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Two Rivers Gallery is a vital centre for visual art in Prince George and the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is run by the nonprofit Prince George Regional Art Gallery Association with a mission to:
- Encourage lifelong learning through the arts,
- Create an environment for vigorous artistic and cultural expression and
- Provide opportunities for diverse experiences through participation and exhibition.
gallery hours
Sunday: |
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noon to 5:00pm |
Monday: |
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10:00am to 5:00pm |
Tuesday: |
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10:00am to 5:00pm |
Wednesday: |
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10:00am to 5:00pm |
Thursday: |
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10:00am to 9:00pm |
Friday: |
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10:00am to 5:00pm |
Saturday: |
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10:00am to 5:00pm |
admissions
Adult: |
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$7.50 |
Seniors/Students: |
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$6.00 |
Children 5-12: |
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$3.00 |
Under 5: |
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Free |
Families: |
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$15.00 (restrictions apply) |
FREE THURSDAYS - All day, and open late until 9:00pm! Sponsorships available.

the evolution of prince george's public art gallery
- 1949 - The Prince George Art Society was established. Members met in each other's homes and in the basement of the old Civic Centre and arranged exhibits.
- 1969 - Exhibition space was established in a small house donated by Gordon and Jackie Swanky at 1362-7th Avenue as the Gordon Gallery, now Frameworks Gallery.
- 1971 - The Prince George Regional Art Gallery Association was incorporated.
- 1976 - The exhibition space moved into the old Ministry of Forests warehouse at 2820-15th Avenue.
- 1985 - The society began its permanent collection.
- 1993 - Two professional studies were initiated in regard to a new facility: Planning & Development Feasibility study by Lord Cultural Resources Planning and Management and a Functional & Technical Programming Study by Boni-Maddison Architects.
- 1994 - Hancock & Johns Architects of Edmonton completed a Concept Design.
- 1995 - Capital Campaign began.
- 1999 - The groundbreaking at 725 Civic Plaza was in April.
- 2000 - The Grand Opening was held on June 29.
the building
Construction
- approx. 300 people involved in construction
- begun in April 1999 - completed June 2000
- total hours for construction - approx. 2800
- structure - painted steel frame and structural concrete slab
- all surfaces are benign, inert or "eco-sensitive" to prevent "off-gassing" and particulate matter
- curved zinc panels for roof and sidewalls
- internally - hardened concrete, drywall, wood (fir) and dolomite stone
- Cost of $5.2 million ($1.25 million raised through art gallery Capital Campaign)
- approx. 16,000 sq. feet in total
- 48 feet tall at highest point
- 49 feet wide
- 200 feet long
Dimensions - Canfor Exhibition Galleries
- each measures 1,264 sq. feet
- each has 13 foot high walls for hanging
- each has 20 foot ceilings (in centre)
- each has 260 running feet of hanging space
Design - Important Concepts
- "Cocooning" - placing the exhibition galleries in the centre of the building so as to provide further protection from the external environment
- "Daylighting" - use of natural light in galleries. Skylights allow 2nd floor of building to function similarly to light-mixing attics of 19th century Picture Galleries.
Symbolism in Design
- inspired by geography and industry of city/area
- sloping roof, arching ribs and forecourt of boulders and shrubs symbolize cutbanks and riverbed of Nechako and Fraser Rivers
- ribs made from Douglas fir - speaks to importance of forestry industry in region
- wood used throughout facility in places where visitors will experience it most directly - the exhibition gallery floors, the stairs leading to the 2nd floor, the bannister and door pulls
- white siding - relates to neighbouring buildings in the Civic Plaza and the snow
- chimney flue - metal surrounds suggest a mill burner
- stair railing as abstracted forest deadfalls
Environmental Controls
- located in the mechanical room between 1st and 2nd floors
- energy management system monitors temperature and humidity
- ideal conservation of art no more than 5% fluctuation in temp. or humidity
- humidity kept between 50% to 60% year round
- 3 sets of air filters
- carbon filters ensure air is free of gasses that may be present outside
- conventional air filters remove dust from airstream
Staff
- 8 full-time employees
- 10 part-time employees
- 5 summer students