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October 18, 2024 August 15, 2025

Test Kitchen: A Museum Project


What’s On / Exhibitions / Test Kitchen: A Museum Project

On now
Exhibition Hall. 3rd Floor

The Gardiner is currently undergoing a full-scale reimagining of our ground floor, a major transformation that includes the re-installation of a significant part the collection. Inspired by the metaphor of the test kitchen as a space of experimentation, collaboration, and participation in the museum, Test Kitchen: A Museum Project is part exhibition, part workshop, and part ideas generator.

As we reimagine our collections galleries, we’re asking ourselves how we can better explore ceramics of the past and present and tell new stories. Test Kitchen opens up this process, which usually happens behind closed doors, making museum work more transparent and inviting visitors to collaborate through a series of hands-on activities. Throughout, visitors are encouraged to observe closely, make, discuss, and offer feedback while exploring the nature of museum work.


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid


Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

Upcoming Programs


Join us for special exhibition programs including talks, tours, and more!

A father and his two children sculpting with clay

Family Day


Every Sunday
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Create your own air-dry clay tiles and decorate them with designs inspired by the themes and collections in the exhibition.
Learn more
Hands of someone making a vessel on the pottery wheel

Test Kitchen: Free Wednesday Night


Jan 22, Feb 26, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 14 2025
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

As part of free Wednesday nights, explore the special exhibition Test Kitchen: A Museum Project and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the inner working of the Museum and the creative process, including a live pottery demo.
Learn more
A wood wall with a graphic depicting the silhouette of an object and a window in a storage area with ceramic objects on shelves

Test Kitchen Tour & Object Handling


Jan 28 2025 @ 6:00 pm

Join us for a unique and intimate tour of Test Kitchen: A Museum Project and object handling session with Senior Curator Dr. Karine Tsoumis and Collections Manager Christina MacDonald.
Learn more
A glass case filled with a variety of contemporary ceramic figures

From the Ground Up: Test Kitchen Tour & Community Dialogue


Feb 18 2025 @ 6:00 pm

Join Chief Curator Dr. Sequoia Miller for an exclusive tour of Test Kitchen followed by a hands-on clay session.
Learn more
A wood wall with a graphic depicting the silhouette of an object and a window in a storage area with ceramic objects on shelves

Test Kitchen Tour & Object Handling


Mar 4 2025 @ 6:00 pm

Join us for a unique and intimate tour of Test Kitchen: A Museum Project and object handling session with Senior Curator Dr. Karine Tsoumis and Collections Manager Christina MacDonald.
Learn more
A glass case filled with a variety of contemporary ceramic figures

From the Ground Up: Test Kitchen Tour & Community Dialogue


Mar 27 2025 @ 6:00 pm

Join Chief Curator Dr. Sequoia Miller for an exclusive tour of Test Kitchen followed by a hands-on clay session.
Learn more
A wood wall with a graphic depicting the silhouette of an object and a window in a storage area with ceramic objects on shelves

Test Kitchen Tour & Object Handling


Apr 29 2025 @ 6:00 pm

Join us for a unique and intimate tour of Test Kitchen: A Museum Project and object handling session with Senior Curator Dr. Karine Tsoumis and Collections Manager Christina MacDonald.
Learn more

Past Programs


A glass case filled with a variety of contemporary ceramic figures

From the Ground Up: Test Kitchen Tour & Community Dialogue


Nov 21 2024 @ 6:00 pm

Join Chief Curator Dr. Sequoia Miller for an exclusive tour of Test Kitchen followed by a hands-on clay session.
Learn more
Indigenous belogings including pottery and textiles suspended in a glass case

Virtual Lecture: Radical Dreaming / Sueño radical


Nov 21 2024 @ 12:00 pm

Francesca Hebert-Spence, Curator of Indigenous Ceramics at the Gardiner Museum, and Mapuche artist Francisco Huichaqueo come together for a bilingual conversation to discuss the complexities of being “Indigenous curators.”
Learn more
Three Italian Renaissance maiolica pharmacy jars

Test Kitchen Highlight Tour & Herbal Tea Blending Workshop


Dec 3 2024 @ 6:00 pm

Join us for a tour of Test Kitchen: A Museum Project led by Senior Curator Dr. Karine Tsoumis followed by a hands-on tea blending activity inspired by the albarelli, or pharmacy jars, featured in the exhibition.
Learn more
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The Gardiner Museum will close at 6 pm on Wednesday May 22 for the International Ceramic Art Fair Preview Gala.