A First Timer’s Guide to Ace Art Inc: What to See and Do on Your First Visit
Popular art galleries and museums are tourist hotspots. They attract people seeking cultural immersion, a little adventure, and maybe a nice photo-op moment.
Sure, some are worth the hype, but these tourist traps can be quite memorable for all the wrong reasons—huge crowds, obstructed views, and long wait times.
If you’re a repeat visitor or a first-timer looking to dodge the crowds, we suggest exploring Winnipeg’s more intimate art spaces. The exhibits are equally fun and exciting, but more importantly, you won’t have to strain your neck to see them.
Here, we’re going to share a quick guide to Ace Art Inc., which is one of our favorite spots in Winnipeg for contemporary art.
About Ace Art Inc.
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Founded by young artists who wanted to cause a little stir in the local art scene, Ace Art Inc. is a safe space for contemplation, creativity, and connection. It has witnessed hundreds of exhibitions, lectures, and performances over the years.
Thirty years since it opened its doors, it’s still a hotbed for experimentation, where you’ll find pieces from a diverse range of disciplines. They continue to produce iconic exhibitions that help shape the landscape of contemporary art in Winnipeg.
Whether you’re passing through or just settling in, seeing Ace Art’s exhibits will also help you understand Winnipeg a little bit better.
No matter the medium, their pieces always reflect the city’s rich Indigenous cultural heritage and diverse community.
How to Get to Ace Art Inc.
Walk: Located near Chinatown, Ace Art is within walking distance from anywhere in Downtown Winnipeg. If you’re coming from Forks Market, you can reach it in 30 minutes or less via the Waterfront Drive.
Car: Driving from Forks Market to Ace Art should take around 7 minutes or less depending on traffic. The best route would be via Main Street, then take a left on Logan Avenue and Princess Street.
Bus: You can also take bus 66 on Westbound Broadway at Main to reach Ace Art from Forks Market. Then, get off at Westbound Rupert at Princess, which is just around the corner from the art gallery.
Things to Do at Ace Art Inc.
Admire the art exhibits.
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Ace Art’s exhibition space might not be the biggest you’ll find in Winnipeg, but it’s one of the most interesting. We see a lot of pieces that push the boundaries of creative expression, introducing us to unconventional mediums year after year.
There’s never a dull moment when we visit the gallery, but we do love the performance arts the most. Merging the world of dance with sketching, for example, you can watch dancers move and pose while artists capture everything on paper.
On some occasions, you can even participate and draw. Materials are often provided at the gallery, so all you have to bring is yourself.
Attend an Artist Talk event.
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One of the best things about small galleries such as Ace Art is the tight community behind them. As an artist, frustrated or not, you can turn to their space for inspiration and education so you can hone your craft.
At their Artist Talk events, you get to pick your favorite artists’ minds, share ideas with fellow art enthusiasts, and dive into the creative processes behind the exhibits. Hopefully, you’ll leave with more inspiration and motivation.
Check out the Ace Art Library.
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If you’re a local, and you see yourself frequenting Ace Art, you might as well become a member to gain access to their library.
You can browse their unique collection of books and publications on contemporary art. With your membership, you will also receive a copy of PaperWait, which is the museum’s annual publication.
Create art at the Ace Art woodshop.
— Media credit: aceartinc
As part of its commitment to providing a space for creative exploration, Ace Art gives its members access to its woodshop. It’s very helpful for emerging artists who don’t have a lot of resources or space to further hone their craft.
You can help yourself to their small pile of wood scraps, and you can create to your heart’s content.
Between exhibits, the Flux Gallery space becomes a project room for artistic development. However, you have to submit a proposal to the gallery to use this space for your art.
Where to Eat Near Ace Art Inc.
Kum Koon Garden
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Serving authentic Chinese cuisine, Kum Koon Garden is the go-to place for all things dim sum. From crispy egg rolls and shrimp dumplings to pork buns, you have 250+ items to choose from so make sure you have enough time when you stop by.
Save some room for dessert because their mango pudding and pineapple buns are incredible.
La Panaderia
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One of Ace Art’s neighbors is a small bakery called La Panaderia, where you can get good coffee, freshly baked bread, and classic Mexican sweet treats. We can’t get enough of their conchas and flans.
If you prefer savory delights, get their molletes or queso fundido, which are served crispy with hot melted cheese. Paired with refreshing drinks like chamoyada de fresa, you can quench your thirst and satisfy your cravings for an affordable cost.
Sampo Dimsum
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Another place that you can go to for a hefty meal is the Sampo Dim Sum. Made fresh and in-house, their massive selection of steamed and fried dishes ranges from pork and chicken to tofu and seafood.
One of their most popular items is their shrimp dumplings, which are generously stuffed and fried to perfection. The steamed version is equally delicious and filling.