FAQ - Draft 4
“How many years of passion and creativity has Matilda brought to the Community?”
Delivery and Trials
“I'm not ready to commit. How do I know it's the ‘one'? Can I try the art in my space first?”
Locations
“Where can we find the art these days?”
“Who is Matilda Swanson?”
“Are you the artist?”
“Do you host events at MS Galleries?”
"is Matilda open to everyone"
“How do I get my art in here?”
“Do artists find you or do you find them?”
“How do you decide what artists to represent, and how to make that decision?”
“Do you buy art outright?” — different context here. This is people asking us if would buy art from them, from their own personal collection, or their parents, etc. That we do not do. You answer is more regarding payment plans, which is still great for another question.
“Do you offer classes?”
“What is the price point of the art?”
“How often does the art rotate, when do you get new art?”
“Do you sell prints?”
“Does the art go "on sale"? Or - Where is the sale section?”
“Why is the art so large?”
“How often do you sell a piece?” “Do people actually buy this kind of art?”
“Is it all oil?”
“Do you do framing?”
“Who are your favourite artists here?”
“Do you have a favourite painting?”
“Are you married?”
“How many years of passion and creativity has Matilda brought to the Community?”
- Sixteen years of art. EST 2009
- Origin story
- Recently relocating from Clarksburg to Collingwood
- Ask Sarah
Delivery and Trials
“I'm not ready to commit. How do I know it's the ‘one'? Can I try the art in my space first?”
- Yes, absolutely! We offer FREE delivery and FREE art trials! See how the art feels in your space before you commit to the purchase. We deliver to Toronto, GTA, South Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Kitchener and London. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule a free art trial today.
- It's simple! You can either take a piece home with you from the gallery, or browse our collection online and give us a call to request a trial. We'll take down your information and then follow up to see if it's a perfect fit. Or arrange to come pick it up if it's not. No pressure, no fuss.
- Yes! We are happy to come to your home to help you find the right piece. Whether it's the style, the size, or figuring out exactly where it should hang. Sometimes you just need a second eye, and we love being that person for you. Just reach out and we'll set something up!
Locations
“Where can we find the art these days?”
- Matilda has a new home in Collingwood Ontario! at 34 Marie st. We are located in the downtown art core in a very deceiving historical building. Come inside and experience original, vibrant artwork around every corner! Our hours are Wednesday - Saturday 11-4, Sunday 12-3 , Monday & Tuesday by appointment.
- Matilda also calls Stratford Ontario home! Head to 85 Downie St for Stratford's most unique art gallery and bar experience. Enjoy art with a drink in hand! Come visit us Sunday & Wednesday : 11am - 5pm Thursday - Saturday : 11am - 8pm
“Who is Matilda Swanson?”
- Matilda isn’t exactly a ‘who’ she’s more of a ‘what’; an essence if you will. She represents everything we stand for, supporting artists through sales, events, and real community connections. Think of her as that extraordinary, sharp-minded, wildly imaginative girl who dares to change her story, and inspires everyone around her to do the same.
“Are you the artist?”
- We wish we could take all that credit, but our galleries are so much more than one artist! Matilda Swanson Galleries is home to an eclectic mix of bold, original artwork from over 65 incredibly talented Canadian artists. Bold, Vibrant, Diverse, and always Original, come discover your next favourite artist.
- Some of the Matildas you meet at the gallery are actually artists featured in our collection, so you may just be getting a tour from the very person who made the work on the walls!
“Do you host events at MS Galleries?”
- Yes! We’re always down for a good time! Head to our Events Page to see what's coming up at both our Collingwood and Stratford locations. Have a vision of your own? Whether you are looking to purchase a painting, collaborate on an event, perform a music gig, or host a workshop, visit our Submit Page and find the form that suits you best. We would love to hear from you!
"is Matilda open to everyone"
- Matilda is a LGBTQIA2+ friendly and celebrating space!
- What sets Matilda Swanson Galleries apart from the rest is we are accessible. The gallery is not intimidating. The gallery is warm, colourful, welcoming, friendly, a place where one is free to be themselves and enjoy the art that speaks to them, and not be afraid of being judged for tastes different from their neighbours and friends
“How do I get my art in here?”
- We love that you are interested! Please visit our submissions page for everything you need to know about joining our gallery roster. We receive a high volume of submissions and will only reach out to artists whose work we would like to see more of, so please respect our process and refrain from dropping work off at the gallery unless we have requested it. Thank you for your interest, we are thrilled you want to be part of Matilda!
“Do artists find you or do you find them?”
- A little of both, actually! We love the thrill of discovering exciting new talent, and equally, we're always delighted when artists seek us out. If you're an artist who feels your work would be a great fit for Matilda Swanson Art Gallery, we'd love to hear from you, head over to our Submissions page to get in touch.
