Frequently Asked Questions
- ‘On Approval’
- Consulting
- Shipping Information
- Art Dimensions & Sizes
- Layaway and Leasing
- Design Trade Program
- Artist Submission Policy
- How to Hang Your Painting
- Cleaning Oil or Acrylic Paintings
- Caring for Jewelry
- Care of Glass Vessels
- Caring for Carved Wood Sculptures
- Caring for Soapstone Sculptures
‘On Approval’
The Avenue Gallery understands that finding the perfect piece of fine art for your home or business can be a challenging experience. We are pleased to provide you with the opportunity to take home the artwork on a trial or approval basis for up to 48 hours. If the piece is not a correct fit for your environment, it may be returned for a full refund.
Digital Superimposing Service
Curious how a painting would look in your space? Take advantage of The Avenue Gallery’s complimentary superimposing service! The team are happy to digitally insert a painting of your choice into an image your interior. Simply send an email (to info@theavenuegallery.com) of a head-on photo of your wall and dimensions and the team will work their magic!
Consulting
IN-HOME
Our experienced staff will guide you in the selection process. We will work with you to determine your style and budget, deliver the pieces, help you decide on the perfect location and professionally install the artwork.
CORPORATE
Are you in a new office, renovating an existing space or planning a move? Including original artwork in your plans is an important element in creating a professional environment that reflects your company’s brand. We offer a complete art consultation service that includes office space assessment, initial viewing of proposed artwork, framing advice and installation. Flexible payment plans and leasing options are available.
Shipping Information
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE
Shipping is available on purchases of wall/flat art valued measuring no more than 150 united inches (length + double width + double depth) and small three-dimensional sculptures, ceramics and glass to destinations in Canada and the Continental U.S.A. excluding Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.
- Canada – from $95
- U.S.A. – from $195*
*Please be aware of brokerage processing fees that will be charged to the receiver by a brokerage company in the receiver’s country.
Oversized and fragile items will be charged as follows (in addition to crating, if required):
- Canada – from $250*
- U.S.A. – from $350*
* Oversized/fragile rate is up to and including 50lbs. Shipments over 50lbs will be charged an additional cost.
Jewellery will be charged as follows:
- Canada – from $25
- U.S.A. & International – please contact Gallery for quote
For all shipments outside the continental Canada and USA, please contact us for a quote on our toll-free number 1-844-598-2184.
PACKAGING
All purchases will be packaged in cardboard shipping boxes or crated in custom built wood crates (depending on the size, destination and value) and are protected to ensure safe arrival.
PREFERED CARRIERS AND INFORMATION
Purolator / Loomis / Canpar / FedEx / UPS
- Signature upon delivery is required
- Packages arrive Monday to Friday during business hours
- Shipping Tracking number will be emailed to you to enable you to track the progress of your shipment
OVERSIZED ARTWORK
- Crates or packages exceeding 150 united inches (length + double width + double depth) will be shipped via a preferred freight forwarder.
INSURANCE
- Insurance is available for items up to a value of $5000 CAD. Please contact gallery for insurance rates.
DAMAGE - IMPORTANT
- Upon receipt immediately inspect the shipment and note any damages to the crate or package with the shipping carrier present.
- Upon opening the crate or package notify The Avenue Gallery immediately of any damage by calling 1-250-598-2184 or emailing info@theavenuegallery.com.
- The Avenue Gallery is not responsible for damage that occurs during transit with shipping companies, however we will work with the carrier to reach a resolution.
RETURNS
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- The gallery accepts returns for exchange or gallery credit only, within 48 hours of receipt.
- Artwork returned for exchange must be packaged in the same container as it was shipped and arrive at the gallery undamaged.
- Shipping costs are the responsibility of purchaser.
COMMISSIONED AND SPECIAL ORDER ITEMS
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- All artwork commissioned by you and special order items are final sale.
SHIPMENTS WITHIN CANADA
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Local Pickup – City Of Victoria
When purchasing online you can choose to pick up from The Avenue Gallery free of charge.
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Within BC
GST and PST will be charged on all shipments within British Columbia.
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To Other Provinces
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) which includes the 5% Federal Portion and the Provincial Portion will be charged as follows, when shipped out the province of British Columbia to:
- New Brunswick – 15%
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 15%
- Nova Scotia – 15%
- Ontario – 13%
- Prince Edward Island – 15%
For the following provinces, where the GST (General Sales Tax) and the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) have not be harmonized, the 5% GST portion will only be charged on shipments out of the province of British Columbia:
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
All purchases made and shipped within Canada will be packaged and sent within 5 to 10 business days.
