Explore Pune’s peaceful and colorful corners where creativity lives.
You’re likely to think of Pune in terms of its vibrant student life, nice cafes, or even its tech hubs that seem to be growing exponentially. However, nestled between the corners in this city of hustle, lives another world that often gets overlooked: the art world of Pune. While Jehangir Art Gallery may dominate the headlines in Mumbai, here in Pune, we have our own wonderful community of artists, curators, and studios who are creating and nurturing their art on their own terms.
Let’s explore some lesser-known galleries and studios that deserve a lot more love
1. Darpan Art Gallery – Where Local Talent Finds a Stage:
Location: Kalachhaya Cultural Centre, Patrakar Nagar
Darpan is more than a gallery; it’s a launchpad. It has become the preferred place for emerging artists, illustrators, and photographers trying to get their feet wet (although not literally!). Darpan is small, but it is big on personality. The exhibitions taking place here are not just curated exhibitions, they are conversations — conversations about identity, emotion, and the world we live in.
For an art student, or someone who simply loves art, Darpan feels like a familiar, comfortable space you don’t have to think twice about calling home.
2. Monalisa Kalagram – Art Meets Aesthetic:
Place: Koregaon Park
Nestled within Koregaon Park’s greenery is Monalisa Kalagram cultural space. With its open spaces, rustic gallery walls, and focus on performance and visual art, you feel like you have wandered into some beautiful nook in Goa or Pondicherry.
They host regular art exhibitions alongside pottery workshops and seminars on cultural topics. The aesthetic vibes are warm and sustainable, perfect for those who want to mix chai-sipping, creativity, and visual aesthetics
3. Gyaan Adab – A Quiet Powerhouse of Creativity:
Location: Kalyani Nagar
More than just a venue for literary pursuits – Gyaan Adab hosts plenty of contemporary art exhibits, fusion music events, and storytelling sessions. The crowd is intimate, there is engagement in conversation, and the atmosphere? Utterly soulful.
It attracts artists and thinkers who are interested in art as more than just aesthetic presentation. You may even find yourself leaving with new ideas (and new friends).
4. Bliss Art Gallery – An Underdog’s Paradise:
Address: Koregaon Park
As some of the bigger names in Pune garner media attention, Bliss Art Gallery continues to quietly promote unrecognized and emerging artists. The space is small, but it more than makes up for that in heart.
Whether it be abstract canvases or spiritual-themed paintings, there has always been something interesting on display, and what’s even cooler is that the artists themselves are often there to discuss their work with you—an extremely personal experience.
5. The Art2Day Gallery – A Bridge Between Generations:
Address: Shivajinagar
With a good mix of the old and the new, Art2Day presents exhibitions that range from sculptures and installations to calligraphy and digital art; it’s a more current interpretation of the traditional gallery.
Additionally, it’s one of the few spaces that promote both established and emerging artists. The gallery serves well for the Puneite who is just beginning to explore fine art but is looking for a serious experience
Studios That Are More Than Just Workspaces:
In addition to galleries, Pune, India, has art studios that serve as education spaces and creative incubators.
🎨 6. Easel Stories
Located: Baner
Not simply a studio — Easel Stories is a storytelling platform in its own right. Sip-and-paint events, to interactive art therapy workshops, it brings everyday people who wouldn’t even think of themselves as “artists” creativity.
Weekend events often feel like a cozy community gathering as strangers become friends through paint and pizza.
7. Kalakeerti Studio:
Located: Aundh
Kalakeerti Studio is a wonderful retreat from the frenetic pace of city life, with its clean white walls, large windows and calm ambiance. The studio regularly facilitates art classes, showcases art exhibits and organizes kids’ events. The emphasis on creating community through art was motivating and inspiring for families, amateur artists or budding children’s creativity.
Why These Spaces Matter:
In a city born of start-ups and speed, these galleries and studios encourage us all to slow down. They provide artists with a platform, build community for audiences, and inspire students away from their textbooks. And most of all, they are preserving Pune’s identity and culture, layer by layer and canvas by canvas.
These places are not just about the art. They are about the people there. They are about our stories, stories we hide, and stories that are yet to be told.
Go Beyond the Famous
When you’re next scrolling through your phone wondering what to do this weekend, try skipping the mall or the bar for a change. Visit your local art gallery. Speak to the artist. Do a workshop. Not only will you be supporting Pune’s arts community, but maybe while you’re at it, you’ll find an entirely new part of yourself.
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