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 with, Oshawa Public Libraries.
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 with, Oshawa Public Libraries.
This June, we are delighted to welcome the Oshawa Garden Club Butterflyway Rangers to our Backyard at the RMG for a special family-friendly experience! Young gardeners and grown-ups alike can join us and learn something new.
Flowers have sprung all over Downtown Oshawa! Let’s celebrate our beautiful botanical gardens and our very own Backyard at the RMG with artwork!
In the Backyard, two local Butterflyway Rangers (Ann Couch and Judy Jaeger) will be on hand with some fun activities, information about attracting pollinators to your garden, how to be part of a local Butterflyway and answer garden related questions.
In the studio, use a variety of found-objects and materials to stamp in flower shapes. We are getting messy with ink, making our artworks stand out against a colourful collaged background.
In the lookout, admire our backyard through the giant window. Use strips of paper to curl and swirl them into coils. We will arrange them to make an intricate and sculptural paper quilled creation.
About the Butterflyway Project
The Butterflyway Project is a citizen-led movement growing networks of habitat for bees and butterflies across Canada.
Launched by the David Suzuki Foundation in 2017 — alongside its Quebec sister program, L’effet Papillon — the project began in five cities and has since grown into a national network of volunteers creating habitat in yards, school grounds, boulevards and parks. From inception to 2025, the foundation trained 1,850 Butterflyway Rangers in hundreds of communities throughout Canada. Rangers work with neighbours and local partners to plant native wildflowers, grasses, trees and shrubs. When 12 or more habitat gardens are established in close proximity, a new Butterflyway is established.
Butterflyway impact to date (as of 2025):
The Butterflyway Project is rooted in the award-winning Homegrown National Park Project (2013–2015), which created butterfly-friendly corridors in Toronto neighbourhoods. The project and various Rangers have received numerous local and national accolades and awards, including the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Nature Inspiration Award.
Interest in the project continues to be strong, with hundreds of Canadians applying to become Butterflyway Rangers each year. Rangers receive training, resources and ongoing support, and become part of a national network of people rewilding the places they live.
Butterflyway Rangers are volunteers who lead local efforts to create pollinator habitat and bring people together around nature-based action. Rangers organize small teams, support garden projects and help establish a Butterflyways in their communities.
Rangers are community builders, educators and habitat creators. They don’t need to be gardening experts — just people who care, are willing to learn and are excited to work with others. Rangers receive online training from David Suzuki Foundation staff and guest experts and have access to online toolkits, resources and seasonal guidance. Rangers also can connect to a national network of Rangers through webinars, online meetups and regional gatherings.
About Oshawa Garden Club
The purpose of the Oshawa Garden Club is to promote interest in all things Green; horticulture, agriculture, environmental responsibility, a communal enjoyment of nature and more. Our mission remains committed to encouraging engagement with and the improvement of our community green spaces. Visit www.oshawagardenclub.ca for all our activities and membership information.
About The Backyard at the RMG
The Backyard at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery is an outdoor space designed for community use, artistic engagement, and quiet reflection. Enjoy a picnic, read a book, catch up with a friend, listen to the sounds of the creek, meditate, do some yoga – use this space to bring you joy and well-being.
Suitable for ages 3+
Adult supervision is required in all gallery/ studio spaces.
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 dive deep to explore life among the coral reefs. We will use colourful plasticine to sculpt a turtle or sea creature of your choosing. We will also use vibrant soft pastels to draw floating jellyfish, with patterns glowing in the dark abyss. Our bold artworks take inspiration from the lively, striking and rich artworks in our exhibition, Painters Eleven: Radical Colour.
In the lookout, using plasticine and step-by-step instructions, sculpt your own turtle! With some creative flair, try your hand at sculpting a shark, or even whale, and add some coral or seaweed to finish off your model habitat.
In the studio, use soft pastels to draw wavy waters and gelatinous jellyfish. We will blend our pastels to make them hazy. Then, we will add layers on top using unique patterns and spots to make our jellyfish stand out!
