What Makes Amherstburg Great: Gibson Gallery
- March 5, 2026
Guest Content Creator: River Bookshop
Today Amherstburg is one of Ontario’s great small towns, but greatness doesn’t happen on its own. Nature, history, and human actions always play a part. Amherstburg’s location right beside the Detroit River originally made it an important place and adds to its beauty to this day. From the War of 1812, to Freedom seekers escaping slavery in the United States, and Rum Running – history has left its mark! But so have the creativity, hard work, and enthusiasm of its residents.
During 2026 we are going to shine a light on what we think makes Amherstburg great. Our hope is that this new series helps you get to know the town better, support its many businesses and attractions, and become a strong, positive champion of the town. Look for our first story in our next Buzz.
Subscribe to the Weekly Buzz to received updates at riverbookshop.com
Located in the former Michigan Central railroad station, ca. 1896, it has been renovated to its original Romanesque glory featuring towering ceilings, hardwood floors, and bevelled glass windows. Today it serves as a special place to showcase the area’s many artistic skills. Importantly, the Gibson Gallery is not a static place. It’s very active throughout the year, with numerous art classes for all ages, approximately a dozen art exhibits, and vendor pop ups. All of that activity makes Gibson a force behind Amherstburg’s growing arts scene. And being a town that is known for the arts pays real dividends to our community. Research by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) identified the positive role the arts can play in a community:
- contributes to a strong economy
- helps communities attract and retain employees
- can drive tourism
- links the arts with improved quality of life
- enhances shared community identity and belonging
Right now you can drop by the Gallery to visit its annual “Members’ Exhibit.” It started on February 26th and runs until March 16th. Another important event for the gallery is Art by the River. We will run a post about this very popular event on August 26th.