Prairie Palette (Art galleries)

It happens in an old sewing factory in Winnipeg's historic Exchange District. Here, with light from grand arched windows streaming in and a thousand broken sewing needles embedded in century-old hardwood floors, the artists of 70 Arthur Street invite visitors into their creative spaces. It's all part of a citywide celebration called In Plain View and the sewing factory is just one location where you'll see original pieces in the spaces where there were created. Watch for In Plain View weekends in June and December.

To get a feel for art in another part of the province, head to Brandon's Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba where at least a third of the programming is dedicated to Aboriginal and Metis artists. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop and take home an original creation in oil, acrylic, metal, wood or ceramic.

And speaking of gift shops, the Gallery Shoppes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery is the desired destination for a unique wedding gift, housewarming present or little token for your visiting grandchildren. The mix starts with funky kids collectables from the Museum of Modern Art and goes all the way up to Inuit carving. In between there are handcrafted silk scarves, art glass pieces, contemporary jewellery and great books.

Manitoba's love affair with Inuit art has been going on since the beginning of European settlement and it shows no sign of slowing down. At the Bayat Gallery, you'll find over 1,000 sculptures showcasing the work of the masters as well as emerging artists of the north. For something beyond sculpture, visit Nunavut Gallery for prints, drawings and wall hangings including a few pieces by renowned Baker Lake artist Jessie Oonark.