In Conversation with Aaron Jones

Join artist and designer Jair Kale in conversation with RMG exhibiting artist Aaron Jones. Talking as friends and creatives, Jair and Aaron will discuss Aaron’s exhibition, “Fountain of Dreams” and the ideas and influences layered within this new body of work.

Fountain of Dreams is an immersive installation of video, audio, and photo murals that considers the spatial and multi-sensory qualities of haunting and remembrance. Playing with physical and conceptual layers, the exhibition is interested in the interplay between permeable borders – geographical and generational – and between dream states and wakefulness.

This event is free and open to everyone. Please register here.

Seating will be provided for all guests.

For more information on our facilities, please click here. If you have questions about the event or other requests, please email Hannah at hkeating@rmg.on.ca.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Aaron Jones describes himself as an image-builder who reconfigures materials from books, magazines, newspapers and personal photos into new characters and realities. His collages and photo-based installations are a form of self-and world-exploration; he uses paper as a medium, where rips and tears become painterly brush strokes. Through a cathartic practice of constructing and deconstructing, Jones joins opposing visuals and colours in search of ‘peace’; a spiritual satisfaction. Recently, Jones has been exploring his birthplace of southern Ontario. The circumstances of the last two years have sparked a consideration of how he might survive off his own basic skills and natural resources. Jones has been exploring the natural landscape, as well as researching plants, wildlife, and the natural conditions near his mother’s home in Pickering, to understand their offerings and inner workings. His new intimately scaled, figurative collages are set against large-format pictures of rural landscapes and a video performance, contrasting scale and the ethereal with the real.

Born 1993 in Toronto, Jones graduated with a BA from OCADU in 2018. His work has been included recently in a special project for Nuit Blanche and the Art Gallery of Ontario’s We Are Story: The Canada Now Photography Acquisition exhibtion. He’s also been included in the exhibitions Three Thirty at Doris McCarthy Gallery, From the Ground Up at NIA Centre for the Arts, Ragga NYC at Mercer Union, all in Toronto, and Propped at Oakville Galleries, Oakville, ON. Jones was awarded The Gattuso Prize for his exhibition Closed Fist, Open Palm for the 2020 CONTACT Photography Festival.

Aaron Jones is represented by Zalucky Contemporary, Toronto.

Jair Kale, born and raised in Claxton Bay, Trinidad, grew up in a nurturing nuclear family. Throughout his childhood, he often accompanied his mother to her classes while she pursued her Master of Social Work. During this time, any literature with creative writings captivated his imagination, laying the foundation for his artistic journey and that which would become a cherished pastime, the quest for knowledge.

Embracing multiple artistic facets, Kale emerged as a talented poet, photographer, and designer. His work reflects a keen eye for colour and negative space, a defining aspect evident in his photography and design projects.

Driven by a vision that juxtaposes geographic societies to highlight their parallels and distinctions, Kale delved into exploring the coexistence of diverse cultures in ways outside of the status quo. Holding significant depth, his work encourages viewers to contemplate the nuance and metaphors in the intricate beauty of human relationships.

Kale writes lyrics for Toronto artists, designs clothing for Brands featured in Adrift Skateshop, and recently he has exhibited an installation, Blue Crabs from Claxton Bay at Project1616, an artist run gallery/project space in Toronto. He received his AdvDip as a Fashion Management graduate from George Brown Casa Loma in 2021. Currently living and working in Toronto, he aspires to provoke perception and challenge stereotypical ideologies.

We’d like to thank TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment for their sponsorship of Fountain of Dreams.

Beer Garden Party at Old Flame Brewery

Celebrate the end of summer with the RMG at Old Flame Brewery! The special event will feature a brewery tour, live music in Old Flame’s beautiful backyard patio, and of course, craft beer!

Old Flame’s Elevated Tour & Tasting Program will give you a comprehensive look inside the world of Old Flame, and encourage people to appreciate and learn about the hard work and passion that go into creating Canadian craft beer. There are two tours of the brewery available at 1pm and 3pm. Members will receive a free flight of beer after the brewery tours.

The RMG aims to provide welcoming and accessible experiences for a diversity of people, both inside and outside of the gallery. Please email Émeraude Domingos-Mbuku, Membership & Shop Lead at embuku@rmg.on.ca with any questions about venue accessibility. This is a 19+ event – all sales are final.