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INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
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To The U.S.A.
- All artwork is exempt from Sales Tax when shipped out of Canada.
- Original artwork is duty free when shipping into the U.S.A.
- Please be aware of brokerage processing fees that will be charged to the receiver by a brokerage company in the U.S.A.
For all shipments outside the continental Canada and USA please request a quote on our toll free number 1-844-598-2184.
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Art Dimensions & Sizes
All dimensions on our website are listed in inches. For consistency, all paintings’ dimensions on the website are listed as unframed. Please contact for framing information.
Layaway and Leasing
The Avenue Gallery offers two methods of payment plans. Please call the gallery at 1-844-598-2184 to speak with us about which payment options may be right for you.
No interest Layaway Payment Plan:
- A 25% deposit is required; with a second 25% payment within thirty (30) days. Upon payment of 50% of the total, payments may be stretched out over the course of 6 to 12 months.
- No interest is charged
- Please note a 10% cancellation policy on all cancelled layaways
Art Lease Canada – Lease to Own:
- Budget an affordable amount each month to acquire art
- Length of term can be up to 5 years
- You are buying not renting the art
- You can lease 100% of the purchase price
- If you own a business, leases that qualify as valid business expenses are fully tax deductible.
Design Trade Program
The Avenue Gallery’s exclusive trade program offers design professionals a 10% incentive on purchases for their clients and projects. If you are a designer, architect or builder we would love to collaborate with you!
Our collection features distinguished contemporary and classic art including paintings, sculpture, glass and ceramics by both established and emerging Canadian artists. We work closely with our artists and can also arrange to commission a custom work of art for a specific environment.
Whether you are outfitting a restaurant, hotel or putting the finishing touches on a corporate or residential project, The Avenue Gallery has pieces that will enhance any project and fit every budget. We are a valuable resource for all professionals in the industry seeking to offer their clients carefully chosen works of art that express individuality and are tailored to their environment.
To support you, our experienced art consultants are here to assist with art selection, presentations and quotations. Additionally, our “Fine Art Lease to Purchase Program” offers flexible payment options for your clients.
We look forward to working with you!
Artist Submission Policy
Submission Guidelines
The Avenue Gallery proudly represents over 60 Canadian artists and is dedicated to making art accessible to everyone. We showcase paintings, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery in a variety of styles, mediums and subject matter, at all price levels. As one of Canada’s most diverse galleries, we are always interested in hearing from new artists. Whether you are established or emerging, we would love to see your art!
The Avenue Gallery accepts submissions by email only. To ensure that our clients receive dedicated time and attention, we are unable to make appointments or view portfolios spontaneously during gallery hours. Please choose one of the following options to submit your work:
1. Email a Letter of Introduction and a link to your website to info@theavenuegallery.com. Ensure that all required information about yourself and your work is available on your website.
2. Email to info@theavenuegallery.com and include the following information:
- A Letter of Introduction
- A professional, engaging Biography and Artist’s Statement
- A minimum of 10 digital images of recent work (within the last 6-12 months) submitted as JPEG files. Include a list of titles, mediums, sizes and selling prices for all images.
Please do not call the gallery regarding your submission. If you have additional questions, email info@theavenuegallery.com.
How to hang your painting
Paintings on canvas are easy to take care of, and should stay looking good as new for many, many years. There are a few steps that can help keep you art work in tip top condition:
1. Where to hang your painting:
Paints are created using a variety of pigments. Some of them are natural pigments that naturally are susceptible to change depending upon the environment that they ‘live’ in so it is best to try to hang your paintings in places where they will be exposed to the most stable environment possible. It is not ideal to hang a painting over a radiator, fireplace or other heat source. Try not to hang a painting on a wall that receives direct sunlight (the worst case is a wall where only half the picture sits in direct sunlight as half the painting will fade a to different rate to the other half!), Usually paintings (and most prints) will not show signs of fade for at least 70 years.
2. Handling your Artwork:
Try not to touch your new painting. Natural grease on (even the best washed) fingers will transfer to the art surface.