“How do you decide what artists to represent, and how to make that decision?”
- It all comes down to that unmistakable spark! We're drawn to work that feels truly original, art that couldn't have been made by anyone else. We look for a distinct point of view, a unique voice, and pieces that make you stop mid-step and just look.
“Do you buy art outright?” — different context here. This is people asking us if would buy art from them, from their own personal collection, or their parents, etc. That we do not do. You answer is more regarding payment plans, which is still great for another question.
- Yes! We happily accept outright purchases. Simply fall in love with a piece and take it home. For works valued at $1,000 or more, we also offer flexible payment plans to make collecting a little easier on your wallet. Just ask one of our team members and we'll find an arrangement that works for you.
“Do you offer classes?”
- We occasionally host workshops for those looking to get a little creative! Keep an eye on our Events page for upcoming dates and details you won't want to miss them.
- Are you looking to rehome part of your collection? We'd love to take a look! We do accept consignment pieces on occasion, though all work is carefully considered to ensure it's a good fit for the gallery. Reach out to us directly
- A wonderful mix of both! We're proud to have local talent, and you'll find their work displayed alongside artists from across Canada. It makes for a rich, dynamic collection one where every visit feels a little different and there's always something new to discover.
“What is the price point of the art?”
- Our collection has something for every budget! Prices range from $100 to $12,000, with the variation reflecting the artist, medium, and size of each piece.
“How often does the art rotate, when do you get new art?”
- There's always something fresh on our walls! Art is regularly rotated between our two gallery locations in Stratford and Collingwood, and with our wide and ever-growing roster of artists, new pieces are constantly coming through the door. Every visit is a new experience, you never quite know what treasure you might find!
“Do you sell prints?”
- We primarily focus on original works, as there's nothing quite like owning a one-of-a-kind piece! That said, artists occasionally drop off cards and small prints, so you may find a few on offer during your visit. A lovely option if you're looking for a beautiful, affordable keepsake.
“Does the art go "on sale"? Or - Where is the sale section?”
- Our art doesn't go on sale in the traditional sense — each piece is priced to reflect the care and talent that went into creating it. However, we love to make collecting exciting! During special events, we occasionally offer discounts or the chance to win dollars off your purchase, as well as unique collaborative offers. The best way to stay in the loop is to follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter so you never miss out.
“Why is the art so large?”
- Art truly comes in all shapes and sizes — and we celebrate that! While we carry pieces across the full size spectrum, many of our Collingwood clients have beautiful, expansive walls just waiting to make a statement. A large piece of art can completely transform a space, and we love helping people find that perfect showstopper. That said, if you're looking for something a little more intimate, we have plenty of those too!
“How often do you sell a piece?” “Do people actually buy this kind of art?”
- More often than you might think! We know the question on some minds is "do people actually buy this kind of art?" and the answer is a very confident yes. Pieces find their forever homes regularly, and sometimes a work doesn't last the week before someone falls head over heels for it. Art lovers are everywhere, and great work has a way of finding them.
“Is it all oil?”
- Not at all! Matilda Gallery features artists working across a wide range of mediums and techniques. From painting to mixed media and beyond, there is always something new and unexpected to discover on our walls.
“Do you do framing?”
- We don't offer framing in-house, but we're always happy to point you in the direction of our trusted local framer who can do your new piece justice!
“Who are your favourite artists here?”
- Oh, that's like asking a parent to pick a favourite child! Every artist in our collection has been chosen with care, and each one brings something completely unique to the walls. We'd rather let you wander and find your own favourite, that's half the joy of visiting.
“Do you have a favourite painting?”
- Honestly, it changes every time new work comes through the door. Just when we think we've found the one, something extraordinary arrives and steals the spotlight all over again. The heart wants what it wants!
“Are you married?”
- We appreciate the curiosity, but we're better at matchmaking between people and art
"Is the bar always open?"
"What's on the menu?"
- We wish it were! Here are our current hours so you never miss out: Sunday & Wednesday: 11am – 5pm & Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 8pm (We're closed Monday & Tuesday, because even the best bars need a little rest!)
"What's on the menu?"
- There is something for everyone at Matilda's bar! We have a creative lineup of cocktails inspired by art and artists, several of which can be made as mocktails for $10. On the beer front, we pour local draught from Black Swan and Son's Brewing, plus a solid wine list by the glass or bottle. Not drinking? We have espresso drinks, tea, hot chocolate, and our house specialty, the Matilda on Ice. And don't forget the bar snacks, olives, pretzels, Matilda Mix, and Local Poppin' Kettle Corn to keep the good times going. Everything we pour is proudly Canadian. Because drinking locally just tastes better.