Decades ago, Gallery 1313 took over an old police station in Parkdale, turning what was once a place of authority into a home for artists, a space to grow, and a place where the Parkdale art community comes together. This artist-run space has always been about creativity, inclusivity, and making art accessible to everyone. Now, with its upcoming move to the Parkdale Community Hub, the gallery is entering a new chapter—one that comes with challenges but also a lot of exciting possibilities.
A Legacy of Supporting Artists
Founded in 1998, Gallery 1313 has always been about offering opportunities for artists who might not otherwise have them. With 70 exhibitions a year, the gallery has been a space for visual artists, sculptors, photographers, and multimedia creators to share their work.
The gallery is dedicated to supporting emerging and underrepresented artists, often at crucial early stages in their careers. But it’s not just for newcomers—its community includes everyone from students to long-established professionals, creating a space where different generations of artists can connect and inspire one another.
This openness extends to the audience too. Exhibition openings bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, sexualities, and ethnicities, making Gallery 1313 a rare and welcoming space in Toronto’s art scene. Unlike commercial galleries that run on exclusivity, Gallery 1313 has always been about accessibility—artists don’t need to have connections or a big reputation to exhibit here.
Like most non-profit art spaces, it operates with financial limitations, but that hasn’t stopped it from actively supporting artists, marginalized groups, and charities. From fundraising for Nelly’s Shelter to working with social service agencies supporting CAMH mental health programs, the gallery continues to prioritize community impact.
Exhibits open at Gallery 1313: VASA ‘s HORIZON of HUES + SHIMMER and THE PORTRAIT Exhibit
Source: Gallery 1313 Instagram post, 2024
The gallery also offers residencies, portfolio reviews, workshops, and community partnerships that connect artists with new audiences and bring the community together.
Members include both emerging and established artists, all of whom benefit from the gallery’s commitment to providing space, visibility, and career development opportunities. Offering artists a platform to showcase their work while also introducing them to curators, arts professionals, and fellow creatives.
Gerda R Wekerle, an artist who has worked with Gallery 1313 for many years, shared how it has provided her with consistent exhibition opportunities, with at least two to three shows per year featuring her paintings. Last April, she presented her two-week solo exhibition, Disruptive Skylines, at the gallery.
Gerda also spoke about how important an independent art space like Gallery 1313 is in Toronto. Without spaces like this, many artists would have very few opportunities to showcase their work beyond online platforms – a option that is far from ideal to most visual art.
“With something like painting or sculpture, you can’t really get a sense of the scale, texture, or the special configuration.” she explained. Art isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how it feels in a room, how it interacts with light, and how the audience experiences it up close. Spaces like Gallery 1313 make that kind of experience accessible, giving artists a place where their work can be seen.
Exhibits open at Gallery 1313: Gerda R. Wekerle’s Exhibit- Disruptive Skylines
Source: Gallery 1313 Instagram post, 2024
Beyond exhibitions, the gallery has hosted film screenings, panel talks, book launches, and various community events, giving members the chance to present their work in different contexts. Gallery 1313 actively supports its members in ways that extend far beyond providing wall space. It’s a place where artists can experiment, collaborate, and grow, both within the gallery and in the broader Toronto art scene.
A Space for Everyone
Gallery 1313 has always been about more than just showing art— it’s about creating a space where people feel welcome. It’s one of the few independent art spaces left in the city that still prioritizes accessibility, making sure that anyone, not just artists or collectors, can walk in and experience the artworks. The gallery was founded on the idea that art should be a shared experience, something that brings people together rather than shutting them out.
Phil Anderson, the gallery’s executive director, has long emphasized that this isn’t a space where visitors are met with cold stares and gatekeeping. Instead, Gallery 1313 is about openness—anyone can walk in, engage with the art, and feel a sense of belonging. It has become a gathering place where local artists and residents connect over shared creative experiences. “My idea is to make it as accessible as possible and not to be one of those places where somebody sits behind a desk and looks you up and down.” said Phil.
Phil Anderson Trimming to Unveil the New Shows
Source: Gallery 1313 Instagram post, 2024
Parkdale has long been home to a diverse range of cultures, and Gallery 1313 makes sure its programming reflects that. Because of the large Tibetan community in the neighborhood, the gallery has hosted exhibitions by international Tibetan artists, including one based in Amsterdam. By supporting artists from different backgrounds, Gallery 1313 ensures that the voices and stories of Parkdale’s communities are represented.
This deep connection to the local community makes the upcoming move to the Parkdale Community Hub especially significant. As the city reshapes the landscape at Queen & Cowan, Gallery 1313 is preparing to move into a new, integrated space that will house the gallery and also other cultural and social services.
