In this exhibition, Pixel Heller explores Black identity and resistance through costume design, performance, and photography, drawing inspiration from the masquerade (mas) tradition of Caribbean Carnival. During her residency at the gallery, Heller produced garments and accessories for three traditional mas characters—the Moko Jumbie, Midnight Robber, and Jumbies. She presents those pieces alongside photographs of costumed performances by the artist and her friends in various public sites around Oshawa, including Club Carib and Lakeview Park. As guardians, tricksters, storytellers, and ghosts, these characters excite and provoke unseen spectators whose reactions co-create the performance. Through this work, Heller conjures spaces of connection and tension, using the mask as both a shield and portal. She navigates what it means to embody her cultural lineage as a diasporic performer, moving through a landscape where Blackness can feel both hyper-visible and invisible.
Historically, masqueraders have occupied numerous liminal zones: the threshold between the material and spirit worlds; the fluid sequence between past, present and future; as well as spaces of socio-economic disparity and protest. Heller is engaged in cultural preservation, self-expression, and self-discovery when performing in traditional mas. Moreover, participating in the legacy of the artform as a form of post-emancipation social critique, she embraces traditional mas as a tool for building community and infusing the everyday with ancestral presence.
Artist Bio:
Pixel Heller is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Toronto, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cross Disciplinary Studies with a specialization in Life Studies from OCAD University in 2024. During her time at OCAD U, Pixel was awarded the Joan and Clifford Hatch Foundation Scholarship in Life Studies in both 2022 and 2023. In her final year, Pixel received the Cross-Disciplinary Art Medal, the Nora E. Vaughan Award, and the Format Website Prize Career Launcher. Pixel’s work has been showcased at Gallery 1313, Meridian Arts Centre, Yonge and Dundas Square, and internationally at the Black Brazil Art Biennial. Her artwork is featured in The Wedge Collection and Stikeman Elliott Private Collection. She has performed at events such as Artist Project and the Waterloo Region Museum. Pixel has worked with HERMÉS Canada and participated in Vibe Arts NExT: Cohort 5.0.
Installation of Pixel Heller: Northern Shadows, Northern Spirits at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 2025. Photo by Toni Hafkenscheid.
The RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program is generously sponsored by the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artist Project.
Welcome back! We launch our 2025 RMG Friday series in partnership with Oshawa Music Week, this evening will feature live music performances, art activities and food from local vendors.
About RMG Fridays An anchor of the cultural calendar in Durham Region, RMG Fridays are community events that bring together various art forms. Designed for all ages they feature a variety of live music, performances, exhibition tours, artist talks, and highlight community partners and local businesses.
About Oshawa Music Week (OMW) Oshawa Music Week is organized by students of the Music Business Program at Durham College. This annual event takes place in April and includes live music showcases, entertainment for music lovers, and music-industry education for aspiring and established music-business practitioners.
About our studio activity Join local guest artist Chelsea Frattura in the art studio to get your geek on! Dive into the nostalgic world of 8-bit artwork as you design and create your own custom magnet. Using the grid method, you’ll bring your favourite pop culture icons to life—or invent your own design! Perfect for beginners.
Chelsea Frattura is a local artist and arts facilitator specializing in oil painting. Her work focuses on surrealist landscapes, drawing inspiration from the connection between memory and environment. Passionate about inspiring creativity, Chelsea loves to merge her artistic practice with her role as a facilitator, teaching a wide range of art projects to all ages—from fun, simple crafts to more advanced painting techniques.
About our guest food vendor Bistro ‘67 offers guests a memorable field-to-fork dining experience, where community, local agriculture and learning come together. Meals are prepared and served by our skilled staff and students who create flavourful dishes inspired by fresh ingredients from the award-winning W. Galen Weston Centre for Food’s own gardens and other local suppliers across Durham Region.
