About
Skagen Gallery
SKAGEN GALLERY takes its name from the northernmost town in Denmark, where the waters of the Baltic and North seas meet. For Danes it is an inspiration location where land, sea and sky appear to mystically dissolve into one another.
Towards the end of the 19th century, Skagen became popular with a group of Scandinavian impressionist artists now known as The Skagen Painters.
Thanks to the artistic community that remains in Skagen, the local arts and crafts galleries continue to thrive and attract artists from all over the world.
Following in the Skagen tradition, our Canadian Gallery will play a critical role in creating a broader audience for our artists to engage with local residents and strengthen our community ties.
Skagen Gallery has plans to expand to additional locations with goals of broadening its reach and impact among artists and enthusiasts throughout Ontario.
Owner, Founder
Anita Lauritsen
Having a lifelong passion for both visual and performing arts, Danish Canadian business owner, and SKAGEN GALLERY founder, Anita Lauritsen, was inspired to merge her love for art with one of her Danish bakery and coffee cafes in Toronto.
Cafes have a long history of being gathering places for artists and creative individuals to connect, share and debate artistic trends. SKAGEN GALLERY is a space for both art appreciation and a sanctuary for local artists.
Anita’s vision for the gallery is to create a relaxed and welcoming environment for viewing and interacting with art. This atmosphere will allow both new and established artists to showcase their work to a wider audience and reach potential buyers and art enthusiasts who might not otherwise visit a traditional art gallery.
Skagen Gallery Curator, Art Advisor
Liza Zhurkovskaya
Liza Zhurkovskaya, is a Toronto-based Curator & Art Advisor dedicated to advancing contemporary art through thoughtful exhibitions and strategic art consulting. Since entering the art world in 2015, her curatorial practice focused on creating impactful exhibitions and public activations that bring contemporary art into everyday spaces. In addition to bringing hundreds of artworks to the public eye, Liza advises private and corporate clients on building meaningful art collections, sourcing works by contemporary artists, and curating site-specific installations tailored to each space’s unique character and purpose.
In collaboration with Skagen Gallery founder, Liza plays an integral role in shaping the gallery’s programming by curating rotating group exhibitions. Her work continues to cultivate a dedicated community of collectors and art enthusiasts across Canada and beyond.
Skagen School of Fine Art, Director
Jørgen Lauritzen
As a Sheridan College professor for over twenty years Jorgen has taught all aspects of painting, drawing and design from beginner to advanced. In doing so his goal has been to demythologize the teaching of art by breaking it down to fundamental parts, thereby making it accessible to anyone. Of primary importance to his teaching methodology is that once students have developed their skills they are then encouraged to realize their artistic identity and from there the direction necessary to build a coherent body of work. Many of Jorgen's students have gone on to realize careers in the fine and applied arts.