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AGO lights up this winter with artist talks, performances, artmaking and Black History Month programs

Caribbean artists take center stage during Black History Month, featuring music by Sharon Marley, OKAN Musica and Suzette Vidale

KAWS returns to Toronto for a one-night-only book signing March 1 

TORONTO — This winter, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) presents an exciting line up of artist talks, screenings, performances, and artmaking experiences, designed to bring us together artfully. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive discounts on workshops, courses, screenings, and talks. For a full list of courses and programs, visit events. For more information on how to become a Member or Annual Pass holder, visit tickets.ago.ca/join.

February is Black History Month and we are celebrating! Inspired by the exhibition Life Between Islands, the AGO features programs focused on Black creatives all month. For a complete list of all Black History Month events, visit AGO.ca/events/black-history-month-ago.

“Celebrating Black culture is something we do year-round. This February the AGO joins other cultural partners in amplifying stories from Black communities to showcase a superb array of art and ideas,” said Audrey Hudson, AGO Richard & Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education & Programming. “The AGO is delighted to present accessible and thought-provoking opportunities for audiences to come together around learning, curiosity and artmaking.”

Winter 2024 programming highlights:

Talks

  • On Wednesday, February 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., AGO archivist Al Stanton-Hagan and Rosamond Ivey Special Collections Archivist and Head, Library & Archives, Amy Marshall Furness lead an introduction to archival research. In this informative and interactive workshop, participants can learn what’s in archival collections, how to start research projects, and what to expect from a visit to the archives. This free workshop is open to all.  To register and for more information, visit AGO.ca/events/workshop-introduction-archival-research.
     
  • On Wednesday, February 28 at 7 p.m., British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové joins AGO Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora, Julie Crooks in conversation about his art practice and its connection with Carnival, Trinidad, and the African Diaspora. Presented in Baillie Court in conjunction with Life Between Islands: Caribbean-British Art, 1950s-Now. For tickets and more details, visit AGO.ca/events/zak-ove-conversation.
     
  • On Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m., join legendary dancer, choreographer, and Keith Haring collaborator Bill T. Jones in conversation with the AGO’s Curator of Canadian Art Georgiana Uhlyarik in Baillie Court. Presented in conjunction with Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody. For tickets and more information, visit AGO.ca/events/choreographer-bill-t.-jones-conversation.
     
  • On Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. join AGO’s Associate Curator of European Art Adam Harris Levine in conversation with Suzanne van de Meerendonk, the Bader Curator of European Art, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University in Jackman Hall as they discuss Rembrandt, his peers, and questions of attribution. For details about the exhibition Painting Presence: Rembrandt and his peers and to book tickets, visit AGO.ca/events/curators-talk-what-makes-rembrandt.

AGO Friday Nights
Spend Friday nights at the AGO as we stay open until 9 p.m. AGO Friday Nights is included in General Admission, which is always free for Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members, Annual Pass holders and visitors aged 25 and under.

Screenings

  • On Saturday, February 10 at 2 p.m., Stuart Samuel’s 2013 documentary RasTa: A Soul's Journey comes to Jackman Hall. An epic journey across eight countries, the film follows Donisha Prendergast, Rita and Bob Marley's granddaughter, as she explores the roots of the Rastafari. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Donisha Prendergast and her mother Sharon Marley. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. To book tickets, visit AGO.ca/events/rasta-souls-journey.

Valentine's Day Kiki Vogue Ball x Keith Haring 
On Wednesday, February 14 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in partnership with Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance, AGO Youth presents Kiki Vogue Ball x Keith Haring in Walker Court, a one-night only celebration of Keith Haring and queer love, marking the 33rd anniversary of the artists passing. This event is free and suitable for all ages. For more details, visit AGO.ca/events/kiki-vogue-ball-x-keith-haring

KAWS: FAMILY book signing 
On Friday, March 1 from 7 to 9 p.m., KAWS returns to the AGO for a one-night-only book signing event. Arriving at shopAGO in mid-February, KAWS: FAMILY is a 156 page fully-illustrated celebration of the KAWS: FAMILY exhibition featuring an essay by Julian Cox, AGO Deputy Director and Chief Curator and an artist interview with Jim Shedden, Curator, Special Projects and Director, Publications. The signing will be limited to two hours and books will be signed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Book must be purchased at shopAGO, limit one per customer. Note: the artist will not be signing any other books or objects. For more information, visit AGO.ca/events/kaws-family-book-signing.

Foodways Chef Series: Inspired by Keith Haring 
An exclusive dining experience that connects the storytelling of art and lived experience of our guest chef, the AGO’s Foodways Chef Series returns January 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a self-guided tour of Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody and a Haring-inspired curated prix fixe dinner, led by Toronto chef Eric MacDonald. Tickets are $75 per person, or $115 for dinner and wine pairings and include access to the exhibition.  For more details, visit AGO.ca/events/foodways-chef-series-inspired-keith-haring.

Seniors Social 
Seniors Social, the AGO’s dedicated artmaking and conversation monthly series for older adults returns in person and online this winter. AGO Members receive a discount.

Yoga in the Gallery
Beginning January 27 at 11 a.m., and continuing monthly, join instructor Karmit Ifrah for yoga in Galleria Italia. Open to all ages and skill levels, these gentle Hatha yoga sessions promote balance, strength, flexibility, and stillness in the mind. AGO Members and Annual Pass holders receive a discount. For full schedule and to register, visit AGO.ca/events/yoga-gallery

Explore the Marvin Gelber Print & Drawing Study Centre Vaults and Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives 

Studio Courses
Adult studio art courses continue this winter at the Anne Tanenbaum Gallery School. Browse over 80 course offerings all inspired by the AGO Collection. Registration is now open for all winter courses at AGO.ca/learn/courses-and-workshops. AGO Members receive a discount on courses. Course highlights include:

  • Beginning Thursday, January 11 at 2 p.m., Drawing in the Galleries offers participants the opportunity to learn to draw in a museum setting. Explore a different area of the museum each week through drawing exercises, observation, and discussion. Open to all skill levels, participants must supply their own materials. To register and for more details, visit AGO.ca/learn/courses/drawing-galleries-0
     
  • Beginning Wednesday, February 7 at 6 p.m., explore Architectural Photography in a four-week course, inspired by the art of Arnold Newman. Open to all skill levels, participants are required to have knowledge of basic photography skills and are required to bring their own DSLR cameras for each class, along with their camera manuals for instructional assistance. To register and for more details visit AGO.ca/learn/courses/architectural-photography
     

Acknowledgements

Generous Support for the Bill T. Jones talk provided by
The Balsillie Family Foundation

ABOUT THE AGO
Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting-edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists to European masterpieces. The AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs, including solo exhibitions and acquisitions by diverse and underrepresented artists from around the world. The AGO is committed to being welcoming and accessible: admission is free for anyone under 25 years, and anyone can purchase an annual pass for $35. In 2022, the AGO began the design phase of an expansion project intended to increase exhibition space for the museum’s growing modern and contemporary collection. When construction begins in 2024, it will be the seventh expansion that the AGO has undertaken since it was founded in 1900.  Visit AGO.ca to learn more.

The AGO is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Additional operating support is received from the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, and generous contributions from AGO Members, donors, and private-sector partners.

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