Parkdale Gallery reflects James Robinson’s vision for an artistic community.

More than an art gallery, the venue welcomes a community of creative peoples and celebrates diverse artistic passions. The gallery reflects both his easy going personality and creative fearlessness. There is an art movement happening at Parkdale Gallery which defies traditional definition.

Artists that have not been well served by an ever increasing elitist art community are drawn to the venue. At Parkdale Gallery they find their community and support for their work. They find a partner that works with and for them. Artists from near and far, from all backgrounds are invited to submit their works for consideration. New artists that are shown for the first time in a gallery are welcomed by established artists.

Who are the artists and sculptors featured at Parkdale Gallery? All have developed unique personal styles, substantial portfolios, fortitude to dismiss the mainstream and all have pursued their passions.  That is where the similarities end. Techniques, subject matters, media, ethnicity, and world views, all vary. The result is a gallery showcase of strongly divergent works.

Opening in November 2006, the gallery features shows  built upon artist’s submissions. Unlike most galleries that ask artists to submit works or create works to conform to the curator’s concept of a show, Parkdale looks first at artists collected works and pulls together either group or solo shows based on these bodies of work. Which means that you see an artist’s true vision and unique exhibitions.

The gallery also partners with local and distant non profit art groups and networks, allowing the members of these groups to showcase.

Our new location will accommodate  even more. You will see international artists, local talent and be able to browse artists’ studios.

Living Our Values

Owner and curator, James Robinson, is a working artist and has a studio in the gallery. Parkdale Gallery reflects his vision of what an artist hopes for. This value statement for the gallery attempts to capture his vision.

Respect for the work
Parkdale Gallery is all about the quality of the artwork. Artists of all backgrounds are invited to submit their works for consideration. New artists that are shown for the first time in a gallery are welcomed by established artists. The result is that the gallery showcases the works of a diverse artistic community.

Support for an artist’s vision
We believe that artists should show the work that they themselves feel best represents their vision and talent. Gallery shows are built around submissions. In this way we are able to showcase the best of an artist’s portfolio. Artists are invited to submit to the gallery on an ongoing basis. ( Artists: Please submit by e-mail with a link to your web site, or with two or three attached compressed images, along with a summary C.V. Thanks.)

Parkdale  Gallery does not charge artists any fees to show, nor any installation charges or hanging fees. Works are selected on merit, originality and quality.

A fair and safe environment to show
Parkdale has fair and reasonable contracting practices. Our consignment agreements are based on international fair practices.  Artist’s commissions are industry standard and are not rebated or reduced. The gallery does not reduce artist pricing without their prior consent. Artists enter into a secure contractual relationship wherein copyright is protected.

Long term commitment
Our shows are a little longer than most galleries. This way the artists have more exposure to you the public. We also represent artists and work with other galleries to promote local talent. When the Parkdale Gallery invites an artist to be part of the gallery, our long term contractual commitment includes web presence and on line sales.

Parkdale Gallery reflects James Robinson’s vision for an artistic community.

James is first and foremost an artist. He has been a working artist for over 20 years and is well studied in the arts. As a working artist, James made his way selling his art directly to patrons, painting one commission after another. James paints big and bold. His subject matter too can be different: hockey, toys, aboriginal masks and large portraits. Most galleries though loving his work found that they did not have the space or could not accommodate his style in theme shows.

Early in his career he rebelled against the norms of the traditional art community and left his studies to join a small group of avant-garde artists in Montreal. Working with other underground artists, he was free to develop a style that combines traditional brush work with modern air brush techniques. The result is a finely defined hyper realism. He continues to paint in his studio in the gallery.

Living in Ottawa’s self acclaimed QUAD artist district, James was one of the many artists, actors, musicians and writers who had chosen Hintonburg to make their home. This working class downtown neighbourhood with its older homes, treed streets and community amenities was until the last few years a well kept secret. Now it has been acclaimed as Canada’s hottest neighbourhood.

As a member of the Hintonburg Arts Committee, James was involved in the community arts movement early on. As art galleries started to pop up in the neighbourhood, he could not find that out of the way, trendy art gallery that suited his needs as an artist. You know that place where you can find that type of art that rocks you. Instead it seemed that all the local galleries where following the same old formulas, a monthly themed show and showcasing what he calls “the usual suspects”.

James was inspired to open Parkdale Gallery to fulfill the needs of artists like him and to create an artistic venue that respects the quality of the artwork. The result is a gallery experience unique in Ottawa. On most days you will find that Parkdale Gallery is home to more than a hundred works from a dozen or more artists and sculptors. This alternative art gallery features original paintings and one of a kind sculptures from near and far.

James continues to support the community by sponsoring charity events at the gallery. To learn more about these events, visit our Giving page.

Parkdale Gallery: Artist Studios

Parkdale Gallery is expanding. Our new store front location will accommodate three venues. Parkdale Gallery will continue to operate as an independent gallery. The  adjacent Studio Gallery will display the artworks of studio artists to the public. Individual working studio spaces with 24 hour access will be rented to local artists and will also be open to the public during gallery hours.


The Studio Gallery will be operated as a separate entity with promotions and events. This unique venue will be one of a kind augmenting the vibrant artistic community in the QUAD.
 

Artists: To express your interest, please contact us by e-mail with your artist bio, attached images (two or three) or send links. If you prefer mail us a CD, or a copy of your portfolio. Studio Gallery members will be selected based on the quality of artworks.


James Robinson

Parkdale Gallery,
E-mail: theparkdalegallery@rogers.com
Phone: (613) 614-4308
 

Parkdale Arts Court
Coming in Spring 09. Interested artists and vendors are welcome to contact us.
The Park will be a public art space, showcasing large sculptures that can not be accommodated in a gallery.

Weekends the courtyard will become an Arts Park for visual artists and concessionaires .
Check out the article in KitchArt.
Listen to an interview with James by
The Wellington Oracle;Parkdale Arts Court on the Way,

Parkdale Arts Court will be an open air art gallery situated in Ottawa’s Quartier des artistes, Arts District,  an extraordinary place that sets out to challenge, inspire, inform and delight. This urban courtyard will become the home to modern and contemporary art and sculpture.

Access will be free.

The sculpture park will be a unique cultural resource providing a constantly changing uniquely artists creations.  It will introduce audiences to vital new directions in large-scale Modernist sculpture.

Every weekend throughout the summer and fall, the Arts Court will host an urban arts park. Artists will be painting in the courtyard and craft persons will be selling their wares. Bring the family.
 

Framing Services , professional and affordable.

We provide professional framing from economical poster framing to museum quality.

The main purpose of a frame is to support and showcase your art and keepsakes while properly protecting it from damage in the years to come.

We offer a wide variety matting, fillets, frames and glass which enable us to offer a wide range of choice in both design and price.

We'll frame anything! From your everyday poster to valuable sports memorabilia, there's no limit to what we are capable of framing. For any piece that is valuable, collectable, an original artwork, or of great long-term sentimental value, we offer conservation framing materials to preserve it.

Conservation framing refers to the materials used to frame your piece. Acid-Free, museum and rag matting is the only type of matting we sell. We use only UV protecting glass to help keep your art from fading. If it's worth framing, it's worth framing right.

We offer a wide range of choice in both design and price. Choose from over 200 profiles; everything from a modern urban look, classic style or even antique.