What a Square Foot Can Mean

Square Foot Show at the John Mann Gallery in 2024

There is something wonderfully democratic about a Square Foot exhibition. Give an artist one square foot of wall space and ask them to fill it with an original work of art. Suddenly, size is no longer the measure of importance. A small painting can hold an enormous idea, a bold statement, or a glimpse into an artist's larger practice. My own experience with Square Foot exhibitions goes back to the early 2000s, when I first encountered one in Toronto.

My first real introduction to the Square Foot concept was through artists Ross Bonfanti and his wife, Sandra Tarantino. They would hold incredible exhibitions in their Toronto studio, transforming the space by covering virtually every available inch of wall with 12" x 12" paintings. I remember the impact of seeing so much art presented together in such a concentrated way.

The individual works were small, but collectively they created something much larger. The studio became an immersive environment of colour, ideas, personalities and possibilities. It was exciting, accessible and, most importantly, it encouraged people to look. You could discover an artist you had never heard of, compare completely different approaches to painting, and perhaps leave with an original work that felt personal to you. That experience stayed with me.

Niagara Has Its Own Tradition

Niagara has a wonderful history with Square Foot exhibitions and small-format art shows. The Niagara Artists' Centre has long embraced the concept, including its Small Feats exhibitions, which have used small works as both a way to support artists and raise funds for the organization.

The format has also found its way into galleries, wineries and art associations throughout the region.

Square Foot Show at White Galleon Gallery 2025

In 2024, I had the pleasure of curating the Square Foot Exhibition at the Mann Gallery, and it was a thrill to bring the concept to life. There is something particularly satisfying about watching a gallery wall transform as dozens of artists interpret the same dimensions in completely different ways.

In 2025, Armstrong Fine Art Consulting had the opportunity to continue that experience by working with White Galleon Gallery during their year in their downtown location, bringing another Square Foot exhibition to the community of St. Catharines. Each experience has reinforced for me just how powerful this format can be—not only as an exhibition, but as a way of connecting artists, collectors and the community.

And Ironwood Cider House is certainly no stranger to the format. It has hosted its own Square Foot exhibition, curated by Poet Design’s Dillon Douglas, while in 2016, in it’s small bakery gallery, 13th Street Winery also presented a Square Foot exhibition curated by landscape artist Jennifer Elliotson. Many art associations have embraced their own versions of the concept as well, often through juried exhibitions that give artists an opportunity to participate, exhibit and be discovered. Clearly, the idea has staying power.

So Why Keep the Tradition Going?

Why, after so many years and so many versions of the concept, do Square Foot exhibitions continue to resonate? I think the answer is that the format solves several problems at once.

It makes art accessible. For someone who has never purchased an original work of art, walking into a gallery filled with 12" x 12" paintings can feel far less intimidating. The smaller scale often creates a more approachable price point and gives a first-time collector the opportunity to take that first step.

It introduces artists to new audiences. A Square Foot exhibition allows emerging artists to hang alongside established artists. The format creates an opportunity for visitors to discover someone they may not have encountered otherwise.

It creates a sense of community. When a hundred artists are presented together, the exhibition becomes bigger than any individual work. It becomes a celebration of the artistic community itself.

It can support organizations and locations. For galleries, art associations and cultural organizations, these exhibitions can raise funds, generate traffic and introduce new audiences to a space. For a new gallery or an unconventional exhibition venue, a Square Foot show can be an especially effective way to bring people through the doors.

And perhaps most importantly, it encourages people to look. When faced with a wall filled with small paintings, you naturally slow down. You compare. You look closer. You discover connections between works. You begin to wonder about the artists behind them. That is where the real opportunity lies.

Why Armstrong FAC Is Keeping the Tradition Going

For us, the appeal of the Square Foot exhibition has never really been about the square foot. It is about what that square foot represents. It gives an artist a defined space to make something completely their own. It gives a collector an accessible opportunity to own original art. It gives a gallery a reason to bring people together. And it gives the community a chance to discover artists they might otherwise never encounter.

That is why we are kicking off 2027 with the Niagara Square Foot Show, running January 9 through February 27.

Because sometimes the most important thing about a painting isn't how much wall it takes up.

It's what happens when you stop and look.

One square foot can be small. The possibilities are anything but.

Photos from the Square Foot Show at the John Mann Gallery 2024