RMG Friday: Emerging Visions

This month, we’re celebrating a brand new exhibition at the RMG! Please join us on the lower level in Gallery A at 7:15PM for opening remarks with Durham College students and staff to recognize the opening of Emerging Visions. Emerging Visions is an annual exhibition of thesis projects by the third-year Fine Arts class at Durham College.

Order of Events

7pm – Doors Open, Art Activity begins in Studio

7:15pm – DRIFF Screening in the Lookout

7:15-7:45 – Opening Remarks and Award Ceremony

8pm – Performance by BoluSings

8:15pm – DRIFF Screening in the Lookout

8:45pm – Performance by Simmone Mariah

Bolu Adefemi or “BoluSings” is a 16 year old girl from Oshawa, Ontario. Bolu uses songwriting to explore the issues that touch her world. Bolu’s mum likes to tell people “She’s been singing ever since she was in the womb”; and Bolu agrees she has always loved to sing. Bolu Adefemi has written, produced, and released three songs on important issues: including the “Corona-virus”, The importance of self care, and the “Black Lives Matter Movement”. Bolu has been featured in the following media: CityTV, CP24 News, AM960, 680 News, Clarington This Week, Orono Times, Durham.com, The RoundTable Talk show in Long Beach, California Toronto Caribbean Virtual Festival and Ticker TV, Australia etc. Bolu loves to follow her passion, while sharing messages that she finds crucial.

Simmone Mariah is a Toronto-born and-raised singer/songwriter who has been captivating audiences with her powerful voice and emotive lyrics. Raised in church Simmone discovered her love for music at a young age and has been honing her craft ever since. Simmone’s music is both fresh and timeless exploring love, heartbreak and self-discovery. In 2018 Simmone released her debut single; Miles Between which showcased her signature sound and has set the tone for her future success. Since then she has continued to write and record music that speaks to the heart of her listeners. As she continues to pursue her passion for music, Simmone Mariah is poised to make a lasting impact on the North American music scene and beyond.

DRIFF Screening

Frida in the Sky | Directed by Dani Sadun | 6:14 minutes

Frida, an 8-year-old engineering prodigy, builds an airplane behind her mother’s back to follow in her Abuela’s legacy.

In the studio, create your very own D.I.Y. planter pot stake using polymer clay! No art experience required.

Ages 12+

Doors Open 2024

In 1987, architect Arthur Erikson was commissioned to design an addition to the RMG’s existing 1969 building. Erikson’s interest in the play of light and shadow is evident in the RMG’s large skylight and upper level curved windows. Join us at 2PM for a tour of the RMG building.

Let’s celebrate Arthur Erikson’s love of light and shadow! From 10:30AM to 12:30PM, join us for a hands-on art making activity encourage participants to use their imagination to create beautiful lighted sculptures.

Doors Open Oshawa is a free, annual event that provides an opportunity to explore Oshawa’s diverse heritage and cultural sites. Spend a day discovering local history first-hand and celebrating our community’s heritage.

Contemporary Kids: Family Party

To celebrate the opening of our new exhibition Contemporary Kids, the RMG is hosting a party for families! Join us for a free day full of fun and engaging activities!

10:30-11:30am: Backyard Story Time at the RMG

Join us in The Backyard for a pride-themed Story Time with librarians from the Oshawa Public Library, including books, songs, and games.

11:30am-12:00pm

Join us in the gallery for welcoming remarks with the artists of Contemporary Kids.

12:00pm-2:00pm: Get Creative!

Explore the gallery and family activities at your own pace:

Help us make a HUGE sidewalk chalk masterpiece!
Create your own art with RMG educators!
Get your face painted!
Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in our shady backyard!

2:00-3:00pm: Singalong with Andrew Queen and the Campfire Crew

In the galleries all day long…

Celebrating the unique perspectives and ingenuity of children, Contemporary Kids is an exhibition featuring a collection of collaborative artwork made by artists and kids and interactive installations that allow parents and children to explore and play together. Some of the artists will be onsite to answer your questions and play along! Don’t forget to check out the whimsical exhibition The Big Hat, featuring new sculpture and video work by local artist Tony Romano. This storytelling installation is a feast for the senses and a perfect backdrop for inspiring creativity and family fun.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Hannah Keating at [email protected].

This event is organized in partnership with Oshawa Public Libraries. This exhibition has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.

Presented by:

Oshawa Art Association’s 56th Juried Art Exhibition: Opening Reception and Awards Presentation

Join us from 6-9pm for the opening reception of the Oshawa Art Association’s 56^th Juried Art Exhibition. Awards to be presented at 7pm.

This event is free and open to everyone. If there are ways we can support your participation, please contact Hannah at [email protected].

Presented in partnership with the Oshawa Art Association.

RMG Friday: The Big Hat

We’re going back to the roaring 20’s! Come out to continue the celebration of Oshawa’s Centennial and travel back in time with us. Show off your hats inspired by a time when glitz, glamour, and the evolution of a new city was about to take place.

This month, we’re also celebrating a brand new exhibition at the RMG! Please join us in the RSM gallery at 7:15pm for opening remarks to recognize the opening of his solo exhibition, The Big Hat.

