Raechel Wastesicoot: Kenatentas

Join us in celebrating the opening of Kenatentas on Saturday, January 27 from 2-3:30pm. More details here.

Raechel Wastesicoot is a mixed Kanien’kehá:ka beadworker born and raised in Oshawa and currently based in Toronto. Growing up just minutes from the gallery, the RMG has long served as a personal site of inspiration and respite to Wastesicoot. In her debut exhibition, Kenatentas, she has created twelve beaded artworks in response to paintings and drawings from the RMG’s Permanent Collection by members of Ontario’s abstract collective, Painters Eleven. Presented alongside short poems written by the artist, each work, while formally referencing its historical counterpart, recalls a very specific moment or relationship in Wastesicoot’s life that has challenged or changed her.

Wastesicoot began beading in 2020 as a way of connecting to her Mohawk culture. For thousands of years, the practice of beading has been utilized by Indigenous Peoples to record and share cultural knowledge. Enduring today, beadwork has been taken up en masse by a new generation of young Indigenous artists. As a social activity, beading circles promote community-building and knowledge sharing, carving pathways to wider networks of cultural dialogue. As an individual practice, the slowness is described by many as meditative and healing.

In Kenatentas, Wastesicoot intimately revisits moments of her past, bead by bead honouring, and in some cases rewriting, the stories that have made her who she is today. Using playful materials and colours, she nurtures her younger self and tends to intergenerational trauma deeply rooted in the place that for 22 years she called home. Hung alongside the artwork that inspired her as child, Wastesicoot asserts herself, and by extension, contemporary Indigenous beadwork, within the ongoing story of abstraction in Canada.

Raechel Wastesicoot is a mixed Kanien’kehá:ka beadworker and land-based communications specialist. Her mother’s family is from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and her father’s family immigrated to Toronto from Northern Italy in the early 1960s. Her spirit name is Mein-gun Kwe, meaning wolf woman, which was gifted to her by an Ojibway Elder. Following a teaching passed down to her: from the land, for the land, and by the land, her beadwork comprises contemporary pieces featuring upcycled, vintage, and harvested materials. With the land and sustainability at the centre of her approach, the pieces she creates aim to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible, and heavily feature gifts from the land, including antler, fur, hides, and porcupine quills.

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

OPG Sunday: Rain Resist

Suitable for ages 3+

Let’s celebrate the spring season through our artworks. We will use oil pastel and watercolour techniques to create rainy day artworks sure to make a splash.

Free admission, no registration required.

This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

OPG Sunday: Family Day

Suitable for ages 3+

Spend time with family and friends at The RMG. This family day, explore the themes of our current exhibitions and create an artwork together based around connection, community and home. Make a pin-on button, and try out our Eye Spy game.

Free admission, no registration required.

This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

OPG Sunday: Blast from the Past

Suitable for ages 3+

The Oshawa Museum is joining us this month! We will be exploring themes of our permanent collection exhibition About Time through looking back on our own past with the Oshawa Museum. Learn about the Victorian Cell Phone, and create artwork based on history, time and technology.

Free admission, no registration required.

This event is generously sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

Seniors Spring Social Event

Back by popular demand! This free event encourages seniors (age 55+) to spend the afternoon curating their own program. Participants may choose do the exhibition tour then have tea and snacks, do one or both of the workshop activities, do one of the workshops and then go on an exhibition tour, it’s a matter of preference.

Event options include:

  • Tours of the RMG current exhibitions at 1pm and 2pm
  • Two different drop in art making workshops
  • Light refreshments available in our onsite Arthurs Restaurant 1-3pm

In the Lookout (lower level) join guest artist instructor, Jade Wysotski from 1:30pm-2:30pm to create an adorable realistic kitten!

Working with black and white drawing media on toned paper, this piece will have a soft and realistic look. Participants will be provided with simple line art and use mark making techniques to communicate texture and form. This activity is suitable for all drawing abilities!

In the studio, participants are encouraged to make unique cards!  Create stamp printed leaves on a watercolour background. This workshop is supported by the Learning and Engagement team!

Seniors Programming has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Sienna for Seniors Foundation.

Saturday Studio Winter 2024

Saturdays, January 20 to March 2 (no class Feb. 17)

Ages 5-8             10:30am-12pm (this class is full)

Ages 9-12            1-2:30pm

$70 Members/ $80 Non-Members

This 6 week 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!

