Montreal’s creative scene has no shortage of galleries or cafés, but few spaces deliberately blur the line between the two to rethink how people encounter art. Foil Gallery was built as a response to the distance many feel from contemporary culture — a hybrid space where sound, design, and visual art sit alongside coffee and conversation, inviting visitors to slow down and engage without intimidation. Designed for a generation seeking more intentional, offline experiences, it positions art as part of everyday life rather than something to decode from a distance. We spoke to Mathieu Parent, Project Manager at Foil Gallery.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Foil Gallery is a Montreal-based art gallery, café, and boutique dedicated to contemporary art, sound, and design. We curate exhibitions, immersive listening experiences, and cultural events, alongside a carefully selected retail space featuring books, objects, and audio-focused design pieces. FOIL is a place to slow down, experience art and sound with intention, and discover thoughtful objects that blend creativity, function, and everyday life.
What made you want to do this work?
We wanted to do this work because we felt art had become intimidating for a lot of people, especially younger generations. FOIL was created to break that barrier and make art feel accessible, welcoming, and part of everyday life again.
By combining a gallery with a café, we made a space where people can simply walk in, grab a coffee, sit down, and experience art without pressure or codes to crack. You don’t need to “know” art to be here. You just need curiosity.
What matters to us is not whether someone buys a $20,000 artwork or a $5 coffee. Everyone is treated the same. FOIL is about slowing down, connecting, and enjoying the moment. We want people to feel comfortable, inspired, and free to engage with art in their own way.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
The problem we wanted to solve with FOIL was the growing disconnection from art and creativity. In uncertain and fast-paced times, it’s easy for people to feel overwhelmed by screens, social media, and constant noise.
FOIL was created as a space where people can step away from that, slow down, and reconnect with art in a more intentional way. Whether it’s through exhibitions, sound, or simply spending time in the space, we want visitors to relax, be present, and spark creativity without pressure.
Our focus is on creating meaningful, intentional experiences that encourage people to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with themselves, their creativity, and their surroundings.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our clientele is made up of creative people, tastemakers, and individuals who live curated, intentional lives. We welcome a wide range of visitors, from young adults seeking meaningful cultural experiences to families stopping by for a coffee on a Sunday.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Like many cultural spaces today, making money isn’t easy, but FOIL is built on a balanced and sustainable model.
Our revenue comes from a mix of café sales, art sales, and space rentals. The café creates a steady, everyday income and brings people into the space organically, while exhibitions and art sales support the gallery side of the project. We also generate revenue by renting the space for private events, brand activations, and creative projects that align with our values.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
6560 Waverly St.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part of what we do is meeting new people every day and watching a real community form around the space. Seeing customers come back, connect with each other, and feel at home at FOIL is incredibly rewarding. It reminds us that the space is doing what it’s meant to do: bringing people together through art, sound, and shared experiences.
The hardest part is the seasonality, especially during the long winter months. Cold weather affects foot traffic and energy across the city, which can be challenging for any physical space. That said, it also pushes us to be more creative with programming and to find new ways to keep people engaged year-round.
Where can we follow you?
On social media @foil.gallery and on our website.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
We love Even Coffee, Pumpui, San Genarro, Kebecson!
