Celebrating Creativity: Art by Our Visitors | See more on Flickr...
Sheila Stewart on ivory female figure (Audio)
April 25th, 2010
Unknown artist, Old Bering Sea Culture or Thule, Bering Strait, Alaska. Female Figure, date unknown. Ivory, 6.1cm. Gift of the Klamer Family, 1978 © Art Gallery of Ontario
Working from the concept of ekphrasis, one art form paying homage to another, poet Sheila Stewart created and presents a new poem in response to an ivory carving of a female figure from the AGO’s collection.
Recorded: September 29, 2009 @ Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 5:54
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One-of-a-kind Artisan Pieces – available only in store!
April 23rd, 2010
Philospher’s Stone Art vases, Coffretier D’Art wooden caskanets; Deborah Gibbs pottery, L’atelier Tréma clay pears
Maciej Dyszkiewicz art glass, June Pham art glass
Weston Family Learning Centre Update
April 21st, 2010
Plans for the Weston Family Learning Centre are moving forward. The schematic design should be complete by the end of this month, with construction beginning in June.
First and foremost the desire is to create a beautiful space to welcome the community. In addition, five goals will help to realize the centre’s vision: functionality (durability for large groups); flexibility (maximizing spaces and program opportunities); accessibility (providing a feeling of welcome); integration (offering direct connection to the galleries); and transparency (inviting visitors behind the scenes).
"The Weston Family Learning Centre heralds the potential of a social hub for community creativity and learning," said Kelly McKinley, director, Education and Public Programming. "Through direct and hands-on encounters with art, artists and the creative process in a studio setting, people from across our city and province will experience the power of art to transform how we understand ourselves and our world."
The physical space of the area will include a dedicated entrance and lobby; an education commons to house cloakroom and picnic area for schools; an artist-in-residence studio; the open-concept Gallery School, a headquarters for Teens-Behind-the-Scenes; and state-of-the-art seminar rooms.
The Weston Family Learning Centre was first announced in September 2008 following on a lead gift of $12 million from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. The gift included $10 million toward capital costs for the Learning Centre and $2 million toward an endowment to be named the Weston Family Teacher Training Fund – the AGO’s first education program endowment.
The project got a second major boost last month when the Government of Canada announced a $7.5 million funding contribution to the capital expansion project from its Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The AGO will undertake a fundraising campaign to continue building endowment funds for education programming and other attributes for the Weston Family Learning Centre.
Maureen Hynes on Rebecca Belmore (Audio)
April 21st, 2010
TONIGHT: Poets Spell Art
Please join us at the AGO tonight, Wednesday April 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in celebration of International Poetry Month. Toronto poet laureate Dionne Brand invites authors George Eliot Clarke, Lynne Crosbie, Daniel David Moses and Souvankham Thamavongsa, to join her in reading poems inspired by pieces from the AGO’s collection.
Rebecca Belmore. Rising to the Occasion, 1987 – 1991. Mixed media, 2.0 x 1.2 x 1.2 cm. Gift from the Junior Volunteer Committee, 1995 © Art Gallery of Ontario
Working from the concept of ekphrasis, one art form paying homage to another, poet Maureen Hynes created and presents a new poem in response to an artwork by Rebecca Belmore from the AGO’s collection.
Recorded: September 29, 2009 @ Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 6:00
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Maureen Scott Harris on Nelson’s Catafalque (Audio)
April 19th, 2010
Unknown artist, made in Great Britain, probably by French sailors, early 19th century. Three-decker 100 Gun Warship, Victory (used as a funerary catafalque for Vice-Admiral Nelson), Prisoner of War Model, c. 1806. wood (variety), varnished; copper and copper alloy; mica, 28.5 x 11.0 x 42.0 cm. The Thomson Collection © Art Gallery of Ontario
Working from the concept of ekphrasis, one art form paying homage to another, poet Maureen Scott Harris created and presents a new poem in response to an 19th century ship model from the AGO’s collection.
Recorded: September 29, 2009 @ Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 7:36
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Upcoming Event: Poets Spell Art
Please join us at the AGO on Wednesday April 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in celebration of International Poetry Month. Toronto poet laureate Dionne Brand invites authors George Eliot Clarke, Lynne Crosbie, Daniel David Moses and Souvankham Thamavongsa, to join her in reading poems inspired by pieces from the AGO’s collection.
