South Granville gallery row

Why this street

Cross the Granville Bridge heading south and the street changes character: furniture showrooms, design stores, and a run of commercial art galleries within a few minutes' walk of each other. For a buyer, that density is the point. In one afternoon you can stand in front of more original art than anywhere else in the city, compare styles across galleries, and get a feel for what your budget buys at the top of the Vancouver market.

This guide covers the galleries on this stretch of Granville Street. For the rest of the city, our directory of art shops in Vancouver lists 21 galleries, co-ops and supply stores with addresses and opening hours checked against each shop's own website. Each entry states where its facts come from.

How to walk it like a buyer, not a browser

• Ask prices early and openly. On this street most work is priced on enquiry, and no one is offended by the question. It is the fastest way to learn the market.
• Ask what the price includes. Shipping, framing, and installation are often quoted separately at physical galleries, which is fair for large work but changes the total.
• Ask about the return policy before you pay, and get it in writing. Policies vary widely between galleries.
• Take photos of anything you like, with the wall label. Deciding at home beats deciding under gallery lighting.
• Do not feel the four-figure entry prices are the whole market. They are the top of it. Our under-$500 guide covers the rest.

Common questions