The mandate of the Slide Room Gallery is to focus on local contemporary art. Since the inception of the Slide Room Gallery in 2006, exhibitions included drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video and installation. There have been solo and group shows of art from local, national and international artists. As of March 21, 2007, the Slide Room Gallery has been incorporated as a non-profit society in the province of British Columbia. For the first 12 years the gallery was located in the lower level of the Vancouver Island School of Art at 2549 Quadra. From 2018-2019, the gallery was located in the former North Park Bike Shop and then from 2019-2021 we transitioned to online exhibitions. As of October 2021, the gallery now has a physical space again in the front part of the Vancouver Island School of Art.
OUR HISTORY
Originally located on the lower level of the Vancouver Island School of Art, the Slide Room Gallery was formed from much of the same momentum that had fueled the school itself: the desire to contribute to the arts community in a way that maintained a high level of seriousness while also reaching a broader public, one that might be less familiar with contemporary art practice. In the tradition of the many independent galleries developed in partnerships with colleges and universities, the Slide Room Gallery was intended to be both a compliment to the school’s mandate and an independent resource for local, national, and international artists.
The space itself was originally used slide presentations including art history lectures and visiting artist talks. With its open plan, abundant natural light and white walls, it seemed a natural fit for an exhibition space, and still retains some of its ‘schoolhouse’ character in the form of tongue-in-groove walls and linoleum flooring. These features add to the space’s current roles as both independent forum and teaching gallery, heritage building and community hub, ‘blank slate’ and retrofit.
GET INVOLVED
We welcome submissions! If you are interested on having an online exhibition with the Slide Room Gallery, please visit our SUBMIT page.
