Art can do a lot more than just make your wall look good. It can inspire and delight; comfort and provoke. It can slip into your mind and change the way you see things. It can travel with you throughout your day—or with you across the country, informing and altering the way you feel.
That’s the kind of art that the Bugera Matheson Gallery believes in—the kind that stays with you after that first glance and surprises you every time you look at it.
The works you’ll find here are powerful and upbeat, filled with unconventional takes and fresh ideas. Bold new works by established artists sit side-by-side with the all-in, risk-taking creations of rising talents. This is art that revitalizes. Fresh strong abstracts, reflective landscapes, and eccentric sculptures lead our lineup.
Bugera Matheson offers a refreshing perspective on Edmonton’s vibrant art scene and also features some of the best of contemporary artworks from artists across Canada. The gallery has been a part of Edmonton’s art scene since 1992 and keeps growing and developing along with the city’s eclectic art community.
Are you considering acquiring an artwork for the first time? Or maybe looking for something to complement your collection? We can help, because we’ll take the time and care to ensure that you find the ideal piece for you—one that’s both personal and yet collectible, a piece with staying power.
Angela Bugera Matheson synthesizes her business expertise with her love, knowledge, and deep passion for art to offer her clients a first-class art experience with every visit to her Gallery.
“Art enriches my life and it brings me great joy to help people connect with “meaning” through art.”
The Bugera Matheson Gallery (formerly Agnes Bugera Gallery) opened in 1992 and has since been representing an excellent group of established and emerging Canadian artists. The gallery transitioned from to her daughter Angela Bugera Matheson in October 2012.
The name Bugera Matheson Gallery may be relatively new, but the gallery has long history.
The first iteration of this gallery was opened in 1985 by Angela’s mother, Agnes Bugera. It was called Gallery on Whyte because it was located on Whyte avenue in Edmonton. Agnes enlisted the help of Terry Fenton; who was consulting at that time, and between his tenure as Director of the Edmonton Art Gallery and his future position as Director of the Mendel Gallery in Saskatoon. Over the years the Fenton’s and the Bugera’s became more than colleagues, and I have known Terry and his wife Sheila since I was 22 years old. Terry and I maintain a relationship and his art is proudly exhibited in the gallery today.
In 1990, Agnes closed Gallery on Whyte because her father was ill and the lease was up. She wanted to relocate to the “gallery walk”, on Jasper and 124 Street anyway. In 1992 with partner Irene Kmet, Agnes re-opened the gallery with the name Bugera/ Kmet Gallery. They opened on the gallery walk and had a successful partnership for 10 years. In 2001, Irene’s husband Don Wetherall was offered a tenure-track position in Canadian History at the University of Calgary, so Agnes bought Irene’s shares and Bugera/ Kmet Gallery became Agnes Bugera Gallery.
Agnes continued to run the gallery, now relying more heavily on her husband John Bugera, who had always been there to do the heavy lifting for Agnes. Everyone associated with the gallery knew and loved my father; artists and customers alike. In 2009, my father passed and Agnes was left to run the gallery alone.
Faced with the decision to help her close the gallery in 2012, I was heartbroken at that thought of closing the gallery, which had meant so much to me. So after some serious soul searching I decided to give up my IT business consultancy to take over the gallery. I haven’t looked back.