Eleanor C.
Yelp
I've only been to the Esker Foundation Contemporary Art Gallery twice but it's one of my favourite art galleries/exhibition spaces in the city! It's a beautiful place that easily accommodates both large & small scale artwork. It also regularly features pieces of various mediums including sculpture, painting, photography, interactive exhibits, film & any combination of the above. I've yet to see a live performance piece there, though they do seem to have the capacity for it.
The Esker also features talks by artists, family art events & kid focused hands on art lessons! You'll have to register via their site but they are entirely free! It's also FREE for regular visits! As an extra bonus, they have nice longer hours, especially on Thursdays & Fridays, when they're open till 8pm.
The place is clean & modern. There's some beautiful architectural elements to the interior without imposing on the features works. There's also a nice sitting area with a fantastic view of downtown if you just want a nice break.
The only negative about the space is that the main revolving door is a little too seamless! Meaning: the actual openings to come in and out look way too similar to the glass panels! If you're not touching the glass walls or you're not paying attention (eg: you're talking to a friend or your phone just rang, etc) you can actually miss the opening & have to do the turn again! It's embarrassing, believe me! :(
Other than the main door this is one amazing space! I love this place very much, please check it out sometime, or catch one of their talks. Those can get a bit crowded even with registration, so go early! Have fun & fill up on some amazing works of art!