Posted : October 25, 2018
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
The Alton Mill Arts Centre
The historic Alton Mill Arts Centre is located in the village of Alton, nestled in the rolling hills of Caledon, Ontario, just fifty minutes northwest of downtown Toronto. With its unique blend of studios, galleries (Bartlett Gallery, Falls Gallery, Headwaters Arts Gallery, Paul Morin Gallery and Noodle Gallery), shops, café and event spaces in a stunning setting, the Alton Mill is a wonderful escape. Here you can discover the perfect piece of art, hand-crafted objects in clay, glass, wood or fibre, and exquisite jewellery.
Visit the Alton Mill Arts Centre
Enjoy the ambiance of a breathtakingly beautiful building and its fascinating heritage exhibit. Partake in an art class, take a hike in the woods, skate on the pond, or experience a delicious treat from the Gourmandissimo café.
The Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery
The story of the The Georgina Arts Centre (GACG) begins with a small group of local artists (Georgina has upwards of five hundred of them) who decided that they would like a place to show their work, a wall to hang their latest paintings and have them admired, or at least seen by other art enthusiasts. They also wanted a place where children could find tuition in the visual arts, because they believed that art is an essential part of life, and that children should grow up with it.
Visit the Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery
The Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery has an extensive Permanent Collection in-house of over 530 original works of art, which include Albert Chiarandini, Bruce Smith, Kay Murray Weber, York Wilson and Tom Zsolt. While the GACG may look humble from the outside, it holds a treasure trove well worth a visit.
Meet the Maker: Ewa Chwojko-Srawley
Curator, Georgina Art Centre & Gallery
Ewa is a trained art historian who enjoys delighting visitors to the small but mighty Georgina Arts Centre & Gallery (GACG). Happily ensconced in the vibrant Georgina arts scene, Ewa curates exhibits that feature works in a variety of media – including art by local Ojibway artists and indigenous artists from across Canada.
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is a vibrant and engaging art gallery dedicated to sharing and protecting the stories of our communities through art, shared authority, education, and engagement. Their mission is work together with our communities to create conversations through the arts that encourage people to experience the world differently and foster experimentation and risk taking.
Visit the Robert McLaughlin Gallery
The RMG houses a permanent collection of over 4500 works, The Thomas Bouckley Collection, an art library and archives.
Dragonfly Arts on Broadway
In the heart of Downtown Orangeville, Dragonfly Arts on Broadway displays the works of over 200 Canadian artists, with an emphasis on local talent. A visit to Dragonfly often includes meeting studio artists and watching their creative process.
Visit Dragonfly Arts on Broadway
You will find one-of-a-kind paintings by Canadian artists as well as jewellery, pottery, glass, wood and any other unique creation you can think of.
Station Gallery
Station Gallery is a non-profit public art gallery, open seven days a week, and free to visit! They offer art classes for all ages and abilities, engaging exhibitions, family art days and fun community events. The gallery came to by a group of passionate art enthusiasts in Whitby, operating under the name Whitby Arts Incorporated.
In 1969, the group, supported by interested volunteers and benefactors, purchased Whitby’s Grand Trunk Railway Station, which had been slated for demolition. The station was saved from being torn down and moved to Henry and Victoria Streets in 1970. The name Station Gallery was adopted to reflect the heritage of the building. Be sure to stop in and check out the beautiful architecture of both the new and heritage exhibition spaces.
Museum of Dufferin
At the Museum of Dufferin (MoD) you will find an eclectic mix of exhibits and special events as well as a collection of over 10,000 artifacts relating to Dufferin County and the people who were born, lived in or contributed to the region. Highlights include a collection over 200 historic quilts, the W. J. Hughes Corn Flower Glass collection as well as paintings, textiles, toys, agricultural tools, sports equipment and objects related to local businesses and institutions.
The Archives at the MoD hold over 1000 family history files and documents. There are over 7000 photographs in their collection, as well as thousands of archival documents, newspapers, maps, church records, and diaries; their online portal “Dufferin Genealogy” is a gateway to over 20,000 archival resources.
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael is located in the charming Village of Kleinburg, approximately 30 minutes from the city of Toronto. The story of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection begins in 1952, when Robert and Signe McMichael purchased ten acres of land in the village of Kleinburg, Ontario. Architect Leo Venchiarutti designed the McMichael’s original home in 1954. Moved by the natural environment, the McMichaels began collecting works of art by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, artists who also drew inspiration from the natural landscape. In 1965, the McMichaels donated their collection, as well as their home and land to the Province of Ontario.
Visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection stands alone as the only publicly funded fine art gallery in the nation that focuses on Canadian art and the Indigenous art of our country. The permanent collection consists of over 6,500 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and contemporary artists who have contributed to the development of Canadian art. Their grounds have over 100 acres of stunning woodland trails perfect for walkers, hikers, naturalists, and mountain bikers.
A Gift of Art
A Gift of Art is passionately working to promote appreciation, enjoyment and growth of art in Clarington. It is an art gallery, a gift shop, and a teaching facility for local artists and residents, all in one. A Gift of Art invites anyone who appreciates art to drop by and browse through our collection or sign up for a totally accessible workshop or class.