Order of Events

7:00pm: Doors Open

7:15pm-7:30pm: Opening Remarks

7:15pm: DRIFF screening in the Lookout

7:15pm: Art Activity with Farah in the Studio

7:30pm-8:30pm: Oshawa Music Week performances

8:15pm: DRIFF screening in the Lookout

Image in the artist’s studio, 2024. Courtesy of Tony Romano.

Tony Romano creates sculptures and videos that playfully reimagine found objects and rework raw and recycled materials. Rooted in a family tradition of carpentry and ironwork, he has long been interested in the endless recyclability of metal, the narrative possibilities it offers, and the memories it holds onto. In The Big Hat, Romano has created a new series of sculptures that tell a cautionary tale of an imagined whirligig community reckoning with the arrival of a greedy professor.

Oshawa Music Week, presented by Durham College, will be featuring music from Acoustic performers in the Isabel as part of their series of musical performances throughout the week.

Enjoy performances by Equal, Sam Bedard, J BOOM, Siddhant Shah, Donte, Simmone Mariah, and Brothers Wilde.

One of those Good Lives | 8 minutes

Directed by Joseph Carney

When the young, white and unencumbered Steve (Sean Depner – Riverdale, Deadly Class) is hit by a truck, he awakens in a cavernous and decaying opera house. There he meets The Ticket Taker, a shape shifting bureaucrat of death who explains that Steve must be sent back to perform one influential act before enjoying a life of guaranteed privilege and luxury. Steve must decide whether or not to uphold a status quo that benefits only him.

Join us in the studio to create your very own musical inspired magnet. No art experience required!

This polymer clay project is suitable for visitors 12+

RMG Fridays: International Women’s Day

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day at the RMG! This is the night to hear leading voices in Durham Region of women owned businesses and see performances of young and dedicated talent. Come to buy locally owned food prepared with passion and perseverance.

Order of Events

7:00pm: Doors open. Art Activity with Farah in the Art Studio and yoga class with Kimmel Alcide in Arthur’s

7:15pm: DRIFF screening in the Lookout

7:30pm: Wise Women with Liz Oke, Mathilda Irawan, and Georgia Fullerton

8:00pm: First session of Chair’ography Workshop with Inferno Pole Studio

8:15pm: DRIFF screening in the Lookout

8:30pm: Tour with Associate Curator, Public Programs, Hannah Keating. Learn more about our exhibitions that feature female and queer artists.

8:45pm: Let’s DANCE! DJ Lynz’s crew will be spinning tunes to raise your hands, sing along and feel the joy!

9:00pm: Second session of Chair’ography Workshop with Inferno Pole Studio

Upstairs in Arthur’s, Inferno Pole Studio will be hosting a Chairography Workshop! In a 45 minute session, learn a flow and have some fun dancing your way around a chair. Friendly for all levels! Bring knee pads if you have any! Wear leggings or something stretchy to move in. Tighter clothing is preferred. Wearing socks or shoes is recommended.

These sessions are free but registration is required. Sign up here.

As the Director of The Everyday Yogi Inc., Kimmel Alcide curates unique wellness experiences with the primary goal of cultivating peace. She is deeply committed to guiding individuals, teams and communities toward self-discovery through yoga and mindfulness practices. Additionally, she serves as a lead Yoga Trainer for LifePower Yoga, offering 100hr and 200hr trainings in Durham region. With over 10 000 hours in the wellness industry, she has collaborated with notable brands such as lululemon, Team Canada, Hershey’s Chocolate, Canada Goose and Uber Canada integrating yoga and mindfulness into their work and professional environments.

Her core values are centered around personal responsibility, connection, inclusivity and contribution. Beyond her practice and profession, Kimmel enjoys connecting people, hiking in nature, and playing scrabble.

Georgia Fullerton is a Jamaican Canadian visual artist, expressive arts therapist, arts educator,
and public speaker. Educated in visual arts at Red Deer College in Red Deer, Alberta she
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991 at York University in Toronto, Ontario.

Building arts-based relationships with community partners such as The Royal Ontario Museum,
Station Gallery, Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Durham District School Board
(DDSB)and others, Georgia has created 4 major public art pieces since 2012. One of her most
recent public artworks, titled: ‘For the Win and the Wonder’ was commissioned by the Toronto
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Corporation and launched in late 2023 as part of the new
Scotiabank Arena permanent Art Collection.

Engaging all sides of her creative prowess, Georgia deepens her understanding and practice of
arts in health as an expressive arts therapist with a small private practice and facilitates healing
arts workshops online. Georgia is the founder of the Durham Black Artists’ Collective (DBAC)
and is a faculty member of the School of Media, Art and Design at Durham College in Oshawa,
Ontario.

Liz Oke designs and implements marketing/sales plans and creative strategy for businesses that want to change direction, optimize their digital presence and brand, and align their marketing efforts with their revenue goals. She has over 20+ years of experience in delivering successful projects for clients in various industries, including e-commerce, financial services, food services, manufacturing, education, retail, music, insurance, law, consulting, banking, real estate, and cultural institutions. She is currently following the ever-changing opportunities with AI.