William Ronald (Canadian, 1926 – 1998); Festival; 1967; acrylic on canvas; Gift of Chantal Laberge, 1987
About Painters Eleven: Radical Colour
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 Canadian art. The group’s first exhibition drew crowds and received positive press, despite its radical approach to art. Banded together by a shared desire to support abstraction and exhibit collectively, the artists did not adhere to a common philosophy or style but did share a love of colour. This exhibition showcases Painters Eleven’s diverse approaches to abstraction alongside a common enthusiasm for bold, expressive colour, highlighting the individuality of each artist. Click here to learn more about Painters Eleven: Radical Colour.
Suitable for ages 3+
Adult supervision is required in all gallery/ studio spaces.
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 are getting messy by creating painted papers, and using them to make collages! We will also take inspiration from Group of Seven artworks on display in our current Permanent Collection exhibition, Homage, by experimenting with oil pastel layered landscapes.
In the studio, roll your sleeves up and join us to create painted papers, mixing cool colours with card scraping techniques. Then, we will cut our papers up in shapes, such as umbrellas, rain drops, clouds, and flowers to represent our surroundings as spring emerges!
In the lookout, we are experimenting with oil pastel techniques. We will draw our landscapes with layers of hills and valleys inspired by Group of Seven. Then, after blending our layers with baby oil, we will add in foreground details such as sharp coniferous trees and leafy deciduous trees.
Installation of Homage at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 2025. Photos by Toni Hafkenscheid.
About Homage
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. In this way, tribute becomes not only a recognition of influence, but also a means to challenge, reinterpret, and build upon it. Click here to learn more about Homage.
Suitable for ages 3+
Adult supervision is required in all gallery/ studio spaces.
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.
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!
This summer, campers from two different camps, in two different countries will be sharing their art! The RMG is pleased to partner with Future Achievers and their camp, R.O.C.MIN Summer Camp in Richmond, Jamaica, which holds shared values as the RMG.
Ages 5-7 15 spots per age group
Ages 8-12 15 spots per age group
$235 Members/$260 Non-Members for 5 day camps
$185 Members/$210 Non-Members for 4 day camps (*Aug 4-7)
Come Out and Play
Do you want to come out and play? This camp is all about the wonders of nature! What will we discover? An intriguing animal, a fascinating person, a beautiful scene? Together, we will embark on an exciting adventure, maybe we’ll find something we never even imagined existed.
This camp is offered the weeks of:
Can you Imagine?
Who, where, why, WHAT? Let’s dive into our imaginations and create captivating stories and design enchanting worlds and creatures. What wonders might we uncover as we embrace our curiosity, dream big, and allow our creativity to soar. Together, we will experiment with various ideas and different materials to bring our playful artworks to life.
This camp is offered the weeks of:
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.
Come together to celebrate student art in Durham Region!
The RMG invites you to attend the opening reception our bi-annual Durham District School Board Exhibition: For Art’s Sake. Showcasing artworks from nearly every high school in the region, this event recognizes our local budding young artists.
This event is free and open to everyone. For information on our facilities, please click here. If there are ways we can support your participation, please contact Leila at [email protected].
Presented in partnership with
Step into the gallery for hands-on homeschool art history workshops designed for ages 10–14. In each workshop, students will first explore a major art movement, and then get to create their very own take-home artwork. These workshops are great for both art lovers and those new to art!
Learn more about each workshop, and register using the links below.
Geometric Abstraction
Tuesday March 24, 2026
10-11:30am
$15
Learn about the global movement of Geometric Abstraction, and the evolution of the style in different regions of the world. In the studio, discover the relationships between shape, colour, and line in abstraction, while looking at symbols that represent your personality.
Action Painting
Wednesday April 22, 2026
1-2:30pm
$15
Discover the expressiveness of Action Painting, and learn about some of the great artists of the North American Modern era. In the studio we will explore a variety of methods used to create the art of this movement.
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.
PA Day Camp offers an exciting day for campers, featuring exploration of current exhibitions and creative expression through art. Participants are encouraged to embrace messiness and experiment with different materials.
Ages 5-10
$50 Members/ $70 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 cancellation of the program, 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 home away from home for arts education! Together, let’s explore diverse materials and refine our artistic skills to create imaginative masterpieces.
Ages 5 to 7
10 – 11am
$75 Members/$95 Non-Members (8 weeks)
Dates: Tuesdays, March 31- May 19, 2026
Ages 8 to 12
11:15am – 12:45pm
$100 Members/$120 Non-Members (8 weeks)
Dates: Tuesdays, March 31- May 19, 2026
*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.