About Old Flame Brewery

Our flagship location and beloved hometown. If you have never been to Port Perry, we encourage you to visit our community and witness the small-town magic. Our building has a rich history with our township, and we work to preserve and pass on its stories. Whether you join us for a couple flights and live music, a tour to hear the history and process of Old Flame, or to pick up a few cans to go, we promise you will have an experience worth remembering.

Venue: Old Flame Brewery, 135 Perry St, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B8

Cost: Free for RMG members with valid membership card, $15 for the public

Book you spot!

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just walk in?
Reservations are required and can be made online. We will be checking membership ID at the door.

Can I bring my own alcohol?
No you cannot. The event will be taking place at a brewery, there will be plenty of drink options available.

Do I need to bring my membership card with me?
Yes you do. Otherwise you will need to pay the $15.00 non-member entry fee.

What if I’m a member but my friends/family aren’t?
Members get in for free. If you have a Dual/Family membership, you can bring an additional person with you for a total of 2 ‘members’ for this particular event. Otherwise, friends/family will have to pay the $15.00 entry fee.

What does the $15.00 entry fee get me?
Aside from entry to the event, you your entry fee will also cover your participation in the brewery tour, your beer taster flight, and food.

I need to get in touch with you!
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, you can contact Émeraude Domingos-Mbuku, the Membership & Shop Lead at embuku@rmg.on.ca or 905-576-3000.

RMG Fridays: Late Summer Chill

We love our backyards. It can be the sanctuary to hang out, alone, or be with family and or friends. Listen to music, eat some good food, with a cold drink in hand. On these summer evenings, these are the moments that keep us warm and cozy in the winter months. Come over and make memories with us in the Backyard at the RMG!

Willy Nilly is an indie/folk rock band currently based in Kingston. Drawing from -and displaying- a wide variety of influences, lead singer/songwriter Owen Fullerton has always struggled to pinpoint the band’s sound. His vocals have drawn comparison to artists like Nick Drake, Passenger, and Paolo Nutini while the music surrounding the laid back vocal styling is typically more energetic with an often dreamy and sometimes beachy feel to it. The band’s music feels vaguely familiar while remaining unique, a testament to the mishmash of works that inspire Fullerton’s own writing. As a solo act, Fullertown showcases Willy Nilly songs exactly as they are displayed to his roommate’s or girlfriend’s dog upon first writing, although he will wear more than his pajamas.

For years, Matt Toppen has been a part of the underground music scene as an almost mythical figure. From his post-folk debut with Barry Lird, to his balkan nature-core album “nemi” (which led to full tour in Southern Europe) Matt has been at the forefront of experimental music. Working with collaborators Nathan and Jonah, Matt is finally releasing music under his own name. His much anticipated debut EP is slated for release later this summer.

Our Food Vendor

The Portobello Road will be on site serving their organic sourdough pizza using produce grown in Durham Region. They mill their own flour which is then fermented using traditional methods for 48 hours. It is much easier to digest and has been linked to a healthy gut. The lengthy fermentation process of making sourdough releases nutrients including iron, zinc, magnesium, antioxidants, folic acid and other B vitamins.

In the Studio

Summer Stamping

Give stamp making a try in the studio with eraser stamps. Soak in the summery vibes with fun designs available, no prior experience necessary!

pitch, slip: Opening and Artist Talk

Please join us to celebrate the opening of pitch, slip, a new exhibition by RBC Emerging Artist in Residence, Alex Close.

Through her work, Close explores how our experiences in public spaces are shaped by our fragmented, layered, and ever-changing memories. From public performance venues to virtual reality, she is drawn to question engineered experiences and the role that trust plays in our day-to-day lives. This body of work is reflective of Close’s evolving approach to abstract painting and her bold embrace of experimentation in the RMG’s artist residency studio, which is supported by the RBC Foundation’s RBC Emerging Artist Project.

Refreshments will be served. Join us in the exhibition space at 7pm for a conversation between the artist and RMG Associate Curator, Hannah Keating.

Seating will be available. If there is anything else we can do to support your participation, please reach out to Hannah at hkeating@rmg.on.ca.

Let us know you’re coming with an RSVP (not required, but encouraged).

