The Art of Canada
Ian Dejardin, Executive Director of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, is delving deep into the gallery’s vaults to make a very personal selection of works of art for his first curated show since taking the reins of the gallery. Dejardin promises many classic favourites, but also some that have been rarely seen, and some that might surprise even an audience familiar with Canadian art. This exhibition will showcase the beauty, diversity, and artistry of the art of Canada.
…Everything Remains Raw
...Everything Remains Raw is a photographic exploration of the resilience of hip hop culture and asks why this supposed ‘fad’ has not faded away? Archival photographs, as visual representations of hip hop culture in Canada, guides this exhibition’s exploration on the evolution and longevity of this now global cultural phenomenon. Photographic works from Michael Chambers, Sheinina Raj, Demuth Flake, Nabil Shash, Patrick Nichols, and Stella Fakiyesi capture the growth of the hip hop scene, as well as the voice, creativity and influence of these artists.
Robert Davidson
A display of works on paper by Robert Davidson from the McMichael’s permanent collection.
Norval Morrisseau (1931-2007)
A display of works by Norval Morrisseau and the Woodland School from the McMichael’s permanent collection.
Watercolour Studio
Learn to express yourself in this versatile yet challenging medium, on whatever subject or style you chose to work in. Whether you are an absolute beginner or you are an experienced watercolour painter wishing to take your paintings up to another level; Andrew Sookrah will guide you through the exercises you need to master in order to freely express your artistic self.
J.E.H. MacDonald: Up Close
Works from the McMichael collection to celebrate the art and science of J.E.H. MacDonald’s artistic practice. McMichael conservator, Alison Douglas, will share the research results from a Canadian Conservation Institute study that created a base line for ‘what makes a MacDonald painting?’ Complete with microscopic photographs, the materials and methods of the artist will be explored in depth, especially in relation to the artist’s predilection for small studies.
Laying the Foundation: Works from the Original Gift
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection started out as a modest four-room home, built in 1954 for a young photographer and his wife – Robert and Signe McMichael. It was designed in a robust but stylish log cabin aesthetic by architect Leo Venchiarutti (1947-2007).
National Indigenous Peoples Day: Grass Rocking
In this special celebration, Quentin “Que Rock” Commanda and DJ Creeaisan a.k.a. Matthew Wood – both who have danced for A Tribe Called Red – will lead a performance that showcases hip hop and powwow dances side- by-side. The true fire keepers of hip hop, who dance to heal and restore, the performers and their two special guests, Bigurl Soupy and Wild Foxy, will encourage the audience to participate in this unique experience.
Toronto Children’s Chorus Tour Send-Off Concert: Ring of Fire
The Toronto Children's Chorus Chamber Choir will return to the McMichael to perform a special repertoire ahead of their appearance at Choral Canada’s national Podium Conference and Festival in Newfoundland and Labrador. The concert will feature music from such countries as Russia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada—nations linked by the unpredictable geological forces of the 'Ring of Fire.’
Canada Day Family Sunday
Come celebrate Canada Day at the McMichael! This family day engages the senses through various art workshops related to the exhibitions on view. Take part in the Family Printmaking Challenge happening throughout the day outside of Pine Cottage. Join a Family Tour at 1 pm in the gallery spaces animated by a McMichael docent, and watch a performance by the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band.
New Acquisitions
With its unique mandate to collect and celebrate the Art of Canada, the McMichael’s permanent collection is always growing. This is made possible largely by to the exceptional generosity of our donors. This exhibition showcases a selection of recent additions to the permanent collection, many on display for the first time.
Acoustic Conversations: Michie Mee
Michie Mee, Canada’s Queen of hip hop, and Big Tweeze in conversation about her rise to fame, the emergence of Toronto as a hip hop epicenter, and her various experiences navigating the recording industry. The conversation will be followed by a live performance.
Acoustic Conversations: Michie Mee
Michie Mee, Canada’s Queen of hip hop, and Big Tweeze in conversation about her rise to fame, the emergence of Toronto as a hip hop epicenter, and her various experiences navigating the recording industry. The conversation will be followed by a live performance.
Full Painting Studio
Instruction will be offered to artists working to refine their offerings in the subject of their choice—landscape, still life, figurative/portraiture, wildlife/pets—and in their individual style, be it realism or varying degrees of abstraction. Special attention will be given to basic drawing techniques, composition, colour, texture, use of materials and effective brushstrokes.
Break, Hop & Stomp Family Sunday
Celebrate dance with the famed KeepRockinYou, an artist-based b-girl collective that seeks to inspire and empower young girls. From 12 to 1 pm, join their “cypher practice”, try new moves or just enjoy watching them in action. A special hip hop dance performance will begin at 2 pm.
Beats2Borders Videography Workshop
In conjunction with the exhibition …Everything Remains Raw: Photographing Toronto’s Hip Hop Culture from Analogue to Digital, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection is pleased to present the Beats2Bordes Videography Workshop, a unique learning opportunity for youth aged 14 to 18. Led by photojournalist Juan Gomez, the workshop will cover essential videography techniques, including composition, lighting and shooting on location.
Graffiti Art Within the Hip Hop Movement
Speakers: Eklipz, EGR, Elicser, and Dr. Mark V. Campbell Since the late 1960s graffiti has been seen as a public nuisance and a problem in major cities like New York. More than 40 years later, cities are now embracing graffiti with their beautification programs. Join the esteemed graffiti artists, Eklipz, EGR and Elicser while they discuss the importance of street art, their creative practice, and how their aerosol hieroglyphics make urban spaces welcoming.
Figure Painting
Working with professional female and male models, Andrew will guide participants through the basics with simple yet effective exercises that will help them create a drawing or painting of the human figure. Andrew Sookrah will conduct demonstrations in various media styles with running commentary on the process.
David Milne: Modern Painting
This exhibition will document an artistic career that spanned the first half of the 20th century, bringing together more than ninety works in oil and watercolour, never-before-exhibited photographs and drawings by the artist, and memorabilia collected by Milne during his time in Europe as an official war artist.
Painting Studio
Topics covered include mastering perspective, reflections in water, patterns, texture, skies and clouds, dramatic light, depth and negative space, with special attention given to basic drawing techniques such as composition, colour, texture, and effective brushstrokes.