A stretched canvas should be handled and placed with care. Always try to place a canvas painting on a level surface with nothing poking the canvas from behind.
Cleaning Oil or Acrylic Paintings
The simplest way to clean up an oil or acrylic painting on canvas is to use a white cotton cloth soaked in a gentle soapy water; olive oil–based soap works wonders. You’ll be surprised to see how much grime comes off. Be gentle with paintings with thick impasto, as you do not want to break hardened paint. You may want to use Q-tips and work gently in crevasses.
If the painting still looks grimy, it’s better to consult an art restorer that would use a stronger art cleaning product and may reapply pigment colours where needed. It’s surprising how a restored painting can show its true colours just by taking away the accumulation of cigarette or fireplace smoke. If your oil painting shows paint flaking off, it is better to leave the cleaning and restoration to an art restorer.
Many times canvases have become loosened on the stretcher bars. A simple method to retighten the canvas is to spray water on the back of the canvas and leave the piece to dry for a couple of hours. Canvases are made of fabric and with time the weave has become loose. This process is safe and will not damage the painting itself.
Caring for Jewellery
Caring for your new hand-made fine silver jewellery is simple: clean safely by immersing in a solution of 2 tbsp. baking soda and 2 cups hot water in an aluminum pie plate (or in a glass dish lined with tin foil), rinse well and then air dry. Ensure that the jewellery is in full contact with the aluminum.
Care of Glass Vessels
Frosted (sandblasted) and oiled vessels
If the piece has marks/ smears on it then rubbing with a soft cloth will often do the trick, but if it is more major I use “Armourall”, yes the car leather product, “original” works the best. I spray the piece, wipe it on, let it dry and then buff it with a soft cloth. I use this because it is water proof – in case people use the pieces for flowers and it doesn’t show finger prints on the frosted surface, but you get that lovely soft glow from the frosting.
The piece usually marks when it is wrapped up and transported. It usually doesn’t need much care once it is in place and after the first oiling. The armourall will stay and protect the piece.
Care of all other blown vessels
Most of the other glass wash well with warm soapy water and allowed to dry naturally. Usually the best results – Windex works as well.
Glass will not withstand extreme temperature changes, so no big hot steaks on a glass plate, for instance! A bowl from the fridge to hot water is not a good idea, no microwaves.
Caring for Carved Wood Sculptures
Wooden carved objects require care to insure their preservation. While resilient, they are subject to aging, and excessive dryness can cause checking (cracking).
Direct sunlight should be avoided. When deciding where you are going to place a sculpture, consider how much direct light will hit the object. Try to find a place that is bright but does not have prolonged exposure to direct light.
Applying oil to wooden artifacts: Sunlight and low humidity can make the wood look dry and discoloured. Periodically you should re-apply a finishing oil to your sculpture. You can use boiled linseed oil, but this tends to fade quickly. A linseed-based finishing oil lasts much longer. Danish finishing oil contains linseed as well as resins that seal the surface creating a long lasting rich finish. Ensure that the oil does not contain stain that will affect the colour of the wood.
Using a piece of cloth, apply the oil liberally to the wooden piece. When the piece is still wet with oil (do not wait for it to dry) take a clean, soft, lint-free cloth (an old t-shirt works well) and wipe off all the excess oil. Be careful to get all the undercuts. Any oil left on the surface will dry shiny and tacky, so pay close attention to wiping it off. After the first wiping, oil may continue to seep out of the wood to the surface. Repeat the wiping every 15 minutes until the oil stops seeping.
Caring for Soapstone Sculptures
You will need:
- Soft lint free cloth
- Water
- Mild liquid detergent (plant based products work well)
- Mineral oil
Steps to clean the sculpture:
- Begin by using a dry, soft cloth to rub over the surface of the sculpture. Remember to support all areas as you work. This will remove any surface dirt or dust.
- Mix a few drops of mild detergent with water in a small dish.
- Moisten a soft cloth with the cleaning mixture and rub it over the surface.
- Rinse the cloth and rub it over the surface with clean water to remove any excess soapy residue.
- Allow the piece to air dry.
- To restore the shine, place a few drops of mineral oil on the soft cloth.
- Gently rub it over the surface of the piece. Again, remember to support it fully as you work.
- Continue applying the mineral oil, adding more to the cloth as needed, until the entire piece is covered.
- Use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess oil from the surface.
- Allow the piece to dry.