maclarenARTcentre
37 Mulcaster Street L4M 3M2 Barrie, ON, Canada

Art-loving kids are invited to join us for exciting week-long camps happening throughout July and August! These virtual programs for children ages 3 to 14 will deliver the usual MacLaren art camp experience, with hands-on activities led in real time by professional artists from our region. Sign-up early to guarantee your child's spot!

https://maclarenart.com/p/from-life-online-with-jill-price/ Here is the link to join a wonderful group of artists on Tuesday nights as we explore the human body from different perspectives. See the amazing example of works created from prompts and exercises during our spring session.

Did you the MacLaren has a wealth of free downloadable art activities for youth and families? Try one of these boredom-busting projects and turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory! All you need are materials commonly found at home. For youth: https://bit.ly/3tueObU For families: https://bit.ly/33iy4yy

"everything she inspires remains, belongs to light" reimagines a canon in which Black women’s artistic labour is as valued and commemorated as the work of their contemporaries. Though we're currently closed to the public, you can now explore this exhibition with a series of programs offered entirely online! In addition to a virtual presentation of select works and installation views, an essay by acclaimed curator and writer Daisy Desrosiers illuminates the themes and subject matter explored by the artist. Don't miss a live interview between DeFreitas and Desrosiers hosted via Zoom on January 23 at 2 pm. View the virtual exhibition: http://ow.ly/Vcsm50DeYj5

UPlift Black Art and Artists. Check out the current exhibition at maclarenARTcentre: Erika DeFreitas everything she inspires remains, belongs to light December... 11 to March 14, 2021 Gallery 3 Curator: Emily McKibbon Zoom Q&A with Erika DeFreitas and Daisy Desrosiers: January 23, 2021 at 2:00 pm Erika DeFreitas is a Scarborough-based artist whose practice includes the use of performance, photography, video, installation, textiles, works on paper, and writing. Placing an emphasis on process, gesture, the body, documentation, and paranormal phenomena, she works through attempts to understand concepts of loss, post-memory, inheritance, and objecthood. DeFreitas’ work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She was the recipient of the TFVA 2016 Finalist Artist Prize, the 2016 John Hartman Award, and longlisted for the 2017 Sobey Art Award. DeFreitas holds a Master of Visual Studies from the University of Toronto.

Virtual Family Sundays are now FREE for all families! We have temporarily revised our Virtual Family Sundays program so that all activities can be completed using materials commonly found at home. Join us on Zoom each week for new creative projects designed to inspire some family fun during lockdown. Ideal for those with children ages 3 to 8 years. Those interested must register for each Sunday afternoon workshop by Friday at noon.... Up next: Splashes of Colour January 24, 2021, 1:30 to 3 pm In this experimental watercolour painting workshop, families will explore texture and pattern to create an abstract masterpiece using masking tape, oil pastel/crayon, salt, and dish soap. Register online at http://ow.ly/2Z9k50DcJgI

We are delighted that MacLaren Access Art was the topic of discussion on Kelly and Company, AMI-audio's daily live afternoon podcast! Thanks for spreading the word as we begin this new pilot program. We're excited that you're excited, and we can't wait to share more about MacLaren Access Art as time goes on. Stay tuned! Accessible Media Inc.

Our November #ArtoftheMonth is Beginning, 1987 by Rita Letendre. Acting Director/ Senior Curator Emily McKibbon writes: "...we set our clocks back an hour as we prepare for winter and what will likely be months of physical distancing and uncertainty. The symbolic weight of the time changeshorter days, longer nights, and a retreat from the outside world where infection is less likelyweighs heavily this year. In contrast, Beginning reminds me of the sun that now rises as I br...ew my coffee and start my day, with the velvet darkness of a fall morning breaking up against the provocation of dawn. Noting that she uses deep blacks and dark pigments in her paintings of light, here as in other works, Letendre states: black is not a danger; the colour and light are fighting it and winning. You don’t accept darkness, you pass through it and you win. Click below to read the full article.

During Art Auction, we're asking our staff and community to share which artworks they're loving in this year's catalogue! Today we bring you the top pick by Barrie Public Art Committee Chair, Carol-Ann Ryan: "My pick for the 2020 MacLaren Art Auction is Wye River, Fall by Rod Prouse. I have selected this piece because it is a visually stunning mixed-media work by an established regional artist. Prouse is known for his lively landscapes and this piece is no exception. Gestural marks and deep fall tones capture the scene, offering a rich composition that will bring years of enjoyment to its lucky owner. Moreover, the artwork chosen for an auction invitation is always highly coveted, so bid now!"

Special thanks to Lori & Nemo from Art in Bloem Wedding and Event Design, one of our preferred wedding florists and decorators. Contact them to bring home your very own holiday creation!

Hello friends, our Get Hooked: Art Auction Online Facebook event page has recently been the target of some spam messages. If you see any content that looks suspicious, please DO NOT like, comment, share or click on any links. The only official links associated with this event are: Art Auction Portal: https://givergy.ca/maclarenart Closing Night Event YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1KuKTWgzHo&feature=youtu.be... Closing Night Event Rogers Stream: https://rogerstv.com/home?lid=14&rid=23 Our settings have been updated to prevent these kinds of comments. We apologize to everyone for this!

A unique work by artist Jeanette Luchese up for bid in our Get Hooked: Art Auction Online. Don't miss out - visit www.givergy.ca/maclarenart

We're thrilled to be nominated for an OAAG/AOGA Award in the category of Best Exhibition with a Budget under $20k. Congratulations to our Acting Director/ Senior Curator Emily McKibbon!

Art Auction is live at www.givergy.ca/maclarenart! You can now preview the entire catalogue of items and bid virtually from anywhere, at any time, up until 7:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 27.

"I really enjoyed spending Saturday's class with Rachel MacFarlane and also with the other participants. Rachel was so well prepared and explained her process clearly. I enjoyed using my own image for the painting and actually making a plan before jumping into the work. I plan to use some of her suggestions in the future. Thanks, Rachel!" Marilyn Black, program participant Discover your own creativity with new virtual art experiences at the MacLaren. Visit: http://ow.ly/ptzC50Cn4Mz

Exciting news! We're beyond thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Karen Carter. With her experience, we know Karen will do amazing things in our community and all of us at the MacLaren are delighted to have her on our team. Welcome aboard, Karen!