F rom the Museum of Fine Arts/Houston to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, many art museums try, themselves, to be works of art. The Winnipeg Art Gallery is one of the few that succeeds. It can be imagined that the WAG is rising like a shark fin out of the prairie, if it weren't located in one of the busiest sections of town. While the building is not, the institution is the oldest public art gallery in western Canada, having been founded in 1912. It started as a simple gallery in two rooms of the old Federal Building on Main street, but as the city thrived, the gallery quickly outgrew its home. Moving to what is now the Manitoba Archives Building gave it more space, and the ability to further its goal of civilizing the prairie boomtown. It wasn't until the 1960's that the WAG contemplated moving to its next home. The one it has now finally opened in 1971. Like the Legislative Building, it is constructed of Manitoba Tyndall limestone. And like most galleries, it features exhibition space, an auditorium, and a gift shop. But it also has a wonderful rooftop sculpture garden. This is the perfect place to take a break after viewing one of the finest art collections in North America.