Mathilda Irawan is an Indonesian born Chinese woman who immigrated to Canada 22 years ago. Her education background is psychology, gerontology, hypnotherapy, finance, and yoga therapy. She is the chef and owner of Mathilda’s Restaurant in downtown Oshawa where we supply meals, desserts, and baking mixes to other retailers across the province. She also owns Mathilda’s Sauces Inc. with all sauces being vegan, gluten free, and oil free.

She is on a mission to get people moving their body, reprogram their subconscious mind, take control of their health and heal themselves, and unite body, mind, and spirit. This is possible by practicing compassion towards ourselves, the animals, and nature. When we align our actions with our beliefs and values, we will heal at a deeper level.

The Fading | 15 mins

Directed by Rafaël Beauchamp

French, with English subtitles

In the heart of a foggy and rural Quebec winter, Luce, a grieving mother faced with the disappearance of her son, is taken aback when three local hunters track down the alleged killer, a seemingly harmless young man. When it is proposed to her to take revenge on the latter, the spirit of the masses slowly takes possession of her tragedy as the group sinks into the forest. “Les battues” (The Fading) blurs the line between victim and persecutor in a dreamlike and anxiety-inducing thriller.

Tour with Associate Curator, Public Programs, Hannah Keating, through the gallery and learn more about our exhibitions that feature female and queer artists such as World-builders, shapeshifters, Kenatentas, and Commonplace.

We will be making wearable art led by Farah! Make marbled polymer clay beads, strung together to make a necklace or keychain.

Kendra Yee: Exhibition Opening + Artist Talk

Please join us to celebrate the opening of, Commonplace, a new exhibition by RBC Emerging Artist in Residence, Kendra Yee. Let us know you’re coming with an RSVP.

Refreshments will be served. Join us in the exhibition space at 2pm for an artist talk with Kendra Yee.

Kendra Yee’s residency exhibition features an installation of over 100 clay tiles inspired by memories. During her time at the RMG, Kendra Yee put out a call for collaboration, inviting her friends, supporters, and RMG community members of all ages to share a personal story with her in the medium of their choice. Her tiles represent the way she received, and will continue to hold, each memory, while the installation, which takes the form of a large dining table, points to the spaces where we gather and share stories with one another.

Seating will be available. If there is anything else we can do to support your participation, please reach out to Hannah at [email protected].

The artist gratefully acknowledges support from the Canada Council for the Arts for this exhibition.

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

Raechel Wastesicoot: Kenatentas Opening Reception

Please join us to celebrate the opening of Raechel Wastesicoot: Kenatentas. Let us know you’re coming with an RSVP.

Refreshments will be served. Join us in the exhibition space at 2:15pm for remarks and an exhibition walkthrough with the artist and RMG Associate Curator, Erin Szikora.

Raechel Wastesicoot is a mixed Kanien’kehá:ka beadworker born and raised in Oshawa and currently based in Toronto. In her debut exhibition, Wastesicoot has created twelve beaded artworks in response to paintings and drawings from the RMG’s Permanent Collection. Working with upcycled, vintage, and harvested materials, her pieces are personal reflections on family and community, inspired by the rich colours and abstractions of Ontario’s abstract collective Painters Eleven.

Seating will be available. If there is anything else we can do to support your participation, please reach out to Erin at [email protected].

This exhibition is presented with support from the Government of Ontario through the Tourism Relief Fund.

Holiday Tea at the RMG

$62/adult, $28/child 12 and under

Join Berry Hill Co. for Holiday Tea at the RMG! On Saturdays & Sundays from November 18th to December 17th, Berry Hill Co. will be upstairs in Arthur’s hosting high tea. There are separate menus for children and adults.

Reservations and any queries must be made directly through Berry Hill Co.

Reserve your spot!

The Neighbours Project: Community Celebration

Please let us know you’re coming! Click this link to RSVP: https://thermg.typeform.com/to/Dkm48KdZ.

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery believes we have a responsibility to participate in the creation and maintenance of a healthy community. For over a year, we have been working with community members and partners on an initiative called The Neighbours Project to explore how we could extend care to some of our closest neighbours who have experience with housing precarity or homelessness, including those working to reduce barriers and offer direct support. The work itself was grounded in relationship building and took many forms, including closed onsite events and participation in community meetings and other offsite activities. From December 9, 2023 to February 18, 2024, The Neighbours Project will take up physical space at the RMG as an installation in Gallery A.

At this event, we invite the wider RMG community to join us in our creative visioning and accountability. Here’s what you can expect at this event:

Stories from community leaders with lived experience of homelessness
Interactive art-making with The LivingRoom Community Art Studio
Food + conversation with project partners, collaborators, and other community members

The Neighbours Project is co-produced by representatives of the RMG, Back Door Mission, The Gap Committee, and The LivingRoom Community Art Studio. It will be installed in Gallery A from December 9, 2023 – February 18, 2024.

To learn more about the project, please visit the exhibition page.

This event is supported by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and The Regional Municipality of Durham.

Do you have any questions? Please get in touch by emailing [email protected] and [email protected].