In 2017, The Gardiner welcomed new initiatives, partnerships, and patrons, building on our successes from 2016. Here’s a look back at some of our most memorable moments.

We began 2017 with Janet Macpherson: A Canadian Bestiary, an exhibition commissioned to celebrate Canada 150 that explored our unique Canadian history through four immersive, thought-provoking installations. Praised for its “depth of care and thought” by the Toronto Star, it was also featured by CBC Arts and The Globe and Mail, and was a finalist for an Ontario Association of Art Galleries Award.

Janet Macpherson: A Canadian Bestiary, 2017. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

Migration (detail), Janet Macpherson, 2017. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

North of North, Janet Macpherson, 2017. Photo: Lisa Sakulensky

In spring, we revealed the transformed lobby and Gardiner Shop, along with the new Laura Dinner and Richard Rooney Community Clay Studio. Located in the lobby, the Community Clay Studio has allowed us to expand our clay classes and Family Sunday activities, as well as introduce new art therapy initiatives and an artist-in-residence program, which will be announced in early 2018.

The opening night of the new Laura Dinner and Richard Rooney Community Clay Studio

In summer 2017, we launched the second edition of the Community Arts Space. The Museum was transformed by local artists and community leaders, who engaged visitors with over thirty free hands-on crafting workshops, live performances, screenings, and exhibitions. The project attracted diverse audiences, including many first-time Gardiner visitors.

Visitors participating in Waterloo Architecture’s What Makes a Space a Place? project

Artist presentation by Aanchal Malhotra, part of August Fröhl’s Portable Stories programming.

A guest in Collecting Personal Archives, an exhibition by soJin Chun in collaboration with The Truth & Dare Project

In June, the Young Patrons Circle hosted SMASH: Voyeur*ish, an interactive art party that combined human curiosity with art installations, entertainment, food, drinks, and more. The sold-out event was featured in HELLO! Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and Fashion Magazine.

Performance by Miracles at SMASH: Voyeur*sh. Photo: George Pimentel Photography

Performance by Rodney Diverlus at SMASH: Voyeur*sh. Photo: George Pimentel Photography

In October, we celebrated the 25^th anniversary of Empty Bowls, an evening in support of Anishnawbe Health Toronto. Guests enjoyed delicious soups prepared by some of Toronto’s top chefs and served in one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted bowls donated by local potters. Anishnawbe Health Toronto also announced that they will be naming the kitchen in their new Indigenous Health Centre building in honour of the Gardiner.

Empty Bowls 2017. Photo: Rose Ha

Also in October, we debuted a much-anticipated retrospective of works by Canadian artist Steven Heinemann. Called “a deeply satisfying retrospective of Canada’s most artful ceramicist” by The Globe & Mail, Steven Heinemann: Culture and Nature is an intimate, contemplative exhibition that highlights Heinemann’s relationship with clay over the years.

Steven Heinemann: Culture and Nature, 2017. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

The 12 Trees Gala, our annual holiday fundraiser, was a sold-out success, welcoming over 300 guests who got a first look at the 12 Trees exhibition, curated by Canadian author and artist Douglas Coupland and Ben Mills of Public Art Management. This year’s artists put a light-inspired, contemporary spin on the Gardiner’s holiday tradition, and a glowing 42-foot white spruce in front of the Museum, decorated by Presenting Sponsor Nordstrom, has been illuminating Queen’s Park since it was delivery by Forests Ontario in November. There’s still time to visit the exhibition before it closes in the New Year.

Guests enjoying the light show at the 12 Trees Gala. Photo: George Pimentel Photography

The Nordstrom Tree

2017 also marked the launch of our first ever mindfulness classes. Focused on finding calm through clay, every class so far has sold out, and the program has been added to our regular roster of adult clay classes.

In 2018, we’re looking forward to a major exhibition by Yoko Ono, opening in February, and the installation of a new sculpture on our front plaza by Shary Boyle, winner of the Gardiner’s Sculpture Competition in 2016. Thank you to all who visited and supported us in 2017.

Best wishes for the holidays, and see you in the New Year!

Sincerely,

Kelvin Browne
Executive Director & CEO