RMG Fridays: The Backyard Opening

We’re excited to celebrate the opening of The Backyard at the RMG with our community! Be one of the first to experience our reimagined greenspace that is community focused and rooted in creativity. There is limited seating so be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Throughout the evening we’ll have lots of activities on the go:

Meet the designers
Help us plant our raised beds with the Oshawa Garden Club
Paint a rock – yes, that pandemic tradition – with our L&E staff for our garden
Partake in refreshments from Masala Box and Town Brewery
Enjoy brilliant musical performances.

7:00 pm Doors open

7:20 pm Welcome, Introductions + Thank Yous

7:30 pm Performance by Tania Joy

8:30 pm Performance by the Professors of Funk

10:00 pm Doors close

The Professors Of Funk is a powerhouse 9-piece band that plays the classic funk, R&B, soul, and Motown music of the 1960s and 70s – music meant to get people to move. This sizzling high-energy ensemble features elite professional musicians with a wide range of experience in groups large and small and backing up artists across a broad spectrum. The presence of a 3-piece horn section, added percussionist, and both male and female lead vocalists ensure that they deliver the authentic flavours found in that era’s timeless sound.

Folk-roots musician, Tania Joy has been using the last few years hone her songwriting, finally following up her 2013 EP, I’ll Be Around, with the release of her EP I Will Stand, produced by 2022 Juno Award winner Hill Kourkoutis (SATE, Digging Roots, Leela Gilday, Madison Violet), a multi-talented artist who played with Serena Ryder and was in The Weeknd’s original backing band.

This project is funded in part by: the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and the Enabling Accessibility Fund; the Ontario Trillium Foundation Community Building Fund; and The City of Oshawa.

Funders

Project Partners

Event Sponsors

Event Partners

Exhibitions Opening: Fountain of Dreams and Topographies

Join us on June 10, 2023 to celebrate two solo exhibitions at the RMG with brand new work by Aaron Jones and Anna Binta Diallo. Fountain of Dreams is an installation of audio, video, and photos by Aaron Jones that considers the spatial and multi-sensory qualities of haunting and remembrance. In Topographies, Anna Binta Diallo brings an assortment of image fragments into strata-like installations. Playing with physical and conceptual layers, these exhibitions share an interest in the interplay between permeable borders, whether geographical, geological, or generational.

Refreshments will be provided. Please join us for remarks at 2pm, followed by a tour of Topographies with artist Anna Binta Diallo.

Anna Binta Diallo, *Those mountains of shadows and valleys of light*, from the *Topographies* series, 2023. Digital collage. Courtesy of the artist.

Aaron Jones, *Wandering*, 2023. Film still. Courtesy of the artist.

This weekend is also the 19th Annual Peony Festival and The RMG Spring Artisan Market! Check out the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens at 155 Arena St. (just a 12 minute walk from the RMG) between 10 am to 4 pm on June 10th and 11th for family friendly activities and displays.Come back to the gallery on Sunday, June 11th from 11am to 4pm to shop for unique gifts and products by local artisans.

We’d like to thank TD Bank Group for their support of these exhibitions through the TD Ready Commitment.

Fragments: An Artist Talk with Hangama Amiri, Preston Pavlis, and Jagdeep Raina

Gathering to discuss family histories, migration, and home in the context of their expansive textile-based practices, the RMG invites you to join us for an online conversation with HangamaAmiri,Preston Pavlis, and Jagdeep Raina. The artists will share how they created their works of portraiture currently on view in Piecework and reflect on what it means to weave fragments into visual stories as textile artists.

Piecework is on view at the RMG until September 3, 2023.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Hangama Amiri holds an MFA from Yale University where she graduated in 2020 from the Painting and Printmaking Department. She received her BFA from NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is a Canadian Fulbright and Post-Graduate Fellow at Yale University School of Art and Sciences (2015-2016). Her recent exhibitions include A Homage to Home (2023) at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT; Sharjah Biennial 15: Thinking Historically in the Present (2023), Sharjah, UAE; Reminiscences (2022) at Union Pacific in London; Henna Night/ Shabe Kheena (2022) at David B. Smith Gallery, Denver, CO; Mirrors and Faces (2021) at Cooper Cole Gallery, Toronto; Wandering Amidst the Colors (2021) at Albertz Benda, New York, NY; Spectators of a New Dawn (2021), Towards Gallery, Toronto; and Bazaar: A Recollection of Home (2020) at T293 Gallery, Rome, Italy.

