last day as part of the front desk team.

For more than a decade, Lori has been a warm welcome and a steady presence at our front desk, as well as a creative force supporting our Gallery Store.

Lori, we are so grateful for your time, care and dedication over the years. You will be greatly missed. ❤❤

04/23/2026

🚨 Last-Minute Spot Open for Pro-D Days! 🚨

Looking for a creative Pro-D Day plan for Friday and Monday? We’ve had one spot open up for Friday and one spot open up for Monday in our Pro-D day camps.

✨ On Friday, young artists will explore mixed-media sculpture while creating characters, creatures, and entire worlds inspired by their own unique stories.

✨On Monday, young artists will explore painting and drawing through imaginative, creativity-filled projects.

⏰ Drop-off: 8:45am | Pick-up: 4:00–4:30pm
Ages 6–12

Pre-registration is required. Call or register online: www.nanaimoartgallery.ca

04/18/2026

Caught in a quiet moment, these two plush mollusks take in an animation of their friends. You never know who (or what) you might find here.

Take a seat and watch along! 'An Animated Assembly' by Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens, curated by Sylvie Fortin, is on now until July 12.

And these plush companions by are available in our Gallery Store. Take one home with you!