Patria Rivera on Camille Pissarro (Audio)
April 17th, 2010
Camille Jacob Pissarro. Printemps, temps gris, Eragny, 1895. Oil on canvas, 60.2 x 73.2 cm. Purchase, 1933 © Art Gallery of Ontario
Recorded: September 29, 2009 @ Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 7:24
Working from the concept of ekphrasis, one art form paying homage to another, poet Patria Rivera created and presents a new poem in response a painting by Camille Pissarro from the AGO’s collection.
Click to play:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Upcoming Event: Poets Spell Art
Please join us at the AGO on Wednesday April 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in celebration of International Poetry Month. Toronto poet laureate Dionne Brand invites authors George Eliot Clarke, Lynne Crosbie, Daniel David Moses and Souvankham Thamavongsa, to join her in reading poems inspired by pieces from the AGO’s collection.
Anubis says goodbye to Ontario, thanks us for the memories
April 16th, 2010
Last month the AGO said good bye to Anubis as he made his way to his new home in New York City.
Thanks to the good people of Ontario, Anubis now has a full suitcase of clothes and a life time of memories about his time with us in Toronto. Some highlights included: carrying the Olympic torch, playing for the Raptors, getting married at Case Loma and ice fishing in Northern Ontario. He wanted to say a great big thank to everyone for all of their help and he’ll see you in the underworld.
A big congrats to Alan M for winning the King Tut tickets! To see all the entries, visit the Flickr Pool.
The AGO’s King Tut exhibition has been extended to May 2, 2010.
Sunday Concert: Darrett Zusko
April 16th, 2010
The AGO is partnering with the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) to host Sunday afternoon concerts in the Gallery’s Walker Court, where talented RCM students present weekly performances.
This Sunday marks the last concert in this spring's series, and features Darrett Zusko on piano.
Frequently engaged by a number of today’s leading symphonic ensembles including the Cincinnati, Montréal, and Toronto Symphony Orchestras, in addition to the Ottawa Symphony, Niagara Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic under the batons of JoAnn Falletta, Jacques Lacombe, Erich Kunzel, Victor Feldbrill and John Morris Russell to name only but a few, Mr. Zusko is fast becoming one of Canada’s most sought-after soloists.
Concerts are held from 1:30 to 2:15 pm, and are free with admission.
Grange Park Annual Spring Cleanup: April 23 2010
April 15th, 2010
It’s that time of year again! Join the staff and volunteers of the AGO, OCAD and University Settlement at the annual spring cleanup of Grange Park on Friday, April 23, from 2 to 4 pm. This year, we’re really going to take on the challenge and dedicate two hours to the cleanup.
We will gather by University Settlement (at the south end of the park) to distribute gloves and garbage bags. The City Parks department will also lend us a few rakes and some paper bags to clear up the dead leaves – this will make a big difference!
The spring clean-up of Grange Park is part of Mayor Miller’s Toronto Makeover initiated by the Mayor’s Clean and Beautiful City campaign.
Ruth Pierson on Louise Nevelson (Audio)
April 15th, 2010
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Louise Nevelson. Night Zag IV, 1965. painted wood; mirrored glass; plexiglass; arborite, 235 cm. Purchase, 1968 © Art Gallery of Ontario
Recorded: September 29, 2009 @ Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Duration: 6:22
Working from the concept of ekphrasis, one art form paying homage to another, poet Ruth Pierson created and presents a new poem in response to a sculpture by Louise Nevelson from the AGO’s collection.
Upcoming Event: Poets Spell Art
Please join us at the AGO on Wednesday April 21, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in celebration of International Poetry Month.
Toronto poet laureate Dionne Brand invites authors George Eliot Clarke, Lynne Crosbie, Daniel David Moses and Souvankham Thamavongsa, to join her in reading poems inspired by pieces from the AGO’s collection.
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AGO Podcasts
Features recordings of AGO events, discussion with artists, analysis of works and exhibitions, and original material created exclusively for this podcast. Subscribe today!