About the bands
Siobhan Bodrug Siobhan Bodrug is a singer-songwriter/recording artist from Toronto ON. Her music being a seamless blend of Indie Pop, R&B that her soulful vocals defy her 20 years on the planet. Siobhan has wowed audiences in many venues including opening for indie mainstays Stars and Juno award-winners Dizzy at The Golden Hour Festival, the iconic Rockwood Music Hall in New York City, the legendary El Mocambo, County Pop, and Summerfolk. She was also selected as a Honey Jam artist for 2022. She recently toured across Ontario/Quebec for her debut “Strangers Tour 2024.” She just graduated from Seneca’s Independent Songwriting and Performance program. She has appeared on SiriusXM, MIX97 and performed a live-to-air Christmas special. Her single, “The End Lies Ahead” has over 130k streams on Spotify. The future is bright for Siobhan Bodrug because as “PeopleOfPEC” said in a recent review “Can we just talk for a minute? About how FABULOUS Siobhan Bodrug is? If you have never heard of this powerhouse singer, you soon will! She is FIRE …Her voice is strong and sure, and she has a very strong command of her craft. She is a brilliant young artist”. (source: https://soundcloud.com/siobhanbodrugmusic)
Erica Knox From upbeat excitement to mellow nostalgia, Erica Knox is reinventing her sound with self-portrayed intimate lyrics about love, life, and identity, alongside catchy hooks, reminiscent of modern day hitmakers Taylor Swift and Julia Michaels.
The 2019 ‘Best Emerging Artist in Canada’ nominee is currently recording her first full-length record with Toronto based producer and musician, Tal Vaisman. Her newest singles ‘Paradise Forever’ and ‘Make Me Happy’ are the first of many to come.
priyana priyana is a South-Asian queer singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. She knew from the age of eight that music was her passion. She has attracted a community online and is known for posting videos combining her ethereal voice with love for crochet! priyana’s indie/folk-pop music draws inspiration from Lizzy McAlpine, Billie Eilish, Noah Kahan, Phoebe Bridgers, and many more. priyana’s debut album little thoughts and latest singles pinky swear, they know it too, and days i’ve cried this year are available on all streaming platforms with more to come soon.
Stefan Palicki Stef started taking RCM piano instruction at the age of 6. Over the years, he obtained his RCM theory and Grade 7 piano with first class honours. At the age of 12, Stef began taking guitar lessons and that set him on the path toward wanting to be a performing musician.
During grades 7 and 8, Stef played keyboard, trombone and bass guitar in the school’s Jazz Band. At the end of grade 8 he audition for and was accepted into the Performing Arts Program at O’Neill CVI, where Stef has enjoyed performing in multiple bands and ensembles on a variety of instruments including percussion.
In 2019, Stef began taking part in an Open Jam at The Edge, in Ajax. This cemented his joy for performance in a band dynamic, playing classic rock and blues, live.
Stefan continues to further his music education with private instruction for guitar with Matt O’Rourke at Mattomusic in Courtice Ontario and with online instruction with accomplished guitarist, Chris Bray.
Jack Walker Jack Walker is a Canadian indie-folk singer/songwriter from Pickering, ON. On June 11, 2021, he released his debut full-length album.
Jack writes songs with a focus on catchy melodies and poetic lyrics. He has played shows across Canada as well as the US and the UK. Jack’s main focus over the years has been playing live and since COVID-19 has put that on pause, he has shifted to recording and releasing music. Jack has taken a DIY approach to his recent album, playing every instrument and handling production and mixing duties.
Join us in celebrating the works of the third-year graduating students of the Fine Arts Advanced program at Durham College. This evening will feature a curated experience designed by Tanika iNsight Circles, and an art activity with artist Bria Elizabeth.
Schedule 7pm – Doors Open 7pm – Art Studio Activity with Bria Elizabeth Starts 7:30pm – Welcome Remarks 8pm-9:15pm – Voices & Vibes: A Journey Through Story, Soul & Connection by Tanika iNsight Circles
Voices & Vibes: A Journey Through Story, Soul & Connection “Voices & Vibes: A Journey Through Story, Soul & Connection” is a powerful one-hour (1:10 to be exact) curated experience designed by Tanika iNsight Circles to uplift, heal, and unite through the arts. This event blends spokenword poetry, personal storytelling, interactive community-building activities, and a soul-stirring performance by powerhouse R&B singer. Centering on themes of resilience, self-expression through arts, and collective healing through community, this gathering will create a vibrant space for inter-generational authentic connections.
Where: The Isabel McLaughlin Gallery (Main Floor)
Emerging Visions EMERGING VISIONS is an exhibition that presents thesis projects by the third-year graduating students of the Fine Arts Advanced program at Durham College.
