What You Need to Know About the Vibrant Urban Art Scene at Winnipeg Graffiti Gallery
Seeing graffiti on bus benches, sidewalks, and even bathroom stalls, have you ever asked yourself why it’s considered art?
I certainly have. Instead of mulling over the scribbles on a wall, I turned to our vibrant art community for some answers—and ironically, I found them decorating the walls of an art gallery.
Visually stunning and thought-provoking, graffiti can be art after all. Although most of it is no longer anonymous, it’s still a raw, unfiltered form of self-expression.
If you, too, want to dive into the world of urban art, visit the Winnipeg Graffiti Gallery. We’ve made a quick guide to help you plan your trip.
About Winnipeg Graffiti Gallery
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Website: https://www.graffitigallery.ca/
Location: 109 Higgins Avenue
Phone: +1 204 667 9960
Opening hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 12 noon to 4 pm
Wed 12 noon to 4 pm
Sat 11 am to 4 pm
Graffiti Gallery is part of a non-profit organization, dedicated to providing art spaces and opportunities for the youth.
Before you even step foot inside, you’ll see vibrant, eye-catching murals decorating the brick walls of the building so it’s also pretty hard to miss from the road. It definitely makes you wonder what this urban art space has to offer.
Inside, you’ll find works from local and international artists, ranging from murals and graffiti on canvas to other unconventional mediums. It’s always a feast for the eyes and a treat for the soul.
Since they opened their doors in 1999, they’ve showcased works from 700+ emerging artists and counting. Thanks to their art programs, you can expect to see more homegrown talents in this urban art space and across Winnipeg.
How to Get to Graffiti Gallery
Walk: Located at the corner of Higgins Avenue and Gomez Street, Graffiti Gallery is within walking distance from Downtown Winnipeg. It’s a 16-minute walk from the Manitoba Museum via Waterfront Drive.
Bus: You can access the gallery by bus from anywhere in the city. From Forks Market, hop on the 44 bus on Winnipeg Square (Eastbound) and stop at Eastbound Higgins at Waterfront, which is around the corner from the gallery.
Car: The quickest way to reach the Graffiti Gallery from anywhere in the city is by car. It’s a 6-minute drive from Forks Market if you take Main Street and turn right on Higgins Avenue.
Things to Do at the Graffiti Gallery
1. Admire the exhibits.
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Graffiti Gallery is a huge canvas, where artists express their creative visions on the walls—literally. You have two floors to explore and a myriad of pieces to mull over.
Here, you’ll mostly see large colorful murals that span from floor to ceiling, but that’s not all there is to this art space. We’ve seen urban art on canvas, sculptures, music, mixed media, and other unconventional mediums.
Exploring the gallery won’t take too much of your day. Maybe an hour or two is enough to see everything, but you might want to stick around longer if you meet other friendly, like-minded art enthusiasts.
2. Learn from exhibiting artists.
— Media credit: graffitiartprog
Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned one, Graffiti Gallery is a safe space to learn, experiment, and fail. Through a variety of art workshops, which they host regularly at the gallery, you can hone your artistic prowess and jumpstart a career in art.
Every workshop is unique, focusing on the themes, concepts, and mediums of the ongoing exhibition. Since the exhibiting artists facilitate them, you can connect and find mentors from all over the globe.
What we like the most about Graffiti Gallery is its youth-focused art programs. After such workshops, students will be given the opportunity to showcase their work at the gallery’s designated exhibition space for kids.
3. Join a graffiti writing workshop.
— Media credit: graffitiartprog
At the gallery, you can attend a graffiti writing class taught by artists from Winnipeg and across Canada. They provide all the supplies, so all you have to do is show up and learn.
Each session is an hour and a half long and includes a tour of the gallery and the ongoing exhibition. You can choose to attend the 10 am or 1 pm class.
But if you have a different schedule in mind, contact the staff in advance so they can accommodate you.
4. Learn how to dance.
— Media credit: graffitiartprog
As part of their commitment to empowering the youth, Graffiti Gallery hosts dance workshops that help foster a sense of belonging in the community. After a session or two, you’ll learn how to pop, lock, and drop, which is pretty cool, too.
Hip-hop, one of the most popular styles of street dancing, is celebrated at the Graffiti Gallery as much as its murals.
We like that the classes aren’t only about the technical aspects of the dance. They also delve into the history and background of hip-hop, which should help students appreciate the small, local movement that has become this global phenomenon.
Where to Eat Near Graffiti Gallery
James Avenue Pumphouse Food & Drink
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Website: https://www.jamesavenuepumphouse.com/
Location: 2-109 James Avenue
Phone: +1 204 560 5210
Business Hours:
Sun 11 am to 10 pm
Thu 11 am to 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am to 12 midnight
James Avenue Pumphouse is an upscale restaurant with an incredible atmosphere and an even better menu. Housed in a former water pumping station for fire fighting, the preserved machinery is one of the highlights of dining in this historical site.
Thankfully, it’s not just a feast for the eyes because the food is good. From their burgers and sandwiches to their salad bowls, everything comes with hefty, delicious portions.
We’d come here just for the cocktails and desserts, so don’t miss out. They always have new concoctions, but if you want the classics, their margaritas and espresso martinis never disappoint.
Jenmuel’s Lechon Cebu and Grill
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Website: http://jenmuel.ca/
Location: 63 Euclid Avenue
Phone: + 1204 615 9480
Business Hours: Wed-Sun 11 am to 7 pm
If you’re looking for an affordable and hearty meal, there’s a Filipino restaurant a few blocks away from the gallery. They serve roasted and grilled meats, seasoned to perfection and hacked into bite-sized pieces just for you.
We like that they cater to large groups, allowing you to choose the right portions to reduce any food waste. But even if you have leftovers, they’re definitely worth bringing home.
Save room for their halo halo, a refreshing shaved ice dessert. It has an assortment of ingredients like beans, ube ice cream, coconut jellies, and many other things that might sound like an odd mix—but works for some reason.
Kum Koon Garden
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Website: http://www.kumkoongarden.com/
Location: 257 King Street
Phone: +1 204 943 4655
Business Hours: Tue-Sun 11 am to 10 pm
Just a 15-minute walk from Graffiti Gallery is Chinatown, where you’ll find a few dim sum places and restaurants. One of our favorites is Kum Koon Garden, serving 250+ items that can satiate all your cravings.
We always go for the shrimp dumplings and crispy egg rolls, but if you can order in advance, get their Peking duck. It comes in a large platter, so it’s best for sharing.
Of course, you shouldn’t leave without trying their desserts. Their mango pudding, egg tarts, and pineapple buns are delicious.