Warehouse Artworks has stood on McDermot Ave for 45 years as the Exchange District’s mainstay for custom framing and fine art. Over the decades, Warehouse Artworks has grown alongside and been a part of the transformation of the Exchange District. What’s remained constant is their commitment to providing a welcoming and accessible space for art lovers and collectors.
Warehouse Artworks is the brainchild of Rod Sasaki and Brian Smith, both of whom are passionate about design and fine art. In the late 1970s, while doing design work for government offices, they saw an opportunity to introduce fine art posters to Winnipeg. This sparked a series of research trips to New York and Chicago, where they sought out suppliers and laid the groundwork for what would become Warehouse Artworks.
Warehouse Artworks first opened its doors at 237 McDermot Avenue in 1979, offering custom framing and a selection of fine art posters. It wasn’t long before Rod realized local art also deserved a platform. By the late 1980s, the gallery moved to its current location at 222 McDermot, expanding its focus to include original works by Winnipeg and Manitoba-based artists. The gallery showcases artists who work in diverse mediums, including acrylic, oil, porcelain, dye on silk, photography, and more.
For the Sasaki’s, Warehouse Artworks is both a business and a cherished part of their family history. Today, it’s run by Rod and his daughter Marielle, who recalls fond memories of growing up in the Exchange District with her sister. “We used to call the gallery ‘the store,’ and we spent many weekends hanging out there as kids,” she shares. They loved visiting Ragpickers and hanging out at Toad Hall Toys, where the basement was filled with Playmobil toys. “We never bought anything, but we always felt welcome,” Marielle remembers. In her teen years, the focus shifted to trying to meet the celebrities filming in the Exchange District, like Jane Seymour, Susan Sarandon, and Jennifer Lopez (who Rod even got to autograph a receipt)! They loved the community in the Exchange, spending time exploring the Fringe or setting up chairs in the shop windows to watch the Cobblestone Classic bike races.
Warehouse Artworks is truly a neighbourhood mainstay that saw the growth of the Sasaki family and the Exchange District itself. In its early days, the Exchange was an industrial hub filled with warehouses, clothing manufacturers, and furniture stores. The gallery was one of the few spaces focused on art, sharing the neighbourhood with other long-standing local businesses like Toad Hall Toys, which opened in 1977. Over the last 45 years, the Exchange District has undergone significant transformation, thanks to initiatives like the 1980s Winnipeg Core Area Initiative, streetscaping, residential and commercial development, and the revitalization of Old Market Square. These changes brought festivals, events, and the growth of an arts community—including the opening of the Artspace Building— transforming the Exchange into the cultural heart of Winnipeg. Through it all, Warehouse Artworks has remained a fixture for art lovers, collectors, and those searching for the right piece.
“Art and framing can be intimidating, so we are trying to create a welcoming atmosphere,” says Marielle
Today, Warehouse Artworks is known for its custom framing, which has played a significant role in its success. If you visit the gallery, it’s easy to see why. Hundreds of frames are available, with different variations in colours, textures, and matting. The wall showcasing the frames looks like art itself, with gorgeous tones and textures to choose from. Alongside making your prized art and photos look incredible, they also use materials that help preserve them over time. The Sasaki’s take pride in helping their customers find what’s right for them. “We try to be as accommodating as possible, whether it’s working with someone’s framing budget, searching high and low for that perfect frame or connecting artists with new collectors,” shares Marielle.
The ethos at Warehouse Artworks is to be a gallery and store that people feel comfortable visiting. “Art and framing can be intimidating, so we are trying to create a welcoming atmosphere,” says Marielle. This accessible and community-focused mindset is one cornerstone of their success. Another is their passion for elevating art, which they do through their thoughtful curation of local artists and by helping you find the perfect frame for your most cherished pieces. According to Rod, “Our object is to make the artwork sing!”
Visit Warehouse Artworks for help with your next framing project, finding a new piece for your home, or reminiscing about Exchange District memories.
Find them at 222 McDermot Ave in the Exchange.
Or online:
Website: https://www.warehouseartworks.net/
Instagram: @warehouseartworks