Where: Gallery A (Ground floor)
Art Activity Join local guest artist Bria Elizabeth to explore simple science into the unknown void. Participants will select a shape that resonates with them and use metallic markers to create lines and dots of particle movements that highlight different states of matter. Simple techniques will create a high contrast in colour and finish between the metallic markers and Black paper.
Where: Art Studio (Ground floor)
About
Tanika iNsight Circles is an award winning Creative Intellect, Speaker, Trainer, Host, Artist, Event Curator, and HIP HOP EDU Creator at HIP HOP TIL INFINITY.
Bria Elizabeth is a local artist who has led community projects with non-for profit organizations in the Oshawa area. She has her degree as a specialist in Media/Studio from UTSC where she was first introduced into facilitating community arts projects. Her current practice involves exploring negative space and mark making using multimedia art supplies. She currently has been involved with local arts collective Ruckus for the past few years and is passionate about art accessibility for marginalized communities and people groups. She believes that art is for everyone or anyone whether the art is created and stays in your home, in community spaces or galleries.
RMG Fridays An anchor of the cultural calendar in Durham Region, RMG Fridays are community events that bring together various art forms. Designed for all ages they feature a variety of live music, performances, exhibition tours, artist talks, and highlight community partners and local businesses.
While we are often more familiar with an artist’s work than their physical appearance, portraits of artists offer a glimpse into the person behind the art. A good portrait captures the sitter’s likeness, but a great one captures their essence. And who better to achieve this than a fellow artist? This exhibition, drawn from the Permanent Collection, explores portraits of artists created by their peers.
Artists create portraits of other artists for many reasons. Some do so to express admiration, honoring their subject’s contributions and impact on the art world. Others are motivated by personal relationships, capturing mentors, peers, or collaborators to commemorate their shared bond through art. Whether spontaneous or commissioned, these portraits represent a creative exchange between artists, shaped by their unique motivations.
Bringing together various mediums, styles and approaches, the artworks featured in this exhibition are as varied as the subjects and artists themselves. Ranging from intimate sketches to formal representations, these works go beyond mere likeness to reflect the deep admiration and special connections between artists.
Join Curator, Sonya Jones, for a tour of the exhibition “Resistance”. This permanent collection exhibition explores how artists throughout history have used art to resist and disrupt social and political structures– including within the art world.
Thursday Curatorial Tours are free and open to everyone. They provide deeper insight into the themes, context, and content of our exhibitions. Seating options are available. For more information about access and our facilities, please visit this page or contact Sonya Jones at [email protected] with any specific requests.
These sessions offer a welcoming space for teens to express their individuality, share new ideas, and try out a variety of art materials in a low-pressure environment. With a new theme each month, they’ll discover new ways to unleash their creativity, whether it be through painting, sculpting, mixed media or something else!
Free drop-in: Please pre-register using this form. Physical copies will be available at the program to complete.
Upcoming Sessions: Clay Beads: Thursday April 24, 2025 4:30 – 6:30PM Scratch Art Designs: Thursday May 29, 2025 4:30 – 6:30PM Acrylic Painting: Thursday June 26, 2025 4:30 – 6:30PM
As a drop-in program, you do not need to sign up, come on in! We will have registration forms available onsite to complete by an adult when you arrive to the program. An adult can pre-register using this form including emergency contact information ahead of time if they do not plan on dropping you off directly. It will be easier to pre-register!
If you would like to communicate with the organizer directly, please contact Farah at [email protected]
What is the space like?
You are encouraged to either come alone or with friends! Plug into your own music or listen to the chatter. Materials and refreshments are provided. As a drop-in, you can come for a little time or a long time.
Where is it happening?
The studio on the lower level. The gallery is free to visit. Walk in through the front doors, turn right and go down the stairs, turn right again once you see the door to the studio. Or, take the elevator near our gift shop to level 1.
Is the environment low-sensory friendly?
We tend to keep the lights dimmed but they are still on. We play music on a medium volume, however this can be turned off upon request. The noise level in the room is about medium. For a pause from the art-making, the exhibition spaces offer quiet seating.
Do I need to know how to do art ahead of time? Do I need to be an artist?
No! The art activities are beginner friendly. We offer all the necessary materials and instruction to complete a project. We also value abstract art, ugly art, and silly art. Feel free to try new things.
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.
