Art enthusiasts in Calgary are getting a rare opportunity to view museum-quality Canadian masterworks this week, as Norberg Hall hosts a three-day exhibition featuring paintings by renowned artists including Lawren Harris, Emily Carr, Jean-Paul Riopelle, and other celebrated Canadian masters. The free public preview runs from Thursday through Saturday, October 30 to November 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Norberg Hall before the collection heads to a major auction in Toronto on November 26.
The exhibition showcases an exceptional collection of historical, post-war, and contemporary Canadian artwork, with many pieces being museum-quality works that have never been offered at auction before. "It's a collection of historical, post-war and contemporary Canadian artwork, many of which are museum quality and have never been offered before at auction," said Rob Cowley, president of Cowley Abbott, Canada's premier art auctioneers. The auction house expects several works in this particular sale to exceed one million dollars.
Among the standout pieces is a large Lawren Harris canvas expected to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 at auction, representing the distinctive style of this Group of Seven member. The collection also features a 1950 canvas by Jean-Paul Riopelle with an estimated value between $1.2 and $1.5 million, along with a comprehensive suite of works by Emily Carr that spans her entire artistic career, showcasing her evolution as one of Canada's most important painters.
The sale brings together paintings entrusted to Cowley Abbott by collectors and corporate holdings from across Canada and beyond, representing decades of Canadian artistic achievement. Contemporary Canadian art is also well-represented through notable works by Denyse Thomasos, Kim Dorland, and Kent Monkman, demonstrating the continued vitality of the Canadian art scene.
Cowley emphasized that Calgary serves as an ideal stop for the national preview tour due to the city's wealth of collectors and incredible private art collections. "Certainly, the last five years have been some of the strongest years we've ever witnessed at auction for Canadian art, and this season looks to be no different with the fantastic works that are available," he noted. He encourages Calgarians to experience the collection in person, even if they have no plans to participate in the auction, describing the viewing experience as "in many ways, like a museum viewing."
The exhibition has also attracted the attention of Calgary's Jarvis Hall, a world-renowned frame-maker and gilder with 33 years of experience, who recognizes the exceptional caliber of the artwork on display. Hall, who has created frames for works by Juan Miró, Picasso, Andy Warhol, and all members of Canada's Group of Seven painters, approaches framing as an extension of the artwork itself rather than merely complementing the environment where a painting will hang.
Using traditional Renaissance techniques, Hall has carved and gilded thousands of frames entirely by hand from basswood, with each project requiring meticulous attention to detail. "An average frame, if I'm going to carve and gild, will take me 40 hours – and that's about the lowest amount," Hall explained. "I'm working on a frame now that has 220 hours, and it'll be almost another 220 hours to go once I'm finished." His philosophy centers on selecting the appropriate frame based on style, shape, and color to complement the artwork regardless of where it might eventually be displayed.
Shannon Norberg, co-owner of Norberg Hall, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the traveling exhibition, noting that it offers something different for the gallery, which typically represents contemporary artists who are currently living and working. "What makes this a little dynamic for us is that we represent emerging, mid-career and established artists, which means they're living and working today," she said. "So, this is a different body of work than we normally have in our space."
Norberg highlighted Calgary's flourishing art scene and the city's rich community of artists and collectors. "We have a really rich community of artists and collectors," she said. "You don't have to be a buyer; you have to be an appreciator – and there's no better place than right now to do that." For the gallery staff, the three-day exhibition represents a unique opportunity to be surrounded by exquisite works of art, describing it as "a treat for us to come into every single day."
The Cowley Abbott exhibition runs from October 30 to November 1 at Norberg Hall, located at 333b 36 Ave. S.E. in Calgary. Following the Calgary preview, the collection will travel to Toronto for the November 26 auction, where these significant Canadian artworks will be offered to collectors and institutions worldwide.
