Doors Open at the RMG

RMG

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is celebrating Doors Open in Oshawa on May 6th. Come discover this year’s theme with us, FOOD!

Admission and events are all FREE!

Join a guided architecture + art tour

11 AM and 2 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.

Participate in a family-friendly art-making activity

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Have fun making your very own food inspired piece of art, combining gel plate printmaking with decorative paper collage techniques. It’s a recipe for creativity!

Spend time with our exhibitions

RMG Shop

Visit our gift shop

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.

Explore more Doors Open events in Oshawa.

OPG Sunday: Colourful Flowers

Let’s celebrate Oshawa’s Peony Festival together! We will create fantastical colourful flowers in our studio space.

Free admission.

This is a drop in event. No registration is required.


This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

OPG Sunday: Watercolour Collages

Join us for a special guest, Ms Love from The Love & Light Collective at 11am who will do a literary workshop with a story, active movement and discussion on a book called “Indigo Dreaming”. In the studio, create a watercolour collage inspired by the book and the Oshawa Art Association exhibition.

Free admission.

This is a drop in event. No registration is required.

A young girl living on the coast of South Carolina dreams of her distant relatives on the shores of Africa and beyond. Indigo Dreaming is a poetic meditation between two young girls—on different sides of the sea—who wonder about how they are intricately linked by culture, even though they are separated by location. The girls’ reflections come together, creating an imaginative and illuminating vision of home, as well as a celebration of the Black diaspora. This gorgeous lyrical tale engages the senses and evokes childlike curiosity and wonder.


This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

At Gallery Homeschool

Join us for this loved and popular class which is truly inspired by our exhibitions and personal reflections. We foster a multi-dimensional approach that encourages individuality and imaginative problem solving skills using quality fine art materials. Spaces are limited.

Tuesdays, March 28 to May 16, 10-11:30am       
$80 Members / $90 Non-Members
Ages 5-10

Program is full / no waitlist available

Saturday Studio

This class is full.

This class is filled with art making that inspires creativity and imagination!  Each week will be a new adventure with sculptures, paintings, drawings, printmaking, and more using artist quality materials!

Saturdays, April 1 to May 13  
No class April 8

$100 Members/ $110 Non-members

Ages 5-8             10:30am-12pm
Ages 9-12            1-3pm

OPG Sunday: Patterns and Prints

We will be inspired by the patterns, colours and shapes seen in the Piecework exhibition to create two unique artworks.

Free admission.

This is a drop in event. No registration is required.


This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

OPG Sunday: Fringe Feather Craft in Association with the Durham and Oshawa Metis Council

This month, create fringe art led by Métis Council instructor Kathy Morgan. Decorate your fringe with colourful beads and feathers to design unique art that you can attach to bags, purses or key rings. Explore the Mamanaw Pekiskwewina | Mother Tongues: Dish with One Spoon Territory project colouring book Story and Song to customize your own page and display proudly!

Free admission.

This is a drop in event. No registration is required.


This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

Summer Camp 2023

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, active outdoor play, and our RMG kids make memorable friendships! Here’s the best part: we take care of the mess and our camp leaders are awesome!

Choose from 2 different camps, Out of this World and Down to Earth! Each camp includes experimentation with a variety of creative, mixed-media materials that rotate activities/projects between the 2 offered camps. The projects are individually guided and personal to each participant!

Ages 5-7                      15 spots per age group (all ages 5-7 camps are full)

Ages 8-12                    15 spots per age group

$200 Members/$210 Non-Members for 5 day camps

$160 Members/$170 Non-Members for 4 day camps

Down To Earth

Come and discover the endless artistic possibilities that the RMG has to offer. Let’s get down to earth with all things natural and wild. This camp will take us on an adventure in and around our life and where we fit into it all. Inspired by some new summer only exhibitions, your child will draw, sculpt and paint unique artworks!

This camp is running during these weeks:

  • July 4-7 (4 day week) (Ages 5-7 is full / waitlist available)
  • July 17-21 (Ages 5-7 is full / waitlist available)
  • July 31-August 4 (Ages 5-7 and 8-12 is full / waitlist available)
  • August 14-18 (Ages 5-7 and 8-12 is full / waitlist available)

Out of this World

Welcome to our other worldly adventure in art!  This camp rockets ahead with endless imagination by exploring life beyond the limits of our physical world where your own ideas become possibilities. Using a variety of fine art materials and tons of imagination, campers will make their very own contemporary artworks.

This camp is running during these weeks:

  • July 10-14 (Ages 5-7 and 8-12 is full / waitlist available)
  • July 24-28 (Ages 5-7 is full / waitlist available)
  • August 8-11 (4 day week) (Ages 5-7 and 8-12 is full / waitlist available)
  • August 21-25 (Ages 5-7 and 8-12 is full / waitlist available)

January OPG Sunday: Winter Wonders

This month, we will be inspired by the beauty of winter. Join us to make unique paper quilled designs inspired by winter landscapes. Then, use watercolour paint to design elegant symmetrical snowflakes!

This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

March Break Art Camp

Ages 5-7 – This camp is full.

Ages 8-12 – This camp is full.

9am to 4pm

$200 Members| $210 Non-Members

Do you want your kids to dive into creativity? Are they looking for exciting new adventures? Campers are encouraged to interact with art in fun and playful ways as they share their thoughts, and express their ideas through art. We will get hands on with some messy and imaginative art making activities that will truly inspire all budding artists. Spaces are limited.

Here’s how March Break Camp will look this year:

  • The RMG will remain closed to public on Mondays – only camp participants onsite
  • Drop-off between 8:45am and 9am
  • Small camp cohorts
  • Mask friendly camp for staff, volunteers and participants
  • Rigorous cleaning throughout the day
  • Pick-up at 4pm

COVID -19 protocols and guidelines

  • We will continue to follow COVID -19 protocols and guidelines outlined by the Durham Region Health Department and the Province’s Chief Medical Officer. Our goal is to ensure the health and safety of staff and participants, and create an enjoyable experience.
  • If we must cancel camp due to public health restrictions, we will issue full refunds. Cancellations by participants will be subject to our cancellation policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions or concerns that aren’t addressed here, please feel free to contact the Learning Department. More detailed information about camp will be sent to registered families prior to the first day of camp.

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) and phone registrations (VISA and Mastercard). 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 are aware of pertinent information. We may reach out to families if we have follow-up questions prior to camp.

Families who choose to make payment over the phone will be emailed a copy of the registration form. The form must be filled out and sent back by the first day of camp.

What is your maximum capacity?

15 campers maximum per camp.

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.

Are pre- and post-care available?

No, unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service.

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 type of activities have you planned, are campers outside at all?

Campers will be spending equal time in the Lookout and the Studio. The camp will have in-gallery interactive visits including looking activities, games, and sketching. Campers in the Studio and Lookout will have opportunities to create with a variety of mediums! We have a fully fenced in backyard, and if weather permits we will be spending lunch and snack breaks outside.

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.

What else might my child need to bring?

If you believe your child may need a change of clothes please provide that.  The Studio has fluctuating temperatures, and dressing in layers is suggested to account for this. 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 at the end of each day at 4pm. Only authorized adults will be allowed to sign out campers.