Okay Vancouver, I have found another one of those little city gems that makes me feel like we are way too lucky to live here. And this one involves art, Canadian talent, a gorgeous downtown gallery, AND supporting young creatives.
Basically… yes. Add it to the calendar. 🎨✨
Splash 2026 is taking over the Pendulum Gallery this September, giving us a chance to get up close and personal with approximately 100 original works by established and emerging Canadian artists — and the best part?
It’s FREE.
The Splash Art Collection exhibition runs September 8 to October 1 at the Pendulum Gallery at 855 W. Georgia Street, offering a month-long sneak peek at the artwork before it heads to the big Splash Art Auction on October 3.
And honestly, I love this kind of Vancouver outing.
You don’t need to be someone who knows the difference between a masterpiece and something your kid made at 2 a.m. with glitter and a glue stick. 😂 You can simply wander through, look at beautiful and interesting things, discover artists you may not have encountered before, and enjoy a little dose of culture in the middle of the city.
And if you do fall madly in love with a piece?
You can actually bid on the artwork online starting September 8.
Which means your casual little “let’s go look at art” outing could potentially turn into “well, apparently we own a piece of Canadian art now.”
No judgement from me.
And here’s the part I REALLY love…
This isn’t just about pretty things hanging on walls.
Splash is Arts Umbrella’s flagship fundraiser, with proceeds supporting arts education for young people through scholarships, bursaries and community programming. Arts Umbrella serves approximately 20,000 young people each year, with nearly 80% accessing programming at no cost thanks to donor support.
So every bid is doing a little more than potentially getting you something fabulous for your wall.
It’s helping open the door to creativity for the next generation.
And THAT is something I can get behind.
Who’s on the art lineup?
The 2026 collection features some seriously impressive Canadian and international voices, including Edward Burtynsky, Don Yeomans, Greg Girard, Landon Mackenzie, Andrew Dadson, Marie Khouri, Jake Kimble, Moses Salihou, Johnny Pootoogook and Sarah Anne Johnston, among others.
So whether you’re an art collector, an art lover, someone who just likes wandering into galleries, or someone looking for a slightly more interesting downtown adventure than “let’s go shopping again”…
Splash is worth checking out.
And because the exhibition is free, this is also a pretty fantastic option for a Vancouver day out when you want to do something cultural without immediately handing over half your bank account.
📍 Splash 2026 Art Collection Exhibition
September 8 – October 1, 2026
Pendulum Gallery
855 W. Georgia Street, Vancouver
Admission: FREE
The complete 2026 collection will also be available online beginning September 8 for those who want to browse and bid from home.
And if you’re feeling fancy, the whole thing culminates in the 44th annual Splash Art Auction on October 3 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, featuring dinner, performances, a live auction and even a red-carpet moment.
But for me?
I’m starting with the free gallery visit.
Because apparently I am now the kind of woman who says, “Let’s go look at some Canadian art!” and honestly… I’m okay with that. 😂
Go get cultured, Vancouver. And maybe come home with something fabulous.
Splash 2026 is presented by Arts Umbrella, with the exhibition running September 8–October 1 at Pendulum Gallery.