Amiri works predominantly in textiles to examine notions of home, as well as how gender, social norms, and larger geopolitical conflict impact the daily lives of women, both in Afghanistan and in the diaspora. Continuing to use textiles as the medium, Amiri searches to define, explore, and question these spaces. The figurative tendency in her work is due to her interest in the power of representation, especially of those objects that are ordinary to our everyday life, such as a passport, a vase, or celebrity postcards.

Preston Pavlis’ work on canvas and fabric represents his interest in the fusion of painting and textiles as a means to explore narrative, form, and colour. Focused on poetic association and metaphor, the resulting works in oil, embroidery, and collage are personal charts for time and memory. The works situate solitary figures on often non-descript grounds, their gazes shifting between the viewer and somewhere beyond their space. Whether their expressions are pensive, ebullient, or intentional– they possess a palpable interiority. Pavlis’ figures convey a subtle energy and a deep sense of presence that is enhanced by their imposing scale.

Preston Pavlis currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he is completing his studies at the Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design. Pavlis has presented his work in exhibitions at Half Gallery (New York), Guts Gallery (London), and at Spurs Gallery (Beijing). His work was also included in recent art fair presentations, notably Frieze New York and NADA Miami. Pavlis has recently been featured in publications including Esse and C Magazine, and is the most recent recipient of the 2021 Eldon + Anne Foote Edmonton Visual Arts Prize.Jagdeep Raina (b. 1991, Guelph, Ontario, Canada) received his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has been the subject of solo exhibitions at Grice Bench, Los Angeles; Cooper Cole Gallery, Toronto; Midway Contemporary, Minneapolis; and the Art Gallery of Guelph. Raina’s work has been included in exhibitions at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; RISD Museum of Art, Providence; and the Rubin Museum of Art, New York. In 2016, he was included in the 11th Shanghai Biennale. Raina is a 2019 recipient of the Textile Museum of Canada’s Melissa Levin Emerging Artist Award, and a 2020 recipient of the prestigious Sobey Art Award in Canada.

Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition: Info Session & Exhibition Tour

Calling all senior artists! We invite you to take part in this two-part event at the RMG, which begins with a tour of Piecework, a new group exhibition inspired by quilts and quilt-making practices, and concludes with an overview of the Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition, including competition categories and judging criteria. Come get your questions answered!

The Seniors Art Competition and Exhibition is a showcase of creativity and technical skill among members of the Oshawa Senior Community Centres, Oshawa Public Libraries, and The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Featuring paintings, drawings, sculpture, and more, this annual community exhibition is structured around a competition theme. This year, the theme is nourish.

Local seniors who are 55+ and a member of the RMG, Oshawa Senior Community Centres, or the Oshawa Public Libraries, are invited to submit one artwork for the exhibition. The exhibition runs from August 19 – September 27, 2023 and artwork drop off and registration takes place on Tuesday, August 15 from 10 am-4 pm.

Durham College Artist Talks

Join us at 1pm on May 10^th for an artist-led tour of Emerging Visions, an exhibition that presents thesis projects by the third-year graduating students of the Fine Arts Advanced program at Durham College.

We welcome staff and students from Durham College and any members of the public who want to learn more about specific projects and hear about the journey from conception to fabrication to presentation. This event is free and open to everyone. If there are ways we can support your participation, please contact Hannah at hkeating@rmg.on.ca.

This exhibition is generously supported by the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artist Project.

Artist Residency Information Session + Application Workshop

This event will be held on Zoom. It is free and open to everyone, but registration is required. Register here.

In this virtual gathering, RMG Associate Curators, Hannah Keating and Erin Szikora, will provide an overview of the RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program application, sharing tips for preparing your own application and talking through strong samples from past applicants. This guidance will be applicable to the RMG’s active call for residency applications, but will also have broader relevance for other exhibition or grant opportunities. Following a short presentation, we’ll answer questions from the audience.

Closed captioning and live transcription will be available through the built-in Zoom CC and Transcription features. ASL Interpretation can be arranged upon request. Please contact Hannah Keating at hkeating@rmg.on.ca to submit an interpretation request by May 16, 2023. All efforts will be made to fill a request, but if an Interpreter cannot be secured, we will let you know before the event takes place.

Is there anything else we can do to support your participation? Please reach out to Hannah at hkeating@rmg.on.ca.