About Gibsons Public Art Gallery

As we celebrate community arts and culture at Gibsons Public Art Gallery, we respectfully acknowledge that we are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), neighbouring the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the shíshálh (Sechelt Nation).

Located in the heart of historic Gibsons, BC, Gibsons Public Art Gallery is part of a lively arts and heritage community that supports five outstanding commercial galleries, several artists’ studios, a heritage museum, and this public art gallery. We’d love to have you come and visit. Gibsons is just a 40 minute ferry ride from Vancouver in Beautiful British Columbia.

GPAG is a registered non-profit organization.

GPAG is a registered non-profit organization. The purposes of the society are:

VISION:

To foster and promote artistic creativity and learning, while serving as a cultural centre that unites art and community.

MANDATE:

  1. Operate a public art gallery for the perpetual benefit of citizens of and visitors to the Sunshine Coast region
  2. Promote public interest in art
  3. Encourage those engaged in art practices

VALUES:

welcoming, supportive, inclusive, educative, encouraging, pro-partnership, enabling, public, accessible to everyone

Beginnings

In 2003 a group of visionary citizens, recognizing the need and value of a Public Art Gallery to any community, met to establish one in Gibsons, BC. They negotiated a space with the generous support of Dr. Janet Webb and John de Kleer, founded and registered a non-profit society and opened the non-profit art gallery Gibsons Public Art Gallery on September 26th, 2003.

GPAG later was given Federal Charitable Tax Status and is able to give Tax Receipts for donations to the Gallery of $20. or more.

The year 2012 brought us many exciting challenges and changes. After a busy summer of construction, and with the very generous bequest of long time member and supporter Eve Smart, GPAG moved into its current location in the old Bank of Montreal building where we enjoy an easy street level entrance and lots of parking. We’re pleased to be fully accessible and welcoming to all.

Our inaugural exhibition in our new location was Hallelujah! A Tribute to the Songs of Leonard Cohen.

Read more here in GPAG’s History, the full version.

Indigenous Commitment

As we celebrate community arts and culture at Gibsons Public Art Gallery, we respectfully acknowledge that we are located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). We also respectfully acknowledge that our work extends throughout the territory of the shíshálh Nation (Sechelt Nation), and that we have a role to play in supporting the greater Indigenous arts & culture community.

At the March 2023 Board meeting, the GPAG Board of Directors adopted the following position on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI):

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization enhances our values and gives our work in the community greater impact. We aim for the fair treatment and full participation of all people, including populations who have been under-represented or historically discriminated against.

Diversity includes all the ways in which people differ, encompassing the unique characteristics including race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual identity, and disability that make one individual or group distinct from another. Equity is the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel equal, welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate.

Read full press release here

Give a Gift to Gibsons Public Art Gallery! 

Support for Gibsons Public Art Gallery continues to be strong thanks to the generosity of the individuals and businesses who make up our community. This support has allowed GPAG to thrive, grow and support the arts community on the Sunshine Coast.