Sign up here!

Homeschool Art Class Winter 2024

Tuesdays, January 16 to March 5, 2024 (8 weeks)

Ages 9-12  from 10-11:30am

Ages 5-8 class is full.

$80 Members / $90 Non-Members

New! Ages 9-12 class along with Ages 5-8 class will ensure we program to streamline programming suitable for students of vary abilities and skills development. These programs are inspired by our exhibitions and personal responses to the art on the walls! We foster a multi-dimensional approach that encourages individuality and imaginative problem solving skills using quality fine art materials. Spaces are limited.

Sign up here!

Teen Art Studio Winter 2024

This class is full.

Ages 13-17

4:30pm to 6:00pm

Come hang out in our onsite art studio! Guided by our Youth and Family Programming Assistant, you will be encouraged to explore new techniques, work with a variety of materials, and express your unique personality through art. Each week’s activity is influenced by the artistic trends of youth in the local community to provide a positive outlet in a safe and inclusive environment. We will play around with printmaking, animation, sewing, and more!

Materials will be provided at no cost to participants.

Sign up here!

Upcoming Sessions

February 1, 2024: Felt Appliqué

February 8, 2024: Linocut Prints

February 29, 2024: Doodle GIFs

March 7, 2024: Ink and Watercolour Painting

Please register ahead of time using the online form or by email at [email protected].

Presented by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation.

March Break Art Camp 2024

This camp is full.

Ages 5-8

Ages 9-12

March 11 to March 15 – 9am to 4pm

$200 Members | $210 Non-Members

Do you want your kids to dive into creativity? Are they looking for exciting new adventures? Our popular camp encourages campers to explore and interact with art in fun and playful ways as they share their thoughts, and express their ideas. We will create messy and imaginative artworks with fine art materials that will truly inspire all budding artists. Spaces are limited.

Here’s how Camps will look:

  • Drop-off between 8:45am and 9am
  • Small camp cohort
  • Mask friendly camp for staff, volunteers and participants
  • Rigorous cleaning throughout the day
  • Pick-up at 4pm
Sign up here!

COVID-19 protocols and guidelines

If we must cancel camps 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 camps and the Learning Team 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 know 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 before the start of camp.

What is your maximum capacity?

15 campers maximum.

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.

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

We will have a gallery portion of the day where campers get to explore our exhibitions, get an exclusive tour and participate in an exhibition activity! In the studio, we will get messy and play around with a variety of art-making projects. We have a fenced in backyard, if weather permits we may spend some time outside to play.

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 your child may feel comfortable in layers. Please ensure your child wears art friendly clothing and comfortable footwear. If weather permits we may spend some time outside to play.

What is the staff to camper ratio?

We aim for a minimum of 1 to 7 ratio.

Do you provide a “kiss and ride”?

Not at this time. Drop-off takes place from 8:45am – 9:00am. We ask campers are signed in with a staff member in the front lobby. Families can choose to escort their camper to the studio, or a camp staff member can ensure your child gets there!

We require all families to pick up their camper at the end of day at 4pm. Only authorized adults will be allowed to sign out campers.

P.A. Day Camps 2024

This camp is full.

Ages 5 to 10

$45 Members/$55 Non-Members

PA Day camp is all about creativity and art adventuring! 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.

COVID-19 protocols and guidelines

If we must cancel camps 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 camps and the Learning Team 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 know 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 before the start of camp.

What is your maximum capacity?

15 campers maximum.

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.

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

We will have a gallery portion of the day where campers get to explore our exhibitions, get an exclusive tour and participate in an exhibition activity! In the studio, we will get messy and play around with a variety of art-making projects. We have a fenced in backyard, if weather permits we may spend some time outside to play.

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 your child may feel comfortable in layers. Please ensure your child wears art friendly clothing and comfortable footwear. If weather permits we may spend some time outside to play.

What is the staff to camper ratio?

We aim for a minimum of 1 to 7 ratio.

Do you provide a “kiss and ride”?

Not at this time. Drop-off takes place from 8:45am – 9:00am. We ask campers are signed in with a staff member in the front lobby. Families can choose to escort their camper to the studio, or a camp staff member can ensure your child gets there!

We require all families to pick up their camper at the end of day at 4pm. Only authorized adults will be allowed to sign out campers.