For forty years, Art Works Gallery has been a place where meaningful connections are made through art — between artists and collectors, creativity and community, memory and emotion. Since opening our doors in 1986, we have had the privilege of partnering with remarkable artists and sharing their work with generations of art lovers across Vancouver and beyond.
Over the past few months, we have been celebrating this milestone by revisiting the artists and exhibitions that helped shape the gallery throughout each decade of our journey. Now, it is time for the Encore.
Our 40th anniversary exhibition, Encore, brings together new work from more than 20 artists who have been part of the Art Works Gallery story across four decades. Like the unforgettable final performance that leaves audiences wanting more, this exhibition celebrates the artwork that stays with you long after you leave the gallery — the pieces you think about for years, return to again and again, and carry with you in unexpected moments.
An encore is never just repetition. It is the return of something beloved with renewed energy, emotion, and appreciation. That spirit is at the heart of this exhibition: a celebration of enduring artistic relationships, lasting inspiration, and the community that has made forty years possible. Be here for the Encore and join the standing ovation for 40 years of artwork at Art Works Gallery.
For four decades, Art Works Gallery has been a place where meaningful connections are made through art—between artists and collectors, creativity and community, memory and emotion. As the gallery celebrates its 40th anniversary, it marks not only a milestone for one business but also a remarkable achievement within Vancouver’s evolving cultural landscape.
Founded in 1986 by Deanna Geisheimer, Art Works Gallery began long before it occupied a physical gallery space. Working independently from her one-bedroom Kitsilano apartment, Geisheimer built relationships with emerging artists, visited studios, transported artwork herself, and introduced local art to businesses throughout Vancouver. What started as a small independent venture grew into one of the city’s enduring cultural institutions, supporting artists, fostering collectors, and championing original Canadian art through decades of change.
The anniversary exhibition, Encore, brings together new works by more than twenty artists who have been part of the Art Works Gallery story across four decades. Like the final performance that leaves audiences wanting more, Encore celebrates the artwork that lingers long after it is first experienced—the pieces that remain in memory, inspire reflection, and become part of people’s lives. An encore is never simply a repetition; it is the return of something cherished with renewed energy and appreciation. That spirit lies at the heart of this exhibition, honouring enduring artistic relationships and the community that has made forty years possible.
The exhibition arrives at a significant moment for Vancouver’s arts sector. In a city celebrated for its creative talent, independent galleries and cultural spaces face increasing pressure from rising costs, redevelopment, and shifting economic realities. As artists and creative businesses are pushed further from the city centre, many fear the gradual loss of the cultural character that makes Vancouver vibrant. Against this backdrop, Art Works Gallery’s longevity stands as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring value of local art.
Throughout its history, the gallery has maintained a highly personal approach to art consulting. By working closely with collectors, homeowners, and designers, the team helps clients discover artwork that resonates on a deeply individual level. The process is about more than decoration—it is about creating lasting connections between people and the art they live with every day.
Over the past forty years, Art Works Gallery has exhibited hundreds of artists and helped cultivate relationships that span generations. Long before social media and online marketplaces transformed the art world, independent galleries provided crucial opportunities for artists to gain visibility and build careers. They continue to play that role today, creating space for creative expression, dialogue, and community engagement.
In recent years, the gallery has also witnessed growing interest from younger collectors seeking authentic experiences and meaningful alternatives to mass-produced décor. Increasingly, people view original artwork not as a luxury, but as an essential part of creating connection, identity, and a sense of sanctuary within their homes.
At a time when much of daily life is moving online, galleries remain among the few places where people can gather in person to experience creativity, conversation, and emotion together. As Art Works Gallery celebrates forty years, Encore serves as both a reflection on the past and a celebration of the enduring power of art to bring people together.
