The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is celebrating Doors Open in Oshawa on May 3rd. Join us for guided architecture and art tours, explore our various exhibitions, and drop by the shop.
Admission and tours are all FREE!
Join a guided architecture + art tour
11:30 am, 1 pm and 3 pm
Our welcoming Visitor Engagement Assistants will deliver tours of this stunning modern building. Discover the original vision for Oshawa’s public gallery, brought to life in 1969, and how architect Arthur Erickson designed a massive 36,000-square-foot extension that made the gallery what it is today.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery has a history of supporting and promoting local artists, artisans, and makers. The RMG shop features products from across Ontario, including jewelry, ceramics, books, home goods, and Indigenous designed and manufactured products. Each sale helps support local artisans and our free community programs.
The RMG Shop is located in the lobby of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery.
About Doors Open
Doors Open Oshawa is a free annual event held on the first Saturday in May. This event provides an opportunity to explore Oshawa’s diverse heritage and cultural sites. Attendees are encouraged to spend the day discovering local history, unique Oshawa buildings and spaces while celebrating the communities heritage.
This time of year brings beautiful flowers! Create peonies, daisies, roses, sunflowers and happy pollinator bugs with clay in your very own plasticine garden.
Suitable for ages 3+
Free admission, no registration required.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.
This month we’ll be getting our hands muddy with clay! In the studio, we are using clay to form coil pots, a popular method to create bowls and cups.
In the lobby, etch intricate patterns into scratch art paper, revealing metallic designs underneath. Patterning techniques and inspiration will be provided.
Suitable for ages 3+ Free admission, no registration required.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.
Join us as we design our very own fantasy creatures. Using acrylic paint and stamping we will create unique dragon collages that are cute and friendly.
Suitable for ages 3+
Free admission, no registration required.
We are using an art-technique called Abstract Art to create the texture, patterns and designs of our dragons. This project was inspired by the works of art in our current exhibition, Painters Eleven: Abstract Bonds
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.
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 mess! Come and discover the endless artistic possibilities that the RMG has to offer.
Choose from 2 different weeks. Each week includes experimentation with a variety of creative, mixed-media materials. The projects are individually guided and personal to each participant!
Ages 5-7 15 spots per age group Ages 8-12 15 spots per age group
$225 Members/$250 Non-Members for 5 day camps $175 Members/$200 Non-Members for 4 day camps (*Aug 5-8)
Epic Explorers
These campers will be brave, fearless and experimental adventurers! This camp is all about taking risks, trying something different and looking at the world from a new perspective. Bring your imagination and your willingness to explore various materials as we embark on an artistic journey!
This camp is offered the weeks of:
July 7-11
July 21-25
August 5-8 (4 day week only)*
August 18-22
Curious Creators
These campers will be playful, whimsical and inspired artists! This camp is all about sparking imagination, experimenting with new ideas, and celebrating personal styles and preferences as we take on new and familiar art materials to produce vibrant artworks that are unique and fun!
This camp is offered the weeks of:
July 14-18
July 28-Aug 1
August 11-15
August 25-29
To reserve your place in summer camp, please follow the following steps:
Identify the week(s) you’re interested in and select the age group from the drop down menu under that week
Click on “Add to cart”
Follow the same steps if you would like additional weeks
When complete, click on the cart (right side of your screen)
A pop-up window will come up, fill out all the details and click on “Pay now” (Family memberships should use the discount code provided via email to receive the discount. If you’ve misplaced the code, please email [email protected] or call 905-576-3000 to receive it. They will verify your membership is active before releasing the code.)
You will receive two confirmation emails, one for your purchase and a second from the learning team ([email protected]). The second email contains a link to the registration form.
Please click on the form link, fill out, and click submit.
You will receive a confirmation email with a copy of the information you submitted.
Your registration is now complete. Additional camp information will be emailed shortly before the start of camp.
To be added to our waitlist, please email [email protected] with parent contact phone number/email address, name of the camp(s) and the age group(s). We will notify families if spaces become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions or concerns that aren’t addressed here, please feel free to contact the Learning and Engagement Department. More detailed information about camps and the Summer Learning Team will be sent to registered families prior to the first day of camp.
Can I register for more than 2 weeks of camps?
We recommend families register for up to 2 weeks. We find campers who repeat the same camp week after week are not nearly as engaged (can be frustrated) as those who are experiencing each camp for the first time.
Can I register for one or two days instead of the whole week?
Unfortunately, we ask families to commit to the full week as often our art making fun requires multiple days to complete (many requiring time to dry before paint or adding final details).
What if I have a child that is outside the age range, can they still join?
All of our camps are geared specifically for children within the designated ages. In order to ensure the best experience for everyone, participants must fall within the indicated age range.
What is your maximum capacity?
15 campers maximum per camp.
Are pre- and post-care available?
No, unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service.
What type of activities have you planned, are campers outside at all?
There will be two different camps, each camp uses similar materials but in different ways; campers spend equal time in the Lookout and the Studio spaces. Both camps will have in-gallery interactive visits include looking activities, games, and sketching. We also have a new fully fenced space! We plan to eat snacks and lunch outside, and play games, if the weather is agreeable. We will also take advantage of beautiful days with outdoor art making projects whenever possible. These are repeating activities/projects that rotate between the two weekly camps.
Do you provide snacks/lunch?
Parents are asked to pack a water bottle, peanut free snacks and lunch daily. There are two snack breaks and lunch is from 12-1pm. We ask all families to refrain from packing snacks/lunch or drinks in glass containers.
Allergen Statement
The RMG has an allergen statement that advises that all program registrants suffering from allergenic medical conditions, documented or otherwise, register at their own risk. The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, its employees, instructors and contractors make no representations and will accept no liability regarding presence or absence of all allergens in the facilities where our programs take place.
What else might my child need to bring?
We recommend sunscreen and a hat for outdoors and if you believe your child may need a change of clothes please provide that. The RMG is air conditioned and some campers may feel more comfortable having a hoodie/sweater on hand should they feel cold throughout the day. Please ensure your child wears art friendly clothing and comfortable footwear.
What is the staff to camper ratio?
We aim for a minimum of 1 to 7 ratio.
Do you provide a “kiss and ride”?
Drop-off takes place from 8:45am – 9:00am. On the first day, we ask campers are signed in with a staff member in the front lobby. Families can choose to escort their camper to their “homeroom” or a camp staff member can ensure your child gets to their room.
Families may choose to do a “kiss and ride” drop off in the mornings at the front of the building Tuesday to Friday starting at 8:45am.
We require all families to pick up their camper in the art rooms (lower level) at the end of each day at 4pm. Only authorized adults will be allowed to sign out campers.
I see that you do online registrations, can I register in-person or over the phone?
While we prefer online registrations, we do accept in-person (cash, debit, VISA and Mastercard) at the gift shop. There is a mandatory registration form that needs to be completed fully for each camper at the time of payment. These forms are reviewed by staff and documented in order to ensure we know what’s what, and who to contact. We may reach out to families if we have follow-up questions prior to camp.
The form must be filled out and sent back as soon as possible to secure the spot and to ensure we have name tags and they are on the sign in sheet.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation requests received prior to the start of the program will receive a full refund minus a $15 administration fee. We do not issue refunds (partial or full) after the start of the program.
The RMG reserves the right to cancel programs if the minimum enrollment is not met. In the event of a program cancellation, a full refund will be given. If a program is cancelled, registrants will receive notice one week prior to the beginning of the program.
Welcome to your school away from home for arts education! Together, let’s dive into various materials and hone our artistic techniques to craft imaginative works of art.
Ages 5 to 7 10:00-11am $75 Members/$95 Non-Members (8 weeks)
Ages 8 to 12 11:15-12:45pm $100 Members/$120 Non-Members (8 weeks)
*Cancellation requests received prior to the start of the program will receive a full refund minus a $15 administration fee. We do not issue refunds (partial or full) after the start of the program.
The RMG reserves the right to cancel programs if the minimum enrollment is not met. In the event of a program cancellation, a full refund will be given. If a program is cancelled, registrants will receive notice one week prior to the beginning of the program.
Welcome to your weekend art journey! Every week, we’ll dive into various techniques and materials, discover how we can harness art to express ourselves, ignite our creativity, and produce our own unique artworks.
Ages 5 to 7 10:30 – 12pm Ages 8 to 12 1 – 2:30pm $100 Members/$120 Non-Members
*Cancellation requests received prior to the start of the program will receive a full refund minus a $15 administration fee. We do not issue refunds (partial or full) after the start of the program.
The RMG reserves the right to cancel programs if the minimum enrollment is not met. In the event of a program cancellation, a full refund will be given. If a program is cancelled, registrants will receive notice one week prior to the beginning of the program.
Collage with us! Join us to create colourful stripes, funky blobs and wild splashes. Tie it all together with a fancy silhouette topping to make your masterpiece POP out!
Suitable for ages 3+
Free admission, no registration required.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.
Update: Due to weather, this program has been canceled
This family day, explore the portraits in Resistance, then join us in the studio to create your own! There are many ways to do things in a unique way. Your self-portrait will be weird and wacky.
Suitable for ages 3+
Free admission, no registration required.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.
Inspired by the bright bold colours in our current Permanent Collection Exhibitions Resistance,and Go BIG we will be creating BOLD textured abstracts to overcome the dull of winter.
Suitable for ages 3+
Free admission, no registration required.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is a proud participant in Ontario Power Generation’s Power for Change Project, supporting the areas and people where OPG operates.