Welcome
Here's what's going on at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.
Exhibitions on Now
Oliver Husain: I ♥ Snail
June 6, 2026 - November 1, 2026
I ♥ Snail is an immersive video installation by Oliver Husain that examines IMAX cinema as both an experimental film format emerging in the 1960s and a technology later mobilized as a tool of nation-building. The exhibition title is drawn from a sticker found in the archived papers of Toronto-based filmmaker Graeme Ferguson, one of […]
Stephen Andrews: The sum of the parts
June 6, 2026 - November 1, 2026
The sum of the parts brings together a constellation of works by Stephen Andrews that examine how systems of war, resource extraction, and global capital are permitted through complacency and constructed through incremental, often hidden acts. At the centre of the exhibition is The Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s recent acquisition of Cartoon (2007), a landmark work […]
Austin Henderson: Talking to Papou
June 13, 2026 - August 9, 2026
Talking to Papou is an exhibition of paintings, lithographs, and multimedia works by Austin Henderson inspired by his Greek Canadian grandfather, or “papou.” An avid traveller, gardener, volunteer, and lifetime resident of Oshawa, Henderson’s grandfather passed away in 1988 from AIDS-related complications, nearly a decade before Henderson was born. Over the years, it was difficult […]
Stories in Ink: Illustrations by Oscar Cahén
June 13, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Stories in Ink: Illustrations by Oscar Cahén Before joining the abstract artist collective Painters Eleven in 1953, Oscar Cahén had built a successful career as a publishing illustrator. Between 1950 and 1957, he produced more than three hundred illustrations for Canadian magazines while also gaining recognition for his abstract expressionist paintings. This exhibition presents rarely […]
Painters Eleven: Radical Colour
March 7, 2026 - August 23, 2026
Painters Eleven was the first abstract artist collective in Ontario. The Toronto group was founded in 1953 at the cottage of artist Alexandra Luke on the Oshawa–Whitby border. In the early 1950s, Toronto’s art scene was criticized for being conservative and unexciting. Painters Eleven was determined to shake things up and elevate abstraction within mainstream […]
Answering the Call: First Responders in Historic Oshawa
June 13, 2026 - January 3, 2027
In 2020, at the height of the global pandemic, communities came together to show support for first responders and health care workers. Painted rocks, handmade signs in windows, and messages posted on fences became visible expressions of gratitude and solidarity for those working on the front lines. Even without fanfare, frontline workers continue to show […]
Homage
September 6, 2025 - August 23, 2026
Paying homage is more than an act of reverence—it is a gesture rooted in respect and a way to acknowledge influence and inspiration. Artists often engage with the past to make sense of the present: responding to those who shaped them, the histories they’ve inherited, and the cultural forces that continue to shape our world. […]
What's New
Teen Art Zone Spring 2026
April 30, 2026 - June 25, 2026
April 30, 20266-7:30PM Surreal PentimentoExperiment with two art techniques: pentimento and surrealism! We will be taking vinyl record covers to new places through layering tape, paints and markers on top. Our finished products will be something from a bizarre dream, allowing you to let go of “right and wrong” in art to create something wacky […]
Backyard Story Time at the RMG
July 15, 2026
Experience the magic of outdoor story time at the art gallery! Through books, songs, games, and creative activities, storytellers from Oshawa Public Libraries will spark your imagination in The Backyard at the RMG! This event is free and no registration is required. Backyard Story Time at the RMG is hosted by, and offered in partnership […]
Events
Summer Camp 2026
Jul 6, 2026, 9:00 AM - Aug 28, 2026, 4:00 PM
Do you want your kids to dive into creativity this summer? We have got you covered! Our fun-filled, fine art camps are packed with inspired projects, interactive gallery activities, and active outdoor play! Here’s the best part: your children will come home with lots of creative art and stories while we take care of the […]
Backyard Story Time at the RMG
Aug 12, 2026, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Experience the magic of outdoor story time at the art gallery! Through books, songs, games, and creative activities, storytellers from Oshawa Public Libraries will spark your imagination in The Backyard at the RMG! This event is free and no registration is required. Backyard Story Time at the RMG is hosted by, and offered in partnership […]
Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition 2026: Opening and Awards Reception
Aug 18, 2026, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Join us at 2:30pm for the opening reception of That Summer: Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Novice, Hobby, and Open. This event is free and open to everyone. If there are ways we can support your participation, please contact Hannah at [email protected]. The Seniors Art Competition and […]
RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program
The RBC Emerging Artist Residency is a paid residency opportunity for emerging artists supported by the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artist Project. The residency package presents artists with opportunities for professional growth, exhibition experience, and collaboration with RMG staff.
Check us out on Google Arts & Culture
Explore our Permanent Collection in an interactive and fun way and be sure to check out our first Online Exhibition Story about Isabel McLaughlin and Alexandra Luke, two women artists and collectors who were instrumental to the history and development of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.