Art of the Day
“Did you know that the Art Gallery of Ontario has a Tumblr? It is called Art of the Day and it features, shockingly, a new piece of art every day. Also, it is pretty.” — Torontoist
What's On at the AGO
A playlist highlighting recent and upcoming events at the Gallery.
Art, Artists and Ideas
A playlist featuring artists, curators and other encounters with Art.
King Tut Podcast
Discover objects from King Tut, the Golden King and Great Pharaoh with David Silverman, Curator of the exhibition
Edward Steichen Exhibition Microsite
This online exhibition features galleries of high-quality images, audio guides, and in-depth analysis.
Image: Actress Joan Bennett, 1928 (detail). Gelatin silver print. Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York. © 1928 Condé Nast Publications.
Beautiful Fictions Audio Tour
See the late 1960s to the present through the lens of 60 Canadian and international photographers. Bring this podcast along on your next AGO visit!
Image: Axel Hutte, Audubon Swamp, 2005, chromogenic print. © Axel Hutte and Schirmer/Mosel, 2009
The Thomson Collection of Ship Models Audio Tour
Join Simon Stephens, curator at the National Maritime Museum in London, England, as he guides listeners through the world of British ship models spanning 350 years.
Image: Troop Landing Craft, Georgian Model; made in Great Britain; around 1755 - 1760; wood, painted and varnished; metal (including iron and copper), painted; 16.0 x 36.0 x 42.0 cm; The Thomson Collection © Art Gallery of Ontario
Director's Highlights Audio Tour
Join Matthew Teitelbaum as he talks about the art and architecture that he finds the most interesting and engaging.
Image: AGO Photographer Sean Weaver © 2008 Art Gallery of Ontario
Collection X: Indian Church
This online exhibition examines the Indian Church as a symbol for the rapid encroachment of Western modernity on First Nations.
Image: Arthur Renwick, Canadian, born 1965, Nlaka'pamux BC (left), Git'ksan BC (right), 2005, archival inkjet print, edition 1/5, Collection of the artist, courtesy of Leo Kamen Gallery © 2007 Arthur Renwick
Collection X: Come Away With Me: Japan, China and Hong Kong, 1890s
Through this selection of images, you will encounter a typical travel album of its day, at a particular moment of cultural upheaval and exchange.
Unknown photographer (active China, 1890s), From the album Views of Japan, China and Hong Kong, 1870s–1890s, albumen print, 21.3 x 26.5 cm, [2007/275.46], Art Gallery of Ontario, Gift of Neil B. Cole, 2007, © 2009 Art Gallery of Ontario
Collection X: Come Away With Me: European Travels
This exhibition explores a personal travel album, which charts a trip through several European cities during the spring and summer of 1936.
German photographer, Album: European Travels (detail), around 1936, 16 gelatin silver prints in a 48-page cloth- and paper-bound album, album: 12.7 x 15.8 x 2.3 cm; prints: 8.8 x 11.8 cm, [103545.a03], Art Gallery of Ontario, Gift of David Moore and Ross Winter / Camera Lucida, 2007 © 2009 Art Gallery of Ontario
Collection X: The Art of Collection Building
This exhibition explores the evolution of the print and drawing collection through the personalities, artworks and stories that make it unique.
Image: François Boucher (French, 1703 - 1770), Young Country Girl Dancing (Detail), c1765 - 70, black, red and white chalks and stump on buff laid paper, 46.2 x 29.2 cm. Art Gallery of Ontario, Purchased as a gift of The Salamander Foundation and the Marvin Gelber Fund with a generous grant from the Department of canadian heritage on the recommendation of the canadian Cultural property Export review Board under the terms of the Cultural property Export and Import Act, 1998 © 2009 Art Gallery of Ontario
Slideshow: Isaak Massa - A Man of the World
Isaak Massa ( 1586–1643) was a self-made businessman, diplomat, map-maker and author from the Netherlands. Massa commissioned three portraits from Frans Hals, who was a close friend.
Slideshow: Childhood to Old Age
Could this young girl of four already be engaged? Her ring, the little statue (symbol of fertility), the carnations, the fan and the peacock (symbol of Juno, goddess of child- birth) all refer to love and marriage.