Okotoks Art Gallery

Okotoks is a progressive town with a vibrant arts community. The Okotoks Art Gallery (OAG) reflects this wealth of creativity and dynamic energy. Located in the historic 1929 CPR Railway Station, the Gallery includes two gallery spaces for exhibitions , a gift shop featuring local and Canadian artisan wares, and also serves as the Visitor Information Centre for Okotoks.

Founded in 1981, and run by Town staff and volunteers, the (then) Cultural Station was a one-stop-shop for culture in Okotoks, featuring programs, concerts, and exhibits. In 2009, the facility was renovated to meet “Class A” Gallery standards and was rebranded the Okotoks Art Gallery.

The municipally run gallery serves the Town of Okotoks and the Foothills region with ongoing series of professional and members contemporary and historical art exhibitions. As part of the Town’s Culture and Heritage services, the Okotoks Art Gallery, and its upstairs studio, is also home to countless programs for children, adults, families and seniors that explore and connect to art in exciting ways.

Our Mandate

The Okotoks Art Gallery engages diverse communities and inspires a greater quality of life through meaningful visual art exhibitions and education programming.

Rentals & Bookings

The Okotoks Art Gallery is an elegant place to host all kinds of special events right in the heart of Okotoks. To inquire about how we can help you organize the best event in history, please contact one of our staff members at the Okotoks Art Gallery.

Rentals at the Art Gallery

Looking for a unique venue for your next function?

Located in the historic 1929 CPR railway station, elegant brick walls and fabulous art provide the perfect backdrop for a sophisticated event.

Please note: due to space restrictions and presence of artwork, the gallery space is unsuitable for certain types of rentals. The space is ideal for small meetings or similar events.

Our Art Studio is suitable for hosting a variety of arts and craft workshops, including scrapbooking, silversmithing, painting and clay.

For information and rental rates, please contact the gallery at 403-938-3204.

Security Deposit, Cancellation Policy and more

Security Deposit

A security deposit of 100% of booking fee may be required to secure venue.

Cancellation Policy

All venue rental cancellations will be refunded in full up to and including 14 days prior to the event date. All venue rental cancellations with 13 days or less notice forfeit 100% of Booking Fee.
All venue rentals are subject to approval by the Town of Okotoks.
All venue rentals are subject to cancellation at any time by the Town of Okotoks. In the rare occasion this should occur, a full refund will be issued to the Renter.

Emergencies

*In the event of an emergency, including but not limited to: power outages, fire, flood, train derailment, where the Town of Okotoks is required to evacuate, all venue rental bookings will be immediately cancelled, no exceptions and the Renter will receive a full refund.

"The Station" History

Learn about the progression of a CP Railway Train Station into a cultural arts centre.

From Train Station to Art Gallery

Prior to the advent of the automobile, and high-quality roads, the railway was a life thread for the community, shipping and receiving supplies and forming a central focus of community life. The first train station was built in Okotoks in 1892. In 1908 it was custom to welcome newlyweds at the train station with the Okotoks Band.

This wooden station collapsed in a fire in 1928. The fire burned the second floor balcony off the General Store across the street. A new station rose from the ashes in 1929 at a cost of $19, 871, the only brick station on the CPR. Many of the station agents lived on the second floor with their families while the main floor served as the station, telegraph office and mail area. Due to improved highways and the growing popularity of cars, trains lost patronage and Okotoks bid an era good-bye when the last passenger train stopped in Okotoks in 1971.

After closing in 1972, "The Station" was purchased by the Town in 1980, and was re-opened in 1981 as the Cultural and Tourist Information Centre.

The Town of Okotoks purchased the abandoned station from the CPR in 1979 for $1. A committee, known as the Okotoks and District Arts Council, proposed turning the building into a cultural centre. After $224,000 in renovations, The Station Cultural Centre opened in the fall of 1981. The building, owned by the town and initially managed by the Okotoks Arts Council, has hosted an array of art exhibitions, recitals, musical performances, classes, auctions and was home to numerous handicraft and hobby clubs.

And what about the ghost?

Yes, encounters of a female ghost occupying the station have been experienced by more than a few visitors. Although there have been a couple of deaths reported at the station, there are no records that a woman ever died there. However, this just adds to the mystery and history of this beautiful, old facility.