The Move to Parkdale Hub
Why the Move?
The Parkdale Hub project is a city-led redevelopment aimed at creating more affordable housing, community spaces, and better cultural facilities for the neighborhood. To ensure a smooth transition, the construction will be carried out in three phases:
• Phase 1: Gallery 1313 will relocate to the West Block, replacing the current Dollarama.
• Phase 2: the existing gallery building at 1313 Queen St.W will be demolished, but its heritage facade will be preserved as part of the new Parkdale Library in the Centre Block.
• Phase 3: the old Parkdale Library will be replaced by the East Block, which will house affordable housing, artist live-work studios and community office.
Parkdale Hub ‘s Construction Plan
Source: City of Toronto Planning Report, 2023
For Phil Anderson and many others, the move is bittersweet. The building the gallery has called home for decades is an old Art Deco building with a unique character, one that has been deeply tie to Gallery 1313’s identity. It holds history, memories, and a sense of familiarity that’s hard to leave behind.
At the same time move opens the door to new. There’s a possibility that the gallery could have a storefront facing the street, something that would bring in more visitors and make the space feel more open to the public. But with construction still in itsearly stages, nothing is set in stone yet—the building has yet to be built, and some details are still being finalized.
When the gallery first opened, having a hidden entrance was actually a good thing. The neighborhood was rougher back then, and keeping the gallery tucked away helped protect the space from the unpredictability outside. But Parkdale has changed. The community has grown, the streets feel different, and the idea of a more open, welcoming gallery feels possible now in a way it didn’t before.
There’s no doubt the move will be an adjustment, but what won’t change is what Gallery 1313 stands for. It will still be a place where artists can gather, the community can engage with art, and where people can come in and feel welcome. Change is never easy, but it also means new possibilities—and whatever happens, the heart of Gallery 1313 will move forward with it.
Description: A street-level view showcasing the gallery’s Art Deco façade.
Source: NowPlayingToronto.com
The Benefits and Challenges
The details of the redevelopment are still being worked out, and many things remain. Artist member Gerda who has long been with the gallery is concerned about the many competing voices shaping the design process. She believes it’s crucial for the gallery to stay actively involved, speak up for its needs, and closely follow any changes to the plans. Without strong advocacy, there’s a real risk that Gallery 1313 could be overlooked in the final development. Ensuring that Gallery 1313 can stay in the new space at an affordable rent is critical for its future.
Despite the uncertainties, the Parkdale Hub opens up new possibilities for Gallery 1313.The space will come with modernized and potentially bigger exhibition space, better infrastructure, and updated amenities. Being part of a bigger and newly built community hub also means more people will come across the gallery, creating new opportunities for engagement. After the move, the gallery will be more accessible to the community and more integrated within the Parkdale Hub, aligning with its vision of being a space that truly serves artists and the public. There’s also the potential to host more international shows, expanding its reach beyond Toronto while still staying deeply connected to its local roots.
While the rent structure and final floor plans are still being determined, the gallery is already in discussions with architects and city officials to make sure the new space meets the needs of artists and the community. Change always comes with risks, but what matters most is that Gallery 1313 continues to be a place where artists feel supported and where the community still feels at home.
Navigating the Transition
The relocation won’t happen overnight. With an estimated timeline of 2028-2030, there’s still a lot to figure out. For Gallery 1313, this means staying involved in the planning process, giving input on the design, and preparing for temporary adjustments—it may have to close for a month during the move.
There’s also a collective effort to ensure financial sustainability. A 10-year lease is in place, and discussions about funding support from organizations like United Way are ongoing. The focus now is on making sure the transition is as smooth as possible, so the gallery can continue to support artists and serve the community in its new space.
Looking Ahead
Gallery 1313 has never been just about the space—it’s about the people who show up in it– the artists who take risks, the visitors who stumble upon something unexpected, and the community members who find a place to connect. Moving into the Parkdale Hub is more than relocating, it’s also about carrying this spirit forward, making sure the gallery remains a home for artists and a gathering place for the neighborhood.
Parkdale has changed, and Gallery 1313 has been here to witness it all. What was once a neighborhood struggling with crime and instability has transformed into a more vibrant and connected community. Soon, the gallery itself will be part of a brand-new space, another chapter in Parkdale’s ongoing evolution.
As Toronto grows, spaces like Gallery 1313 are more important than ever. They give artists a place to be seen, bring people together, and keep creativity at the heart of the city. The move comes with uncertainty, but if the last two decades have proven anything, it’s that this gallery isn’t going anywhere—it will continue to create, support, and adapt, just as it always has.
By Yu Xie
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