Bearclaw Gallery

I collect Inuit art especially sculpture. They have an amazing lineup of art at equally amazing very low prices in comparison to galleries I’ve purchases at in Toronto, Quebec City, Victoria and in the US. (I probably should keep this secret to myself as now you’ll be competing we me on great pieces.) Whether you want to spend $ 20 or $ 25,000 she’ll have a piece you’ll love and a price you’ll love so come here prepared to leave with something nice because you will for sure. I normally buy none to one depending on price and selection when I visit an Inuit art gallery. I bought three pieces today and now have to figure out how to get all that weight back on the plane.

Located on the 124^th Street strip, Bearclaw is one of a number of art galleries in the area within walking distance of one another. From the outside, the gallery is very inviting. There’s always bright, colourful art on display in the windows. I’ve browsed through here a couple of times. The gallery is open, bright and filled with beautiful aboriginal artwork: paintings, soapstone carvings, sculpture and other art objects. If you’re looking for an elegant Inukshuk you’ll find several large and small variations here. There are also dream catchers and beautiful art cards with inspired aboriginal prints. I picked up several for future note writing. If you’re in the area, you’ll enjoy a browse through this gallery space. The ladies who work here are super friendly and love talking about the work on sale in their shop.

Bearclaw Gallery specializes in contemporary and traditional work from Aboriginal artists. The feature exhibit is usually what catches your eye first when walking through the doors. Further back in the gallery is a huge collection of soapstone carvings, from small pieces that would fit in curio cabinets, to larger ones. You can also purchase gift items like posters, cards, and jewelery. I bought a silver ring here a few years ago and I still get a lot of comments about it.
Aboriginal art is not as well known in Alberta as it should be, but Bearclaw Gallery is really helping to get the word out about the talent and history of these artists.

This is the first gallery I’ve seen in Edmonton that sells fine First Nations art (maybe the only one?). It’s an authentic art gallery, so you won’t find items like tacky dreamcatchers and mini-​totem poles as you would at stereotypical tourist shops. The Bearclaw Gallery has the real stuff, some of which rivals the fine art in BC, where there is a huge Aboriginal art market.
Since coming back from Vancouver, I hadn’t seen any soapstone carvings until today when I stumbled upon the Bearclaw. (Soapstone is basically a rock material used in art carving, and typically has green to brown hues depending on its mineral content; it’s very common among Inuit art.) They carry quality art by Aboriginal and Inuit artists, including paintings, silkscreen prints, sculptures, and soapstone and antler-​bone carvings.
I was surprised to see a strong Northwest Coast influence here; there are lots of wooden carved masks. They even have authentic hand-​carved silver jewelry here! (If you’ve never seen one of these, you have to visit the gallery to at least look at them; they’re unlike any jewelry you’ve ever seen before, and that’s an understatement.) The prairies First Nations art tended to be more dominant in the paintings and prints. Famous artists include Norval Morriseau and Daphne Odjig.
They have smaller items too, like beautifully beaded jewelry and accessories, moccasins, and dreamcatchers. These dreamcatchers are unlike any you’ve seen though; they’re huge and authentic, not mass-​produced somewhere in China.
Although there’s not quite a market for Aboriginal art here in Edmonton yet, I think it’s great that the Bearclaw Gallery is here. If you’re an avid art collector, this place is a must-​see.