Sudbury Art Galleries, Murals & Shops: A 2025 Guide to the City’s Art Scene

Art lovers have a choice of great colourful, creative places to visit in Sudbury. This friendly city in Northern Ontario is less than a day’s drive from Ottawa, Montreal and just four hours from Toronto. Read on to discover some of Sudbury’s best art destinations.

Visit the Art Gallery of Sudbury’s New (Temporary) Home  

The Art Gallery of Sudbury AGS) is moving to a new permanent location in late 2026, but in the meantime it’s found on Elgin Street in Sudbury’s downtown. Admission is free for kids and by donation for adults. Check out its displays of contemporary art at the Exhibition space at 174 Elgin—one recent exhibit featured Sudbury-based artist Tarun, while other offerings included a roundup of new additions to the permanent collection and a showcase of talented young artists from local secondary schools. Shop for artistic souvenirs like jewelry, woodworking, pottery and paintings by Canadian artists (including many from Northeastern Ontario) at the Gift Shop just next door at 172 Elgin. Or, take part in community programming for both kids and adults, like workshops, lessons and lectures at their Art Education Hub at 52 Gill Street. While you’re planning your visit, be sure to take a peek at the gallery’s wealth of online exhibits, including those by Indigenous artists, too.

Say “Oui!” to the Galerie de Nouvel-Ontario: Contemporary Francophone Art in Sudbury

The Galerie de Nouvel-Ontario (GNO) in the Place des Arts is a free, artist-run centre, bringing together Ontario’s francophone artists working in contemporary visual art. It’s centrally located too, at 27 Larch Street. The GNO puts together about seven exhibits per year (one recent one featured art by Ron Langin), as well as occasionally large, permanent pieces in non-traditional spaces, such as Le chien qui voit tout by Sudbury artist Mary Green (visible from Hwy. 69) and Élémental by Kapuskasing artist Normand Fortin (found at the Collège Boréal campus). Take a look at the GNO Facebook page to find out more about what’s in store.

Amberhill Gallery: Art, Workshops, and Shopping

For art fans who also like to shop, Amberhill Gallery & Gift Shop is a must-do. Found at 601 Kathleen Street on the northwest side of town, Amberhill is an artist-run space that showcases work by Canadian artists, and also offers fun workshops, such as one recent one about collage portraits. In the gallery, take a look at a range of visiting exhibits that feature a wide range of styles and genres, while the shop carries everything from quirky stickers and cards to beautiful prints, pottery and art supplies like Beam Paints, sustainably hand-crafted by an Indigenous-owned company. Amberhill’s Instagram and Facebook page are your best way to discover what’s new and fresh at the venue.

Take a Colourful Mural Walk Through Downtown Sudbury

Murals are the perfect way to combine a stroll, perhaps with a hot beverage or tasty ice cream in hand, and a love of art. Sudbury is home to an impressively large (more than 50!) range of murals and public art pieces, thanks to the UpHere Urban Arts & Music Festival that has been creating and curating them for more than a dozen years. Take a two-hour guided tour when available, or you can follow your own schedule and do your own self-guided tour via the festival app.

Buna Goods: A Boutique for One-of-a-Kind Handmade Treasures and Pottery

If you find yourself wandering downtown Sudbury, do yourself a favour and pop into Buna Goods (at 149 Regional Rd 42, just around the corner from Books and Beans). The space is brimming with handcrafted items, textiles, prints, and small-batch goods that tell stories of local artists and makers. It’s a warm, welcoming little shop that’s brimming with personality—and mostly, with pottery. Beautifully handcrafted pieces line the shelves, each one with its own story and charm. From everyday mugs to unique statement pieces, the pottery here strikes that perfect balance between practical and artful. Buna Goods is a love note to slow living, Northern creativity, and the joy of surrounding yourself with things that feel good to use. 

Find Inspiration at Art & Soul Gallery: Local Art and Hands-On Creativity in Sudbury

At 6 Baker Street in Sudbury, Art & Soul Gallery is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and soak in some creative inspiration. Owned and run by local artist Carmen Martorella, the gallery is filled with her vibrant, joy-filled paintings—works that reflect the beauty of Northern Ontario and the emotion behind every brushstroke. But this cozy spot is more than just a gallery; it’s also a space to learn, play, and reconnect with your own creativity. Carmen offers relaxed, welcoming painting classes and socials for all levels, and she’s got a knack for helping people feel at ease with a canvas and brush. You can view her recent work or follow class updates on her Facebook page. Whether you’re looking for a unique piece of art or you’re curious to try your hand at painting yourself, Art & Soul is a little hidden gem worth discovering. Stop by, say hi, and maybe check out a class—you just might surprise yourself.

Art and Atmosphere: Where To Eat, Drink and Browse in Sudbury

Browsing and dining is an essential part of any visit, and you can definitely find art-friendly venues to do just that in Sudbury. Books and Beans is an independent bookstore and café at 158 Elgin (very close to the AGS) where you can enjoy yummy soups, salads, coffee, pastries and more in bookish surroundings, complemented by local art, including examples by the Sudbury Art Club. Another local favourite is The Laughing Buddha at 194 Elgin, with a beautiful patio and eatery where you can choose from pizza, craft beer, fresh hummus and soups, salads and sandwiches. It’s also one of the AGS’s off-site venues to display art—for example, natural history-themed work by local artist Amanda Perry. Other venues where you can sometimes view local art or take part in art workshops—or simply get delicious food and drink in an inspiring environment—include Pinchman’s artisanal bakery, Kuppajo Espresso Bar, Knowhere Public House, and Le Bistro at Place des Arts. You can also see local art on display at the Long Lake and Barrydowne Road locations of Barrydowne Paint, which both have galleries displaying original works. Finally, definitely check out the Sudbury Art Club’s lineup of events to get a sense of the local art scene and upcoming community exhibits that are open to the public.

Plan Your Sudbury Art Adventure Today

Exploring the art of Sudbury through its galleries, shops, venues and tours is the perfect opportunity to discover an exciting emerging artist. Take the chance to stroll or bike to see vibrant murals, or take in the work of an established local artist who is intimately familiar with the area’s landscape and culture. Enjoy!

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