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 […]
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
The (Un)official Convergence Launch Party
September 18, 2026
Kickstart the festival weekend with vibrant energy. electrifying company, and bold art. All set in our beautiful backyard. Dance freely and celebrate community under the lights with cold drinks, good food, and great conversation to the beat of live music performances. Stay tuned for more details!
Art Nap
September 19, 2026
Brenda Mabel Reid, Underlay, 2024, quilt installation, variable dimensions. Photo credit: M+E Photography. Take a break in The Backyard at the RMG! In partnership with the Convergence Festival in downtown Oshawa, the gallery is pleased to invite you to experience Underlay by Brenda Mabel Reid. Featuring a large modular quilt made of construction materials, Underlay […]
Events
Studio to Makerspace: An Artist’s Exploration of Digital Fabrication Tools
Sep 10, 2026, 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Lana Yuan is a Critical Making and Makerspace Assistant at York University’s Markham Campus Library, and an artist working across sculpture, kinetic works, and interactive installation. Her recent interests focus on combining sculptural practice with digital technologies such as parametric modeling and 3D printing. Her work explores patterned behaviours within urban environments, with attention to […]
Family Sunday: Swirly Snails
Sep 13, 2026, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
This month, take inspiration from the central character in the exhibition Oliver Husain: I ♥ Snail, the golden apple snail. Let’s sculpt our own small snail character with plasticine and then create a cozy collaged triorama habitat for our snail to reside in. Click here to learn more about the exhibition Oliver Husain: I ♥ […]
Homeschool Art Class Fall 2026
Sep 22, 2026, 10:00 AM - Nov 10, 2026, 12:45 PM
Upon completion of payment, please fill out the information form below to finalize your enrollment. Please note that only registrants who have completed payment should fill this form. Forms should be submitted for each participant, per class, per season. Reach out to [email protected] if any assistance is required. *Cancellation requests received prior to the start […]
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.