Welcome to GUM Gallery, short for the “Gallery of Unsellable Masterpieces”. GUM is a new artist-run conceptual art gallery in Meaford, celebrating ideas and curiosity. This is the place for art that sticks with you, art you can chew on, and art that pops.
The work here ranges from thoughtful and philosophical to playful and imaginative. Some pieces ask big questions, while others invite you to smile.
Inside the gallery, the north side of the space highlights local creativity and projects. You will find the Tidbits Meaford History Project (www.tidbits.site), work by gallery owners Mikael Sandblom and Viz Saraby, and a dedicated section for local artists including a touchscreen TV with stories and profiles.
The wall on the south side of the gallery is reserved for rotating exhibitions by visiting conceptual artists, bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas into the space throughout the year.
At the back of the gallery is a working hairdressing salon. Visitors waiting for a haircut are invited to sit in the gallery, spend time with the artwork, and enjoy the unusual overlap of art and everyday life.
The Art: Predictable in values, unpredictable in outcome
GUM Gallery is a non-commercial exhibition space for conceptual practices, ideas, and work that resists easy categorization or commodification. Ideas come first. Sales are incidental.
Our Core Values
- Ideas over objects: Concepts come first; outcomes are secondary.
- Clarity over polish: Rough edges are welcome; perfection is not required.
- Risk over safety: Challenge conventions, test formats, provoke thought.
- Conversation over foot traffic: Meaningful engagement matters more than visitor counts.
Our Approach
GUM is a test site. A pause. A space to try work that may not fit anywhere else. If your work is necessary, if it unsettles, excites, or questions, GUM is where it belongs.
- Conceptual, research-driven, or idea-led.
- Helps viewers see the world with a new perspective.
- Site-responsive, context-aware, or socially engaged.
- Unsettling, exciting, or questioning.
Artist Invitation
GUM Gallery is seeking conceptual artists for upcoming exhibitions. We are not a rental gallery. We curate through conversation, curiosity, and ideas. We welcome work that is unresolved, unusual, or hard to sell.
What We Offer:
- A dedicated exhibition space outside the urban circuit.
- Support for site-responsive, experimental, and socially engaged projects.
- Documentation that preserves your project thoughtfully, not instantly.
What We Ask:
- Propose ideas, not finished work.
- Engage with context and/or audiences in unexpected ways.
- Embrace risk, ambiguity, and experimentation.
If your work questions, excites, or unsettles, GUM is a space to explore it freely.
To Apply: Submit a brief proposal or sketch via email. Include a few lines on your idea, your medium, and how your work might interact with GUM or the town. Send info to: info@gumgallery.ca
Commission on Sales: Sales are not our primary concern for the work that we show. However, should your work sell, a commission of 25% would be appreciated or maybe donate a piece to the gallery; your ideas come first.
Transportation to Meaford: Meaford is a 2.5-hour drive north of Toronto along the shores of Georgian Bay and is serviced by The Flix bus offering daily return trips. The gallery is located at 46 Sykes Street North.
gumgallery.ca 