Esker Foundation

The Esker Foundation is such a gem in Calgary. This free contemporary art gallery is always a joy to visit. The staff are consistently warm, welcoming, and kind, creating an inviting space to explore. The exhibits change frequently and are always thought-provoking, creative, and beautifully curated. I’m always excited to see what they bring in next. A must-visit for anyone who loves art or just wants a meaningful experience.

This is small, but very well put together. If you like modern art and are in Calgary, this is a good idea to spend an hour or two. Entrance is free. A bed made of bread. A dress made of meat. Kids can do a scavenger hunt. It's a modern and large space. If you get tired, there are nice couches with a beautiful view of downtown Calgary.

Great exhibits, few of them had live demonstrations. Very interesting to spend few peaceful hours trying to understand and learn more about the art. The current exhibition which I recently visited had limited info. On the poster, so I had locate the deatils and read on the booklet given at the entrance which was annoying as it would to one point however the overall experience was great. Staff was friendly.

The solo exhibition of Czech-Canadian installation artist Jana Sterbak is currently on at the Esker Foundation, with free admission. I went to check it out on Saturday. There were definitely parts I still couldn’t fully get, but when I saw the Sisyphus installation, it really hit me — a person inside a roly-poly–like cage constantly trying to find balance; such a perfect metaphor. And that stone backpack… even though I haven’t been working for a while now, I couldn’t help but feel struck by it, too.

So much to see in this beautiful space and that too FOR FREE. Sweet lady at reception. Thoughtful work by Babak Golkar and Caroline Monnet. Descriptions made me understand the beautiful artpieces. Their themes and meanings ⭐️ The wall dedicated to young artists made it more special.

Amazing FREE museum with FREE parking underground in the back. Lots of modern art pieces and many pieces located throughout the building as well. Well worth a visit.

The Esker Foundation offers a composed and quietly engaging experience of contemporary and abstract art. The space is calm and thoughtfully curated, allowing the work to invite reflection. Visiting with my son and daughter, I appreciated how the exhibitions encouraged conversation and multiple interpretations without oversimplifying the ideas behind the work. The balance between accessibility and intellectual depth, combined with free admission and a serene setting, makes the Esker Foundation a meaningful cultural space in Calgary, one that rewards both careful thought and shared experience.

I love esker!! Out of all the paintings I saw today, this one was definitely the… boldest. Lmao yall wildin 🤣🤣🤣

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!